The breakfast fights on Saturday morning are good to have an excuse to go flying. These morning flights have been a bit cool at the start or at civil dawn, but in general the temperatures have been a bit warmer than normal. Let’s hope this isn’t a harbinger of what’s to come as the months move closer to summer. Anyway, in any event, let’s go flying.
I strongly suspect that many of you may not care very much about what’s happening at Mesa Falcon Field, but we in APA are very concerned that many of the negative things that are happening will also happen to many of the airports in the Phoenix area and possibly slop over to other airports in the state. Most of the airports in the state belong to the Arizona Airport Association, and what is happening at Falcon Field is no doubt a major item of discussion. The introduction of Landing Fees has been presented to the group some time ago, and it appears that some airports are “on the fence” about the issue. It is our concern that if Falcon Field imposes landing fees, or significantly increased fees, other airports in the state may view this as an opportunity to do the same. This item will be on the Mesa City Council Agenda on March 23 at 5:45 pm in the City Hall, located at 20 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ. Comments will be heard, and we urge pilots and Falcon Field tenants attend, and express their opinion. Note: Each speaker will be limited to 2 - 3 minutes, depending on the number of speakers.
While we are waiting for action on a bill before our legislators in Washington to suppress the commercial use of the ADS-B information that many of us transmit, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that a member of the Arizona Safety Advisory Group who is well connected with members of our State Legislature, has taken action to have a bill presented, and heard in the Arizona Legislature that would prevent the commercial use of the ADS-B information that’s being transmitted. In spite of the fact that this is really a safety issue, the Arizona Airport Association is still unsure about supporting this bill because they think that they may still want to use the ADS-B information for generating income for the airports.
Remember, ADS-B information is not the only means for implementing landing fees. They have used electronic photographs to verify an airplane’s landing for some time.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
The FAA had reopened the comment period for its proposed Part 108 rule governing beyond visual line of sight drone operations, and they were seeking additional feedback on electronic conspicuity, and right-of-way provisions. We hope that many of you had responded to this latest request for additional comment. Anyway, now we will have to wait and see what the final decision is.
In the meantime, we haven’t heard of anything that would impact your flying activity, but please be assured that APA will always be on the alert for any rule changes that could have an impact on your flying activity, and immediately inform you.
AIRSPACE
Last month we mentioned that an NPRM was in the Federal Register regarding a proposed increase in size of the class delta airspace for Chandler and Gateway airports. The deadline for comments was the first part of February so it will be some time before anything happens. In the meantime, we will just have to wait and see what will finally happen.
However, I’m still unaware of any activity, or proposed activity, at Chandler that would warrant this proposed increase in its size of Class Delta Airspace.
We must realize that the good weather we enjoy is the reason we have a lot of parachute activity happening around the central part of the state, and if the weather cools off, the parachute activity will no doubt also increase. Avoid flying near airports with known parachute activity and always be extra vigilant for parachutists. Note parachute icons on the charts as this is a warning that there might be parachutists in the area. A lot of this present parachute activity will consist of experienced foreign parachutists that are here to learn, and practice new tactical procedures, and some of this jumping may be high altitude jumping being initiated at Flight Levels, with parachutists descending through airspace far removed from their final landing site. Be advised, if you can determine the surface wind direction, your safest place will be downwind of their Drop Zone. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activity on your route of flight, and if possible, use Flight Following for your proposed flight, and monitor in-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
We sincerely regret the passing of Craig Tompkins of the FAA SDL FSDO because Craig had always provided us with substantial FAA input for the Accident/Incident report, he also provided all the information for the Pilot Deviation, and NMAC Reports. As a result, the Accident report will have some information missing, and there won’t be a Pilot Deviation Report or NMAC Report until a suitable replacement is found.
The Accident numbers are down, and it is unfortunate that we had fatalities reported this month. We really made a bad start of the year. From the first of the year to now we have had 14 accidents reported and of these 14, there have been 8 fatalities. This is a very bad percentage of fatalities vs accidents, and we must not continue with this trend.
For the details of the current accidents, see my accident report located elsewhere in the newsletter.
Members, please continue to send accident information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the date, location, aircraft make, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
Before takeoff we sometimes get reports from ATC that drones are operating near the airport. We realize that these drones are very difficult to see, and avoid, and educating many of these drone operators of the proper rules of operation is a problem we all face. So please be vigilant.
CONSTRUCTION
A major hangar project is still underway on the south side of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), and some taxiways are being moved to comply with FAA standards. Some of this activity has been completed, but some activity remains. This results in changes to the normal taxi routing, so be sure to get airport NOTAMS, and study them before your arrival.
Tucson International Airport still has a major construction project underway. There are also numerous other smaller projects underway that could also impact your arrival, so always check the latest airport NOTAMS and study them well before your arrival.There are many airports around the state that also have construction projects in progress or will have projects starting soon. We don’t have specific details on all these projects at the moment, but we would urge you to always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you don’t have a surprise upon your arrival.
APA is working with airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plan by providing the pilot, and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. The Airport Master Plan Update process usually requires about a year for completion.
THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO FLY FOR BREAKFAST
The fly-in breakfast at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) is on the first Saturday of the month.
On the second Saturday of the month, consider flying down to Ryan Field (RYN), west of Tucson for breakfast or lunch at Ritchie’s Restaurant. They are open daily from 6 am to 2 pm to serve you.
Grapevine is open full-time, and generally the third Saturday weekend camping and cookouts are planned. Check the APA newsletter for a possible weekend change. The camp host will prepare the main course for dinner, and campers, please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Grapevine, which lies within a National Forest, is heavily used by the Forest Service for fighting wildfires, and the Military for Special Training.
There is a fly-in breakfast on the last Saturday of the month at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ). The new “Sky High” Cafe, is open from Thursday thru Friday from 9 am-12 pm, and Saturday thru Monday from 8 am-12 pm with a limited menu. However, the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge will continue to be serving breakfast in the air-conditioned terminal from 7 to 11 am on the last Saturday of the month.
When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant, and also at the airport terminal. If you haven’t, scan the placard with your smart phone to get credit on the passport program for being there.
Check with the APA Getaway Flights program and online calendar for fun weekend places to fly.