With the hot weather behind us, the mornings have been great, and the aircraft performance has greatly improved, and I suspect the pilot performance has also improved to a certain degree. At least I hope so. With this changing season, and the shorter days, those of us that can’t, or don’t want to fly in the dark, it means a later takeoff time in the morning for that fly in breakfast on Saturdays. At least we don’t have to hurry home to avoid getting tossed around by the turbulence. The change in season is also being noted by the increase in aviation events that are occurring such as fly-ins etc. So let’s get out there and go flying!

Apparently, there won’t be a Copperstate Fly-In at Mesa Falcon Field this year or early spring. Based on comments that I’ve heard, it appears that the Copperstate organization is in a bit of turmoil, and its future at this point is a bit uncertain. 

On a counter point, it appears that the early spring Buckeye Air-Fair will have AOPA once again, and it’s regional Town Hall gathering in conjunction with the Air-Fair as they did last year. Apparently, a group from the Copperstate organization will be assisting with the event. There will be a large AOPA vendor tent, viewing area, and airshow as they had last year. Be sure to stop by the Arizona Pilots Association display in the vendor tent, and say hi! We will attempt to be in the same spot as last year.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

Finally, Mike Whitaker was confirmed by the Senate as our Next FAA Administrator. It’s too bad that they had to take 18 months to do it. Mr. Whitaker has been widely praised by industry leaders, has three decades of experience in aviation, and is a pilot. As head of the FAA, he faces some major challenges. He states his priority will be the safety of the flying public and to keep flying the safest way to travel.

As you have no doubt heard, the FAA has extended the comment period on the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to January 22, 2024. It behooves you to review the document if you have even a slight interest in the subject, and submit your comments to this new rule because, when implemented, it will have a very significant impact on what type of aircraft that can be flown by Light Sport Aircraft pilots. Given that the document is a bit long, some of the alphabet organizations (AOPA, EAA) have developed a synopsis of the NPRM to assist in your review.

AIRSPACE

I’m not aware of any FAA regulation changes, or proposals for changes that could negatively impact our flying activities. I certainly hope this status quo continues. 

The President may again be in the state along with his VIP TFR. Because we are entering an election year it’s unfortunate that we may be seeing more of these VIP TFRs in the future and be aware that these VIP TFRs are administered by the Secret Service, NOT the FAA. These type of TFR’s are indeed serious and need to be avoided at all costs.

Tucson International Airport (TUS) will be renumbering its runways on November 30, 2023. Runway 11L-29R will be renumbered 12-30, and the crosswind runway 3-21 will be renumbered 4-22. Runway 11R-29L will be closed for two years for replacement. This renumbering is the result of a slight, and normal, shift in magnetic variation. 

SAFETY

The pilot deviations were even greater this time than they were last month. I continue to be amazed to see some to the things that pilots do while flying. Often, they don’t seem to be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be about to enter, and what is going to be required of them. Pilots need to listen more carefully to ATC instructions and follow them. If you can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why you can’t comply. When flying in controlled airspace, a pilot should never be creative, but first tell ATC before doing something that differs from the instructions given. Always know what type of airspace you are flying in and know what the controller may be expecting of you. Pay attention to airport signs, and runway markings, and know what they mean, and comply with them. Always fly with much forethought.

In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:

For the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.

This past month general aviation safety was not good because of the continued large number of accidents and incidents. Fortunately, only one accident had some serious injuries, but most importantly there was one accident that occurred late in the reporting period that claimed the lives of three persons. For the details of these accidents and incidents see my Accident/Incident Summary Report located elsewhere in this 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, and type, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.

It was unfortunate to note that in this past reporting period the FAA did report a Near Mid Air Collision between two aircraft at Tucson Ryan Field. The details of the incident are in the Pilot Deviation report under Failure to Follow Air Traffic Control Instructions, dated 10/1/2023.

CONSTRUCTION

On November 30, 2023, Tucson International Airport (TUS) will be renumbering their runways, and closing runway 11R-29L which is primarily used by general aviation aircraft. Runway 11R-29L will be closed for two years because it will be demolished and replaced with a bigger runway. Presently it is 75 feet wide and 8,000 feet long and will be replaced with a runway 150 feet wide and 11,000 feet long. While this reconstruction is taking place the airport capacity will be significantly reduced, and they will not be capable of permitting practice approaches, taxi backs, or touch-and-go landings. Pilots and training schools wanting to practice these maneuvers are highly encouraged to use Ryan Field (RYN) for these activities for the duration.

Many airports around the state are involved with having construction projects underway, or at least well into the planning stage. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specific details on all of these projects, but we certainly suggest that you always continue to check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you don’t have an unexpected surprise when you arrive.

APA is always working with airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plans by providing the pilot, and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. Payson will be having their final Master Plane Update meeting in December, and Eloy Municipal Airport is just starting their Master Plan update process.

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) near Tucson for breakfast or lunch at Ritchie’s Restaurant. They are open daily from 6 am to 2 pm to serve you.

The Falcon Field Warbirds Squadron normally have had a fly-in breakfast on the third weekend of the month, and it was planned to start in October, but because of the recent storm damage at FFZ, the October breakfast was canceled, and it is presently undetermined when they will be able to restart their breakfasts. We will advise when we have new information.

Grapevine is open full time, and the third Saturday weekend camping and cookouts have started. The camp host will prepare dinner’s main course, 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.

On the last Saturday of the month a fly-in breakfast is continuing to be put on by the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge in the air-conditioned Terminal of the Casa Grande Airport.

When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant, or at the airport terminal. 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.

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