Monthly Archives: April 2010

Restricted Area R2310 – Incursions

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The US Army is asking for assistance in increasing awareness of the status of Restricted Area R2310 north of Florence Arizona.

In addition to the area being used for live fire munitions training, the airspace is  increasingly being  used for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) training. The UAVs in this area are not the Predator class type aircraft you may be familiar with but various smaller models used for tactical purposes in remote theatres of operation.

As many of you know, the use of UAVs are increasing in the National Airspace System. R2310 is being scheduled much more than it has been historically in order to support this training.

There have been several events recently in which GA aircraft have encroached on the restricted area, particularly near the  launch and recovery area. Recently a UAV operating within R2310 came within several hundred feet of a GA aircraft operating within the restricted area when it was NOTAMed active.

In conversation with the Army representative, it was determined that the launch and recovery area is located at the extreme southwest corner of R2310 north of Florence. Though the UAV is cleared to operate out of sight within the entire Restricted Area as NOTAMed, visual confirmation of R2310 incursions by GA aircraft where observed there. It is important to note that there is no buffer on the airspace and the UAV may operate up to its lateral and vertical limits.

Detailed .pdf and .ppt Graphics are below:

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FAA Notice – Change CGZ Communication Procedures

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As discussed in at our last meeting. The FAA does not agree with our previously published CGZ GPS approach instructions. I received a certified letter from them today.  In general this has to do with when to be on CTAF and when to be on the Practice Area frequency 122.85.

I’ve removed our recommendation at the request of the FAA. However, I have great concern on this topic. I’m concerned on what people are ACTUALLY doing. As we discussed, this area needs to be COMPLETELY evaluated for REAL world safety concerns. I’ve invited the FSDO to our next meeting, they have not yet accepted.

I’ve attached their letter here for your review and comments. I believe an open and honest conversation on this topic is warranted.

FAA Practice Area Notice

Popularity: 57%

Meeting Minutes – 4/7/2010

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Meeting hosted by Mesa Pilot Development Chief Instructor Michelle Kraus at KIWA

  1. Greg Landers
    1. Opening remarks, website news, updates
  2. CMSGT Gregg Mowrer – Luke AFB
    1. Discussed the upcoming Luke SATR.
    2. Provided depiction of lateral and vertical boundaries of the SATR.
    3. Will be published with May 6th Chart Cycle
    4. Each sector is outlined in dashed Blue, DIFFICULT to see at first
    5. Presentation will be posted to AFTW Site
  3. Greg Blunk – KIWA Tower
    1. April 20th, Disaster day drill at KIWA – Ground will be busy
    2. Closed portions of taxiway’s B, N, A and P will reopen on Friday April 9th.
    3. Runway 30L will be partially closed April 12th and 13th during daylight hours.
    4. Tower hours may change to 0500L-0000L.
    5. Air Traffic Communications
    6. Pilots must read back callsign & runway hold short assignment.
  1. Open Discussion
    1. Procedures for KCGZ GPS 23 & ILS/VOR 05 approaches when winds favor Runway 23.
    2. What frequency to use when holding at AYZUT for the GPS 23 into KCGZ.
    3. FSDO has stated pilots should utilize Unicom at AYZUT. General disagreement with this policy from flight schools vs being on practice frequency, concern on safety. Aircraft (AYZUT) is in heart of practice area.
    1. June 3rd, EAGLE 4 departure will change at Falcon Field. Will become a graphical ODP named the MESA 1 departure.
    2. Discussed Fighter Combat’s use of 131.375 for air to air communication. They will be contacted so information can be provided on where exact details of their acrobatic box is located.
    3. Falcon Field Open House will be held Saturday April 17th.
    4. Next meeting date to be Wednesday June 2nd, 2010. Probably SDL, but confirming

THANK YOU Robbie Fogelsanger for taking Minutes.

Popularity: 6%