EAA Chapter 538 - Phoenix, AZ

05/26/2026

UPDATE:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) staff have been coordinating with the appropriate FAA offices in support of this deployment and have an approved COA (Certificate of Authorization aka waiver). However, they are delaying the June tethered balloon operations as they are reviewing the flight safety plans again with the local FAA Safety Team. When they have a new start date, they will notify the local flight community with a NOTAM seven days prior to start along with other local notifications.

Heads up! This will be NOTAMed, but raising awareness here. Starting June 1st and continuing periodically through the monsoon season, two tethered research balloons (24ft in diameter) will launch up to 4,200 feet AGL. The site is SW of the KDVT delta, outside KDVT and KGEU’s deltas and under the Bravo shelf. More info here: https://armgov.svcs.arm.gov/research/campaigns/amf2026dustieaim?fbclid=IwY2xjawSD9n1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuR0RCYXhyY2JwNUU4RTJ1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiAABcTAG0byweDOraX1Av-EjkspRkZ5xOgLVSc4EK6TfZkl6-uaJYDyYbcA_aem_iKz0zAse6uTcQpbFJZiA7g

05/20/2026

The 2026 Oshkosh Notice has been released and now available for download. If you're headed to OSH post here so we can meet up there!

The FAA Notice – AirVenture flight procedures book outlines procedures, radio frequencies, and more to make your trip safe and smooth.

04/15/2026

Join us this weekend for our April Chapter gathering where the presentation will be a live demonstration of Dynamic Propeller Balancing followed with a spring BBQ!

Presentation starts at 9 am.
BBQ starts after at Noon.

Don't forget to contact Katie to coordinate your dish for the BBQ!

03/31/2026

Perfect example of the domino effect.

Mesa Gateway Airport (KIWA) sends out letter to Greater Phoenix flight schools announcing landing fees to itinerant aircraft beginning May 1, 2026.

03/24/2026

This will impact not just the users at Falcon but will most likely be the "door being kicked open" for many more airports around the state and nation.

City leaders say landing fees address funding gap at Falcon Field, while flight schools warn of rising costs.

03/16/2026

Notice of daily runway closures from our airport neighbor Goodyear (KGYR):

Dear Airport Tenants,

As part of the ongoing infield paving project at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, daily runway and taxiway closures that will allow the contractor to perform work adjacent to the runway are shown below.

Scheduled runway and taxiway closure dates each day from 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM (L)

Thursday, March 19, 2026
Friday, March 20, 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Friday, March 27, 2026

We are hopeful the project will be substantially complete in mid-April.

02/21/2026

Pedal Pete giving his first ride with Chapter 538! Start em young!

02/18/2026

EAA Chapter members,
The chapter board wants to hear from you. Now is your chance to let the them know what you like and would like to see changed for the better. Your input and ideas help keep the chapter gathering and programs interesting. Please scan the the QR with your phone (or click link below) to pull up and complete the survey!

https://s.surveyplanet.com/it00eggv

02/18/2026

I made my first ferry last week.

Got a call that there was a plane that needed to be relocated. I’ve spoken with this gentleman before. In fact, his name is Jim McKinney. We worked with him when his dad donated the Stits Playmate 538LC to Chapter 538. Turns out they had another ship he thought we might be able to use. It is modeled after the Pietenpol Air Camper, callsign Pete. A few pictures were sent, and I excitedly agreed to volunteer to relocate it to the EAA Chapter 538 hangar at Glendale Regional!

Trip Report:
The day to visit Mr. McKinney had come. I made the quick lunch trip to the Chandler area to go over the plane. Spoke with Mr. McKinney at length and was shown all the intricacies of what I would soon be moving to Glendale Airport. At first sight I thought for its age this craft is in incredible shape and well taken care of. That’s a good sign. All looked good with the walk around, so I decided to do a shake down and all went well. Now was the time so I departed and headed West with the sun in my eyes. Now this plane doesn’t have any electrical system, so I went low and stayed outside the Phoenix Bravo. We settled into a nice cruise and watched the scenery pass by. A couple bumps here and there, otherwise a smooth ride. Crossing the river south of Tolleson we rolled out right pointed to Glendale and proceeded to cross the reporting point of the Loop 101 and I-10 at 65 mph. Entered left downwind for 19 and arrived without issue. I’ve been smiling the whole way like a fool! Nice easy taxi to the south hangars and in front of EAA Chapter 538 Hangar 16. I didn’t take photos of the trip but I did take a quick phone video of the taxi to the hangar. Enjoy!

Welcome home Pete!

Carlos H.

02/17/2026

ATTENTION Goodyear Airport users,

As part of an ongoing infield paving project at Phoenix Goodyear Airport (KGYR), nightly runway and taxiway closures will begin next week to allow the contractor to perform work adjacent to the runway.

Closure hours:
Nighty, 7:00 PM (Local) until 6:00 AM (Local)
The runway and taxiway will be fully open without restrictions each of these days from 6:00 AM (Local) – 7:00 PM (Local).

Scheduled closure dates (each night from 7:00 PM – 6:00 AM)

Sunday, February 22, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Monday, March 2, 2026
Tuesday, March 3, 2026