Arthur Rosen

RE: Docket ID FAA-2008-1087 Luke Air Force base is important to the security of the United States. It is also very important to the economy of the Valley. When I became the AOPA ASN for Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT) in 2004, I was made aware that there was a conflict between Luke and General Aviation (GA) traffic in the area of Luke. I met with the safety officer, Major Jason White, of Luke, and we flew all approaches and departures from Luke so we would both have a better idea of how to resolve the above situation. Before any safety program was established, Luke sent letters to the flight schools in the Valley requesting that Luke be supported. There was a misunderstanding among the flight schools. They did not know they were supporting a SATR. These letters submitted are approximately 4 years old or older. A program was established with Luke to travel to the surrounding airports in the Valley and provide education. Two main items that occurred from this was to have radio communication with Luke when flying VFR west bound from the Valley and east bound upon return to the Valley. The second was for installation of signs at the departure ends of the runways at DVT and Glendale on the taxiways. These signs stated to call Luke on 120.5 when departing VFR westbound. Luke changed their frequency to 118.15 without notifying GA, and there was a lapse in the program for approximately one month. The signs have since been changed to 118.15, and emails from Deer Valley Pilots Association (DVPA) have been sent to the tenants to notify them of the change in frequency. This education continues to this day having had training recently in SDL and DVT. Luke has stated that incidents have decreased to 3 a quarter. No statistics have been received from Luke previous 2000, when thousands of incidents were reported. If we are down to 3 a quarter there is no justification to establish a SATR. I am confused by the FAA proposal. Is the only thing needed is that of radio contact in this SATR, or does Luke have the right to turn away traffic in this SATR? RAPCON staff has been downsized since the original proposal for a SATR was made. What happens if Luke is to busy to work a VFR flight? The proposed SATR is the only method that GA VFR has to fly out westbound and return eastbound from Valley airports. It is also stated in the FAA proposal that Luke is closed on weekends, holidays and nights. This is not true as Luke is flying at night and has been opening more and on the weekends if needed. My recommendations would be to: 1: Continue education for the airports surrounding the Valley to communicate with Luke when flying VFR in the vicinity of Luke. 2: For the FAA to place a communication box on VFR charts for GA VFR departing westbound and returning eastbound (2 boxes) in the area of Luke to contact Luke on 118.15. It is of my opinion that a SATR is not needed at this time. This will only lead to further loss of important airspace for GA. Arthur R. Rosen AOPA ASN DVT Commissioner- Scottsdale Aviation Board Tenant DVT