BEWARE of increased MD80 aircraft traffic near IWA

Allegiant Air is providing commercial service from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport (IWA). The flight paths for departure and arrivals are primarily beneath the Class “B” airspace (5,000 feet and below) east of IWA putting them into the same airspace used by many general aviation aircraft. Eight MD-80s are in operation with more planned as business grows.

The Allegiant flight paths are shown in the following diagrams. General aviation aircraft operating in this area should be extra vigilant because the MD80 turbine aircraft is fast and cannot quickly change course should a conflict situation develop. The peak Allegiant Air IWA flight traffic occurs at:

• Departure times are 6-8 am and 2-5 pm.
• Arrival times are 12 pm-3 pm and 8-11 pm

(Note that the evening arrival times extend beyond tower operation hours)

Please exercise caution when operating in the vicinity east of IWA with the increased mix of training flights, flights circumnavigating the Class “B” airspace and the added MD80 commercial traffic.

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