Narrative:

A standard left traffic pattern for runway 4 at gila bend municipal airport (E63) may require a pilot to fly into the class delta designated for gila bend af auxiliary field (gxf) when the class D is active. The class D airspace is configured so that its perimeter intersects the traffic pattern at E63. 14 crash fire rescue equipment 91.129 would require a pilot arriving at E63 to contact gxf tower to request a transition in order to effect a normal landing at E63. However; E63 is a busy airport due to its popularity as a destination for pilot training and also because it currently has the least expensive avgas in the area. Leaving the CTAF frequency for E63 (122.8) to request a transition from gila bend tower on 127.75 means a pilot risks missing vital information about other traffic at E63 originating from numerous pilots making position reports as they fly the E63 pattern. Further; when a pilot makes contact with gxf on 127.75; it would be nearly impossible to 'thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace' (i.e. Stay in touch with gxf tower) and still be making required CTAF advisories on 122.8 while flying the E63 pattern. A pilot arriving at E63 when the gxf class D is active therefore has a challenge ahead. For my first time flying into E63; I encountered another aircraft also bound for E63 who was entering the traffic pattern at the same time I was and was arriving from the south (I was arriving from the north). I was unable to leave the CTAF to request a class D transition from gxf; as I needed to continue monitoring the other aircraft's communications on the CTAF 122.8 for E63 while landing. I later realized an extremely minor airspace incursion had occurred while making a normal landing at E63 behind the other aircraft. To avoid such issues in the future; the class delta at gxf could be reconfigured to its north; where the perimeter of the controlled airspace would run along interstate 8. Military aircraft are instructed to remain south of interstate 8 and to avoid airspace below 2500 MSL within 3NM of the gbn VORTAC anyway. Reconfiguring the class delta accordingly would enhance safety by enabling E63 air traffic to make safe arrivals; without the need to leave the E63 CTAF. Potentially miss vital information from other area traffic for a call to gxf tower that may be unnecessary (based on information provided by the air force) since gxf; traffic is already sequenced away from E63.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-28 pilot reported an airspace violation due to the inability to communicate simultaneously with destination CTAF and adjoining Class D airspace during initial approach.

Narrative: A standard left traffic pattern for Runway 4 at Gila Bend Municipal Airport (E63) may require a pilot to fly into the Class Delta designated for Gila Bend AF Auxiliary Field (GXF) when the Class D is active. The Class D airspace is configured so that its perimeter intersects the traffic pattern at E63. 14 CFR 91.129 would require a pilot arriving at E63 to contact GXF tower to request a transition in order to effect a normal landing at E63. However; E63 is a busy airport due to its popularity as a destination for pilot training and also because it currently has the least expensive Avgas in the area. Leaving the CTAF frequency for E63 (122.8) to request a transition from Gila Bend Tower on 127.75 means a pilot risks missing vital information about other traffic at E63 originating from numerous pilots making position reports as they fly the E63 pattern. Further; when a pilot makes contact with GXF on 127.75; it would be nearly impossible to 'thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace' (i.e. stay in touch with GXF Tower) and still be making required CTAF advisories on 122.8 while flying the E63 pattern. A pilot arriving at E63 when the GXF Class D is active therefore has a challenge ahead. For my first time flying into E63; I encountered another aircraft also bound for E63 who was entering the traffic pattern at the same time I was and was arriving from the south (I was arriving from the north). I was unable to leave the CTAF to request a Class D transition from GXF; as I needed to continue monitoring the other aircraft's communications on the CTAF 122.8 for E63 while landing. I later realized an extremely minor airspace incursion had occurred while making a normal landing at E63 behind the other aircraft. To avoid such issues in the future; the Class Delta at GXF could be reconfigured to its north; where the perimeter of the controlled airspace would run along Interstate 8. Military aircraft are instructed to remain south of Interstate 8 AND to avoid airspace below 2500 MSL within 3NM of the GBN VORTAC anyway. Reconfiguring the Class Delta accordingly would enhance safety by enabling E63 air traffic to make safe arrivals; without the need to leave the E63 CTAF. Potentially miss vital information from other area traffic for a call to GXF tower that may be unnecessary (based on information provided by the Air Force) since GXF; traffic is already sequenced away from E63.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.