Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 2800; Flight Crew Type 2200
Communication Breakdown
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related
We were operating our aircraft tracking toward the IWA VOR on the 123 Radial at 4;000 feet MSL in Class E airspace and a departing aircraft from IWA was encountered and both pilots needed to make evasive maneuver to avoid collision. I don't believe that either the departing aircraft or we were in the wrong because of the airspace we were operating in at the time. However to avoid that situation I believe that we could have been on an ATC frequency (maybe IWA or PHX approach) so that they could have provided separation services. When I received the 'possible pilot deviation' I was informed that I may have been operating in the IWA Class D airspace. However; all indications from my flight instruments and navigational aids would suggest otherwise. In the future I will make contact with the nearby ATC facility so that they may provide me with traffic separation services and by doing so may mitigate any future conflicts.
After taking evasive at 4;000 feet from an aircraft departing IWA; an Instructor was told he may have violated the IWA Class D airspace.