It is a source of embarrassment to live just three miles from Falcon Field and know so little about it, but Dee Ann Thomas, marketing and communications manager, is making sure more people are aware of the facility.
Dee Ann recently spoke at the Red Mountain Ranch Social Club, offering valuable information about the field’s past and present.
Dee Ann’s Presentation
Falcon Field began operations in 1941 as a flight-training base for the British Royal Air Force and U.S. Army Air Corps pilots. Following World War II, the U.S. government deeded it to the City of Mesa, and, in 1948, the facility became a public-use general aviation airport.
Today, Falcon Field sits on 784 acres of land with parallel runways of 5,100 and 3,800 feet. Currently, 750 aircraft are based here, and there are more than 90 businesses providing more than 1,000 jobs. A couple of the businesses are MD Helicopters, with 250 employees, and CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, the world’s largest flight training school, with 180 employees. The well-known Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum is here, with a collection of combat aircraft flown by all of our U.S. military services and selected aircraft of other nations.
Most other businesses are related to flying in some way, including a wing and helicopter maintenance and overhaul service, hangar sales and leasing, aircraft charter and tours, aerial photography, painting, repair and installation of radio and instrument equipment, and design and installation of aircraft interiors, to name a few. Another interesting business is a classic car parts store.
This airport is one of six large airports in the Valley helping to relieve congestion at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport. In 2015, it was the fifth busiest general aviation airport in the U.S.
Recent improvements include a recently renovated terminal building, runway guard lights, landing aids and ramp pavement rehabilitation. Federal Aviation Administration personnel manage the tower. Police aviation planes are based here, and flights include medical and humanitarian services, fire control and search and rescue missions.
The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization, is located here with 170 members dedicated to presenting the Army Aviation story through patriotic flying presentations and displays of historic aircraft and equipment. Anyone can join them for a $48 one-year membership fee.
Falcon Field is self-sustaining. While eligible for state and federal grants, our tax dollars are not used here. The City of Mesa operates the airport like a business, with the income being used for airport expenses and capital improvement projects. The operating budget for 2015-2016 is $41.7 million.
If you are interested in seeing for yourself and learning more, the Falcon Warbirds, located at 4626 E. Fighter Aces Drive, offer a fly-in pancake breakfast. The breakfast is open to the public, from October through May, on the third Saturday of the month, from 8 to 11 a.m. The price is $8 per person.
The Red Mountain Ranch Social Club would like to invite you, the readers of the Up Close newspaper, to attend our meetings. We meet on the second Thursday of the month, except December, at 9:30 a.m., to hear interesting speakers and presentations. We meet at the Country Club, located in the middle of Red Mountain Ranch. You do not need to be a member to attend.