Deer Valley Airport plans major expansion
by Kathleen Stinson

DEER VALLEY – The City of Phoenix is working on a plan to increase the capacity of its Deer Valley Airport to accommodate more air traffic.

“The plan is a response to growth and an increased demand for the airport,” said Karen Apple, project manager for the Phoenix Aviation Department.

Lissete Beltran, of Dynamite Mountain Ranch, has filed noise complaints with the Deer Valley Airport over the last month.

She claims noise has increased from flight school aircraft and the airport in general–and that planes are now flying right over her house.

Beltran says she has lived north of the airport for about 18 months but that she has only noticed the increased noise over the last 30 days.

The city is holding a workshop next week to give North Valley residents like Beltran a chance to voice their opinions about the airport expansion.

The workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Country Inn & Suites, 20221 N. 29th Ave., near the intersection of I‑17 and Loop 101 in north Phoenix.

Deer Valley Airport fluctuates between being the busiest and second busiest general aviation airport in the country, stated Julie Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the city’s aviation department. The number of takeoffs and landings increased from 377,841 in 2005 to 406,507 in 2006, according to city statistics.

Since Phoenix owns and operates the airport, any improvements are contingent upon funding in the city budget, Apple points out. The city is proposing both airside and landside improvements for the purpose of enhancing the airport’s capacity to accommodate additional traffic more efficiently.

Apple related that the city would like to install high‑speed taxi runways so planes can get up and running quicker. The city proposes adding “run‑up areas” on all runway ends so pilots can do their “engine runs” or test engines prior to reaching the runway, she explained, thereby decreasing delays on the runways.

The city also proposes increasing the length of its shorter runway to provide backup if the primary runway is not available, she said.

Landside improvements include a proposal to increase aircraft hangar and storage areas for smaller and corporate aircraft. The city wants to increase fuel storage and vehicle parking as well.

Also proposed is making space for additional fixed‑base operators on the north side of the airport, Apple said. These operators function to service aircraft. Currently, two such companies operate on the south side of the airport.

Apple estimates the master plan process will be completed by July, after which Phoenix must complete an environmental study. The city is estimating starting construction in 2009.

Airport authorities have not yet set priorities for the order in which improvements are phased in, she added, and they may first address noncompliance issues. The Federal Aviation Administration “grandfathered,” or exempted, the airport with respect to two new safety standards but now wants the city to meet those standards.

The airport needs to provide 1,000 feet at the end of its two runways to provide a runway safety area, Apple explained. The other requirement involves taxiway/runway separation.

The Feb. 27 workshop is the fourth such workshop put on by the aviation department, according to a city press release. The city will provide exhibits to illustrate airport facilities and proposed development, the release states, and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions of city staff and/or provide written or verbal comments.

For more information, visit www.phxskyharbor.com.