Arizona Aviation Journal - Winter 2015

Arizona Aviation Journal Winter 2015

10th Annual

Aviation Day at the Capitol Winter 2015

ARIZONA AVIATION JOURNAL

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On the Cover Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) President, Barney Helmick and 1st Vice President, Gladys Wiggins hold a proclamation issued by Governor Ducey.

Cover photo by Carol Groff.

Arizona Aviation Journal Publisher/Editor Kim J. Stevens Graphic Design Andrew Stevens Layout Design Andrew Stevens Photography

Carol Groff

Published by the State Aviation Journal 3535 S. Ball Street, #627 Arlington, VA 22202 623-326-1125

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Contents From the Publisher

A Decade of Collaboration

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Commentary

Senator Lynne Pancrazi

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Aviation Day Draws Statewide Participation

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Commentary Focus on Yuma

Tanya Hodges - AZ Outreach Coordinator, University of Arizona - Yuma Julie Engel, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation

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From the Publisher

Building on a Decade of Collaboration It’s hard to believe that this was the 10th Annual Aviation Day at the Capitol. Many states have followed suit over the last few years holding similar events in order to get the word out about the economic impact that general aviation has in their communities and state.

In many respects, Arizona has blazed a trail for others to follow in this regard. Much of that is due to a strong, passionate base that exists in the state. From a proactive airports association and a number of active pilot organizations to a growing aviation consulting/design/engineering community, your example of working together to showcase the industry has been noticed across the nation.

I’ve said this before, that although spearheaded by the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA), the success of this event is due to the collaborative nature of numerous aviation industry groups and individuals from across the state.

The hard work begins months in advance and payday might not be realized months or even years later, but if the industry continues to move forward for another decade, I believe the fruit of your labor will be evident.

Next year will be the 11th annual event and as I opined last year in this column, there is a natural tendency to put the event on autopilot and let it fly on its own. I remain confident however, that that won’t be the case.

I know many of you and have seen your dedication first hand. Based on that knowledge, along with your work ethic and track record, Arizona will remain a great aviation and aerospace state. You deserve nothing less.

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Aviation Day Provides Opportunity to Showcase Yuma International Airport Yuma International Airport has created an extensive network of partnerships within Yuma County and the State of Arizona. The most important of these is with Marine Corps Air Station, (MCAS) Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground, Army, (YPG). This has created a unique partnership for the Department of Defense, Commercial and Civilian Aviation in Yuma County to provide support to aviation related industries looking to do business in Arizona.

Yuma International Airport has invested over $48M in grants for construction improvements to the airport and airfield over the last 7 years. The airport’s aging infrastructure has been rehabilitated, aviation related companies have expanded and new facilities are being built for future businesses. With the addition of Million Air, the Airport truly has improved the image with a beautiful new gateway to the community.

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Commentary

Senator Lynne Pancrazi

See more from Yuma on Page 17.

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Collaborative Process Draws Statewide Participation in Aviation Day

By Kim Stevens More than 225 people attended the 10th Annual Arizona Aviation Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 26th giving members of the aviation industry a highly visible platform to highlight the importance of aviation in the state and to meet directly with State Legislators. Barney Helmick, President of the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) and Director of the Flagstaff airport said that among the attendees were the Speakers of the House and Senate along with about 15 other members of the State Legislature.

Yuma International Airport Director, Gladys Wiggins, 1st Vice President of AzAA personally invited each State Legislator representing Yuma County to the event.

“We have a great relationship with our local representatives and appreciate their continued support of aviation activities here in Yuma County, which is also home to two of the largest military installations in the Unites States, the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.”

“The focus this year was conAzAA Members from lerft are, Gary Mascaro, Casey Denny, Corinne Nystrom, Joe Husband, Jennifer necting local airports with their Maples and Mike Covalt. representative,” said Helmick. A secondary topic was the State Budget proposal by the Govthem. Helmick said a couple of legislators that don’t have airernor to sweep $15 million from the State Aviation Fund to ports in their district but have aviation related businesses were put toward the debt. The State is looking at a large deficit in unaware that those businesses contribute to the fund. “The the next budget cycle and is sweeping several funds. Lost on information that contributions to the Aviation Fund was comsome legislators is the fact that sweeping the State Aviation ing from their district and being swept, left a large impact,” Fund impacts even those districts that don’t have airports in said Helmick.

Also having an impact is the nearly $58 billion of total economic activity that aviation brings to the state. A procalamtion issued by Governor Doug Ducey was read calling attendtion to the positive economic impact aviation has in the state. The Continued on page 8.

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School children on a field trip react to Kyle Perry igniting the burners on a hot air balloon.

Aviation Day Continued from Page 6.

With WTS are Alice Brimrose, left and Anita Richardson Frijia.

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Mead & Hunt attracted visitors to their booth.

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Photos by Carol Groff

proclamation noted that over the next 20 years, the total number of passengers at all 12 commercial service airports in Arizona is expected to nearly double and the number of general aviation aircraft based in the state, now at 6,561, is expected to increase by more than 30 percent. The proclamation, which named February 26th as Arizona Aviation

Day, also noted that there are nearly 18,000 licensed pilots.

Two diverse examples of airports providing a large impact are Mesa Falcon Field and Yuma International Airport. Mesa Falcon Field airport director, Corinne Nystrom said Arizona is fortunate to have a mix of airport facilities to serve different needs. The airport and northeast Mesa are home to The Boeing Company and MD Helicopters, manufacturers of helicopters used by

Barney Helmick, AzAA President

the United States military as well as other military, public safety, business organizations across the U.S. and foreign countries. “These two companies are cornerstones of the aviation industry in Mesa and Arizona, providing thousands of highly skilled jobs to the local and state economy,” said Nystrom.

Continued on next page.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – EDS

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – Concourse D

Left to right from DWL are Sandy Kukla, Nicole Kiersztyn Snyder and Steve Rao.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

Laughlin / Bullhead International Airport – ARFF Station

DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona | 602.264.9731 | www.dwlarchitects.com

Winter 2015

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Guidance Aviation in Prescott had a large presence at Aviation Day. Shown above is Byron Enfield, CFII.

Aviation Day Continued from pervious page.

Falcon Field Airport serves general aviation as a one-stop-shop for fixed-wing and helicopter services including: fixed based operators that provide aircraft fueling, aircraft repair and maintenance, and a variety of pilot and passenger services; hangar sales & leasing; private and commercial flight instruction; repair and installation of aircraft radio and instrument equipment; aircraft painting; design and installation of aircraft interiors; sightseeing flights; and aerial photography flights. Falcon Field has more than 80 companies on-airport that employ more than 1,000 people in skilled jobs.

Falcon Field Combined with other aviation and non-aviation businesses on the airport and in the surrounding industrial complexes, the Falcon Area contributes more than $2 billion annually to the economy.

Wiggins noted that Yuma International Airport provides commercial air service to Phoenix for personal and business travel, Continued on page 14.

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Dr. Jim Horton pictured at left. A team from Guidance (below) poses in front of one of their helicopters at Aviation Day.

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With the EVIT display are from left Derek Rasmussen, Taylor Perry and Taylor Izard.

From left are cadets Roach, Morre, Petit, McKown, along with F.G. Siefritz and Lt. Col. A. Peter “Pete” Feltz.

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Arizona Business Aviation Association members are from left, Alexander Friedman, Emma Volovski, Don Sterling, Cindy Greenman and Tim McCulloch.

Falcon Field Airport Where Business Takes Flight Falcon Field Airport is Mesa’s friendly general aviation airport, serving private and business aircraft customers. More than 100 on-airport companies serve the aviation and business communities.

SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE:

Falcon Field’s Dee Anne Thomas and Bradley Hagen.

• • • • • • •

Two parallel runways FAA air traffic control tower Land for aviation development with direct runway/taxiway access Full-service fixed-base operator Fixed-wing and helicopter flight training for all rating levels Aircraft rentals & charters Aircraft maintenance, repair, interior & painting services

For more information about Falcon Field Airport, call (480) 644-2450, visit www.falconfieldairport.com or join us on Facebook or Twitter!

Mike Thomas, left, Casey Denny and Sonja Herrera. Photo

by Kenn Potts.

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Aviation Day Contined from page 10. and has a growing general aviation community. Over the last 7 years, the airport has transformed its southwestern property to provide aviation support to clients training and testing in Yuma County. “Governments around the world are in a constant race to stay on top of cutting edge development for the future of aviation by producing state-ofthe-art stealth fighters, unmanned aerial systems, and space programs,” said Wiggins. “The Defense Contractor Complex at Yuma International Airport provides state-of-the-art facilities and first-class customer service for Defense Contractors who fill a vital role in developing technology for the aerospace industry in today’s competitive global market.”

Yuma International Airport also manages Rolle Field, a former WWII airfield that also received a major transformation as the airport works to make it available to general aviators, nearby communities as well as a site for build-up and testing of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

“Yuma is rich with aviation history; from the first airplane that landed in the state in 1911, the legendary Endurance Flight of over 64 days to bring the military back to our community, to the first basing of the

Rene Guillen, Transportation Policy Advisor for Governor Ducey. He read the proclamation pictured on the left naming, Thursday, February 26th as Aviation Day.

With Tucson Airport Authority are, Viki Matthews, Matthew Tipton and David Hatfield.

Mike Johnson and Jesse Hubble with North Aire.

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Kent Dibble, left and Kenneth Snyder with Dibble Engineering.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at MCAS,” said Wiggins.

“Aviation plays an important role to our community, and it brings us great pleasure to share this with our State Legislators so they too, remember the importance of supporting this industry.”

Helmick, in an email to the Arizona aviation community, wrote that he was grateful to all who attended and helped with Aviation Day. “I am so proud to be a part of our Aviation Community,” he wrote. When Continued on next page.

From Buckeye are from left, John Mcmahon, Scott Lowe and Len Becker.

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Representing Sky Harbor were Walter Peoples, Kim Siebert, Bridget Penton and Peggy Kreus.

David Sperling and Lance Mcintosh.

From left are Jenny Watts and Jason Musselmen with Armstrong Consultants and Mary Ortega-Itsell with Genesis Consulting. Photo by Kenn Potts

Aviation Day Continued from previous page.

Jim Timm and Stephanie Spencer promote the Arizona Pilots Association.

Photo by Kenn Potts.

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asked if he felt this year’s event was a success, Helmick responded that he doesn’t look at Aviation Day in the terms of success or failure, but as a growing process. “Over the last ten years we have planted the seeds, watered and feed them,” said Helmick. “Relationships take work and time and we continued the growth this year.”

For a decade now, Aviation Day has proven to be a great example of everyone in Arizona’s aviation industry setting aside any differences for the good of all. “When so many sides of one industry come together, like at Aviation Day,” said Helmick. “It shows just how great and vital each is.

More Photos on next page 18.

Recognizing Yuma International Airport Yuma International Airport has partnered with the University of Arizona, Jacobs Engineering and NASA to provide educational tours for Yuma Students participating in the UofA’s Engineering 102 program. The high school students are interested in engineering careers and get a rare glimpse at the specific skills required by NASA and Aeronautics. The Airport and NASA have created a venue for these students to experience relevance in these fields allowing for a more practical educational experience. The Community is the direct benefactor when these doors are opened to our students. NASA and Yuma International are volunteering time and talent towards the future of Yuma’s Aviation and Engineering leaders.

- Tanya Hodges - AZ Outreach Coordinator University of Arizona - Yuma Yuma International Airport has partnered with Arizona Western College and AV, Inc. in an effort to encourage academic advances in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems. With the future of aviation moving in the direction of unmanned aircraft, the Airport Authority has been visionary in their capital investments and strategies towards this end. Rolle Airfield improvements total $650,000. New hangar space the resurfacing of the runway and apron coupled with Yuma International Airports relationship with Yuma Proving Ground and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the Air Traffic Control tower manned by both the FAA and MCAS, has created a unique asset for Arizona and the FAA. Julie Engel, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation

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With Mead & Hunta are Scott Van Gompel, left, Colleen Bosold and Jon Faucher.

A sail plane drew a lot of interest from attendees.

Legislator and staff check-in.

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Stephen Bass, President of the Cactus Fly-In, left and Arv Schultz.

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Left to right, from Boeing are Jim Roos, James Mutchler, Andrew Black, Scot Magill and Angelo Scardullo.

Benjamin Lewis Search and Rescue pilot with Yavapai County Sheriff Office.

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