Information about the airport can be found at the bottom of this page. But we ask you to take a moment to at least browse through the following important information before skipping to the bottom. We need your help.

Background

In October, 2006, the Wickenburg Town Council approved a 34-unit housing development called Hermosa Ranch on 35 acres off the approach end of Runway 23. The photograph above clearly shows the development's proximity to the airport.

As shown in the illustration here -- which was created from Maricopa County to-scale property drawings and the actual lot plan for Hermosa Ranch -- the airport's runway centerline runs through the corner of the proposed development. The development property is less than 3500 feet from the end of the runway. Although no homes will be built right beneath the centerline, they will be less than 100 feet away from that line. Using FAA glide slope standards, we calculated that airplanes could fly less than 200 feet above ground in this area. And, as pilots, we know that aircraft often drift off the centerline.

Town Planner and Council Approve Despite Opposition by Concerned Residents

The development's proposal was approved by Wickenburg's Town Planner, who is also the Airport Manager, despite the fact that two members of the public attended the Planning and Zoning meeting and voiced concerns about the development's unusually high density for Wickenburg and its proximity to the airport. These same two members of the public spoke at the October Town Council meeting. They were ignored again and the plan was approved.

Airport Advisory Commission Not Consulted

The town of Wickenburg has an Airport Advisory Commission that meets monthly and discusses issues related to the airport. It advises the Mayor and Council on airport matters. This Airport Commission includes a Town Council member and the AOPA Airport Network volunteer member. The commission was not consulted on this matter and neither of these empowered members stepped forward to suggest that the commission be consulted.

Open Space Designation Ignored

It should be mentioned here that this same parcel of land is included in the Town's General Plan as "open space" land. The previous Town Planner/Airport Manager had the good sense to realize that developing land so close to the airport would cause problems in the future. Either the Town of Wickenburg saw fit to ignore the "open space" designation when allowing the developer to put in his housing development or the Town Planner is incapable of reading a color-coded map.

Future Instument Approaches and Commuter Airline Service Impossible

It should also be mentioned here that with homes so close to the airport's glideslope, it will be impossible to ever get an instrument approach at Wickenburg Municipal Airport. This means Wickenburg will never get commuter airline service currently available at Prescott, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, and Kingman, AZ.

Local Pilots Contact AOPA and the FAA for Help

Several town resident, who are pilots and member of AOPA, saw the threat to the airport and decided to act.

AOPA Does Nothing

A town resident who operates a helicopter charter business based at the airport wrote to AOPA about the problem. It was referred to the AOPA Airport Network Volunteer, who did nothing.

This same town resident also wrote to Phil Boyer, President of AOPA, on two occasions -- by U.S. Mail and by e-mail. She included the illustrations you see here. He did not respond to either communication.

Other AOPA members based at the airport contacted AOPA. They were referred to the Airport Network Volunteer and the FAA.

The FAA Demands an Explanation from Wickenburg

The helicopter operator wrote to the FAA, citing the town's violation of its Airport Sponsorship Agreement with the FAA. This agreement provides assurances to the FAA that the town will operate the airport and surrounding area in a matter satisfactory to the FAA in order to receive federal funding. The airport's runway had recently been lengthened with federal funds at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars. According to Paragraph 21 of the agreement:

Compatible Land Use. It [the town] will take appropriate action, to the extent reasonable, including the adoption of zoning laws, to restrict the use of land adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of the airport to activities and purposes compatible with normal airport operations, including landing and takeoff of aircraft....

The FAA wrote to the Airport Manager:

Assurance 21, Compatible Land Use, stipulates that the Town will take all reasonable measures to restrict land uses adjacent to the airport to activities that are compatible with normal airport operations. Residential property in the vicinity of the airport is not a compatiable land use. Airport noise will inevitably cause homeowners to complain about the airport and demand restrictions on airport operations. The FAA does not support this type of development next to the airport. In view of Assurance 21, why would the Town approve residential homes so close to the airport?

A Town Resident Uses Her Constitutional Right to Petition for Redress of Grievances

The helicopter operator then attempted to stop the development by putting it to the vote of townspeople.

The First Petition is Submitted and Rejected

She gathered 77 signatures -- 14 more than the 63 required -- on a petition to put the development to a vote. Unfortunately, this well-meaning resident didn't understand what was required in the wording for a petition and the petition was rejected by the town in November 2006.

The Mayor Announces a Conflict and a New Vote is Taken

Right around the same time, the Mayor suddenly revealed that he had a conflict of interest in the development. Members of his family owned a 3-6% interest in the project. The initial vote was rejected and a new vote was taken with the mayor sitting in the back of the room. The six council members -- one of which is a Realtor, another who sits on the Airport Commission-- again approved the development -- despite the petition and letter from the FAA.

A Second Petition is Started

Because of the new vote, there is another 30-day period to attempt a new petition. Unfortunately, because of high turnout for the recent election, 231 signatures are now required.

The helicopter operator hires an attorney to help her compose the language for the petition. She creates a political committee, the Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development, so she can get volunteers to help her collect signatures. Approximately a dozen people step forward to help. Signatures are gathered.

The Developer Sues the Town

In an effort to invalidate the date of the second vote (thus making the second petition invalid), the developer sues the Town of Wickenburg. The town does nothing to fight this lawsuit.

The Town Responds to the FAA

The Airport Manager, in an overly friendly letter to the FAA, claims that "noise exposure patterns were analyzed for the airport's long term activity conditions." This work was done by the Airport Consulting firm hired and paid for by the Town of Wickenburg. It showed little or no impact for Hermosa Ranch.

Given the photo shown above and the complaints by current residents in the adjacent housing development, it's hard to believe that the residents of Hermosa Ranch will not be affected by airport noise -- and complain about it.

The Voters Keep Fighting

The helicopter operator continues to provide updated information to the FAA. And she continues to work hard to use her Constitutional Right of Petition for Redress of Grievances to protect the airport.

The Second Petition is Submitted and Rejected

By November month-end, volunteers for the Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development submit the petition on time with 336 signatures -- 105 more than what is required. Nearly every single person who was asked to sign signed. Clearly, the people wanted to bring this to a vote.

Unfortunately, the well-meaning helicopter operator who started the petition put the wrong number in the lower right corner of the petition forms. In January 2007, the Town of Wickenburg used this technicality to reject the petitions.

The Petitioner Sues the Town

The Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development sued the town in an effort to get the petition accepted by the Town. Legal costs are estimated at $6,000 to take this action through three levels of the court. The Committee is actively seeking contributions to cover this cost. However, any costs that are not covered by donations will be borne by the helicopter operator who began the fight to protect the airport.

How You Can Help

Do you use Wickenburg Airport? Do you care about it? Do you care about all General Aviation Airports threatened by residential encroachment?

If so, you can help us.

Write to AOPA

If you are an AOPA member, write to AOPA about our problem. Tell them you're worried about the future of this airport. Tell them that you've read about their efforts in Upland, CA, which involved a similar situation.

Here's who you can write to:

Phil Boyer
President
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701

Bill Dunn
Vice President, Airports
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701

Write to the FAA

The FAA has the power to cut funding to the airport. This power, when wielded, should be enough to show the Town of Wickenburg that their decision to allow this development is a mistake. Contact the FAA and tell them that you care about the future of Wickenburg Airport.

Here's who you can write to:

Kimchi Hoang
Airports Program Manager
FAA Airports Division - LAX ADO
P.O. Box 92007
Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007

Anthony Garcia
Federal Aviation Administration
Western-Pacific Region Airports Division
15000 Aviation Boulevard, Room 3024
Lawndale, CA 90261

Contribute to the Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development

$6,000 is a lot of money. Winning is not assured. But we appreciate any contribution, no matter how small, to our cause. $5, $10, $25, $100 -- any amount will help us. We have a chance and we're going for it. Please help us pay the bills.

Send your check to:

Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development
32655 Homestead Drive
Wickenburg, AZ 85390

Be sure to include complete contact information so we can get in touch if we have questions or just want to thank you.

Any leftover monies will be donated to a worthy pilot-related charity -- possibly someone else's effort to protect their airport.

Contact the Concerned Pilot Spearheading this Effort

Maria Langer is a commercial helicopter pilot, owner/operator of Flying M Air, and concerned Wickenburg resident. She is the idiot who put the wrong number at the bottom right corner of the petition form. She's the one determined to take the Committee to Stop Irresponsible Development's petition through the Arizona Court system. She feels she owes it to the Committee's volunteers -- many of whom took time off from work to get signatures -- as well as the 336 residents of Wickenburg who want the opportunity to vote on this issue.

You can contact Maria by e-mail by using the form found at http://www.marialanger.com/?page_id=20.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We hope you've decided to help.

Remember, it's our airport in jeopardy today -- but it might be yours tomorrow.

About Wickenburg Municipal Airport

Located approximately 60 statute miles northwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, Wickenburg is a quiet town that offers glimpses into the old west. Founded by Henry Wickenburg in the late 1800s, Wickenburg started as a mining community to support the Vulture Mine southwest of town. With a year-round population of only 6,000 people, Wickenburg's main industries today are health care, ranching, and tourism. Thousands flock to the town during the winter months to enjoy the town's warm climate and laid-back atmosphere.

Wickenburg Municipal Airport offers many of the services found at larger airports without the associated costs and headaches. The airport's management and staff make it easy to extend your visit to Wickenburg beyond the airport's boundaries. Whether you're flying in for a few hours, for a day, or for a week-long vacation from the hustle and bustle of the city, Wickenburg airport is at your service.

Location

• Coordinates: 33°58.14'N 112°47.91'W
  3 miles west of Wickenburg, AZ
• Elevation: 2386'

Runways

• Runway 23 - Right Traffic , Runway 5 - Left traffic
• Length: 6000', Width: 75'
• Runway 23 slopes up 1%
• Calm Wind: Land Runway 23, Take off Runway 5
• Traffic Pattern Altitude: 3400'

For Navigation:

VOR	FREQ	RAD	NM
BXK	110.6	348°	31
PXR	116.6	296°	52
DRK	114.1	187°	47

 

 

 

Other Procedures

• Announce intentions on CTAF all hours.
• For wind and traffic information, request Airport Advisory from UNICOM during office hours.
• CTAF/UNICOM: 123.0
• Pilot Controlled Lighting: 3x low, 5x medium, 7x high
• Flight Service Station: Prescott 122.6

Other Information

• Rapidly rising terrain South through West
  Use caution when making go-around from Runway 23
• 400' Tower 2.8 NM South of Midfield; unlighted in daytime
• Homes South, East, and North of airport
• Alert Area A-231 4 NM Southeast and Gladden 1 MOA 7 NM Northwest
  Extensive student jet operations.
  Contact Luke Approach 120.5 for advisory or FSS for operational status.