On the Horizon

Glendale Municipal Airport is growing! Due to tremendous growth during its first decade of service, Glendale Municipal Airport is now expanding to include new corporate hangars, an extension of its 5,350' runway, and new taxiways.

A newly paved, 18-acre parcel at the airport’s northwest corner will soon accommodate up to 170 new hangars, nearly tripling the number currently available. In addition, a new business park is being planned for the east side of the landing field.


Airport Master Plan Process
The Glendale Municipal Airport Master Plan was undertaken by the City of Glendale to identify potential airport facility needs over the next twenty years and to outline a direction for the airport’s future development. The initiation of the master plan was in response to the ever-changing needs of the air transportation industry and the need to update the 1989 Airport Master Plan to more accurately represent the City of Glendale’s vision for the future development of the airport.

The City established a Planning Advisory Committee as an informal advisory group to review and comment on the study’s findings and recommendations. The 15-member committee met four times during the course of the study process and ws comprised of representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, Arizona Department of Transportation - Aeronautics Division, local government representatives, local economic development agencies, national and regional pilot associations, airport users, and local citizen groups. Local residents were also invited to two public information workshops during the preparation of the study to obtain information about the study and to provide input.

Recommended Airport Plan
The Glendale Municipal Airport, as an integral part of the local, regional, and national air transportation system, must provide essential aviation services; however it also plays an important role in the overall economic development of the local community. This includes the economic benefits related to aviation business activities conducted at the airport as well as expenditures by air travelers. A more significant benefit is the value of the airport to the sales and production capabilities of local business and industry and the value of the role the airport plays in attracting new business and industry to the community. To position the airport to more adequately support and generate economic growth in the community, the Glendale Municipal Airport Master Plan provides recommendations for the orderly development of essential airport facilities as well as guidance in creating opportunities for economic development at the airport.

The Master Plan analysis concluded that the present runway length and width was not adequate to meet the needs of the full-range of general aviation aircraft currently utilizing the airport. Additionally, larger safety areas are needed off each runway end to protect aircraft and people and property on the ground. The plan calls for widening Runway 1-19 to 100 feet, constructing a gabion in the New River Channel to accommodate a 1,000-foot extension of Runway 1-19 to the south, extending Runway 1-19 800 feet north, and displacing each landing threshold to provide for larger safety areas at each runway end. To increase the reliability of the airport, the Master Plan recommended establishing Global Positioning System (GPS) approaches to each runway end.

All property west of Runway 1-19 is reserved for long term general aviation development. A 6.1 acre parcel of land (located at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Glen Harbor Boulevard) is planned for acquisition and is expected to accommodate long term general aviation development as well.

The Master Plan removes the development of a parallel runway east of Runway 1-19 from airport planning and instead dedicates all property east of Runway 1-19 for future development opportunities. This could include industrial/commercial uses with a need for airfield access and retail or commercial properties along Glendale Avenue.

Aviation Demand Forecasts
The preparation of the Airport Master Plan involved a comprehensive evaluation of the anticipated aviation needs for the airport over the next 20 years. Forecasts of aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) and the number of based aircraft were used to assess the capability of the airport to accommodate future aviation demand and establish future facility needs.

The Master Plan anticipates an increase in the number of based aircraft and general aviation aircraft operations at the airport, driven primarily by greater use of the airport by business/corporate users.

Based Aircraft Forecast

Annual Operations Forecast

Plan Implementation
The development and use of Glendale Municipal Airport has been a significant contributor to the economic development of the City of Glendale area. The Master Plan examined how the community can further capitalize on the unique opportunities offered by this important community asset. The plan provides a blueprint for development which meets the challenges of the future, and ensures that the airport remains a viable, safe, and productive facility. The Master Plan estimates the total cost to implement the recommended airport improvements over the next twenty years at $17.3 million; of which $12.6 million is eligible for federal and state funding assistance. This plan is not intended to happen overnight. Rather it will require community-wide dedication, coordination, and cooperation over many years. The result will be an airport that continues to be an economic asset and source of community pride.

Airport Master Plan Planning Advisory Committee

• Mr. Harry Wolfe - Maricopa Association of Governments
• Mrs. Stacy Howard - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Mr. Jim Timm - Arizona Pilots Association
• Mr. Claude Mattox - Maricopa Neighbors Airport Noise & Safety Committee
• Ms. Margie Drilling - Federal Aviation Administration
• Mr. Gary Adams - Arizona Dept. of Transportation Aeronautics Division
• Mr. David E. Richert - City of Phoenix
• Mr. Tim Brown - Temple Aviation
• Mr. Bob Riley - City of Glendale Economic Development
• Mr. Bobby Brown - Air Traffic Control Tower
• Mr. Jacob Starr - Glendale Aviation
• Mr. Robert Shaw - Aviation Commission
• Mr. Bryan Hill - Aviation Commission
• Mr. Ken Martin - Deputy City Manager