DISTRIBUTION DATE: May 1, 2007      FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

TUCSON AIRPORT
APPROVES RYAN AIRFIELD COMPATIBILITY MAP

     The map is the result of continuing land use coordination with Pima County staff. As the largest employer in the southwest area of Tucson, Ryan Airfield is an important economic catalyst and as such the county is interested in ensuring the full future development of the airport.

     The map identifies land uses that support future develop at Ryan, and promote compatibility with other possible development of the surrounding area. The compatibility map will be submitted to Pima County for use in coordination of future plan amendments and rezoning applications.

     The area on the map includes the 1800 acres occupied by Ryan Airfield, and extends from Sandario Rd. east to Vahalla Road and from south of Ajo Highway north to Snyder Hill Rd. Compatible uses include low-density residential, commercial and industrial uses, and open space.

     The map preserves the areas located off the ends of the three runways associated with aircraft arrival and departure tracks.

     World War II set the stage for the birth of Ryan Airfield. With the outbreak of war there was a need for aircraft and trained pilots to fly them. The military turned to established civilian schools to meet the demand and Ryan School of Aeronautics was one of them. On June 13, 1942, ground was broken 13 miles west of Tucson and in three months the desert was transformed into an Army base with paved runways, aprons, hangars, barracks, mess hall, classrooms, and recreational facilities.

     More than 6,000 pilots graduated from the Ryan School of Aeronautics by the time the base closed in September 1944. In 1951 the State of Arizona and the Tucson Airport Authority executed a 10-year lease for the 906-acre facility. That lease was extended for another 99 years in 1954.

     Today Ryan occupies over 1,804 acres, has its own manned air traffic control tower, aircraft refueling and service facility, lighted and paved runways, and restaurant. More than 30 tenants—ranging from aircraft maintenance shops to charters and flight instruction facilities, as well as 220 based aircraft – call the field home. In 2003 the International Airline Training Academy opened with a contract to train Chinese pilots. The number of students in the program today is approaching 300.

     In 1990 TAA contracted with a private company to provide FAA certified air traffic controllers and in 1993 built a six-story control tower at the field. In 1996 Ryan became part of the federal contract tower program with the tower operating seven days a week during daylight hours. Ryan’s contract tower has since managed well over one million operations, with no operational errors.

     Today it is the sixth busiest contract tower in the country, and the sixth busiest
G. A. airport in Arizona. In 2006 operations topped 200,000, setting a record.

     In 2004 the FAA commissioned a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, STARS, at Ryan. The system is used to assist air traffic control services, including separation and sequencing of air traffic and traffic alerts. In 2005 Tucson Airport Authority dedicated a new administration building on W. Ajo, which includes a pilot briefing room and lounge, airport management offices, restrooms, and conference facilities.

     The economic impact of aviation in the U.S. is substantial and activity at Ryan makes a significant contribution to the local economy. In a recent study conducted by the Arizona Department of Transportation, jobs at Ryan exceeded 120, with an annual payroll of $4.5 million and sales exceeding $10 million.