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Click here to return to Tucson Airport homepage DATE OF DISTRIBUTION: December 1, 2009 FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT Tucson Airport Authority Approves Ryan Airfield Updated approximately every five to seven years, the Master Plan Update is a 20-year blueprint that responds to future airport demand by guiding the timely development of new or expanded facilities. The Update is used to evaluate the airport’s capabilities, infrastructure needs and role in the economy in relationship to forecasted aviation activity. The Update also provides recommendations for ensuring compatible land uses surrounding the airport. Key components of the Ryan Airfield Master Plan Update include: Forecast: The economic downturn resulted in the closure of Ryan’s flight school reducing the level of aircraft operations considerably compared to two years ago (167,952 in 2008 compared to 246,423 in 2007). The updated forecast anticipates a slow growth cycle through 2017, but assumes the return of a flight school in the mid-term, and the continuation of the historical average annual growth rate of 2.2% through the long term for both based and aircraft operations. Landside Development: Landside functions accommodated at Ryan include terminal services, aircraft storage hangar development, aircraft parking aprons, aviation related businesses, flight school facilities expansion, and automobile access and parking. Runway frontage has been reserved for these uses while business, industrial and retail uses have been planned for access from Ajo Way. Landside development reflects the need for economic sustainability by ensuring diverse and robust opportunities for aeronautical and nonaeronautical uses. Capital Improvement Program (CIP): The CIP focuses on maintenance of existing resources, enhancement of safety and security infrastructure, and a gradual increase in capacity to bolster economic development opportunities. The 20-year CIP calls for $80 million in improvements, of which 80% are eligible for federal funding. Long-term projects (after 2020) represent 60% of the total outlay and include the extension of Runway 6R-24L. Key intermediate term (2015-2020) projects include: extending Runway 6L-24R 105’ to 5005’; renovating the air traffic control tower; construction of hangar facilities; pavement preservation; expanding apron capacity; extending Runway 15-33 by 800’ to 4,800’, and constructing a heliport facility on the north side of the airfield. Noise Management: The Master Plan Update includes new noise exposure maps as well as an update of the FAA Part 150 Study on Noise Compatibility recommendations. Based on the updated compatibility study, no noise impacts to private property are anticipated to occur over the 20-year planning period. A copy of the Plan is available at http://tucsonairport.org/ga/html/ga_ryan_master.html For more information about the Ryan Airfield Master Plan Update contact Jordan Feld, TAA Planning Director, 520-573-5115 of jfeld@tucsonairport.org. T-A-A Attachment: Ryan Master Plan Update Exhibits The Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) is a nonprofit entity created by Arizona State Charter in 1948. Composed of 115 community members, the Authority has a nine-member Board of Directors that meets monthly. TAA President/CEO Bonnie Allin oversees day-to-day operations and a staff of 300 employees. TAA manages Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield. Ryan Airfield is a general aviation airport located approximately 12 miles west of TIA at Valencia Rd and W. Ajo Way. It was created in 1942 by the Ryan School of Aeronautics as a civilian school to train pilots for World War II. On August 1, 1951, the State of Arizona and the newly formed TAA executed a lease to operate Ryan. In 1960, the State deeded the airfield to the City of Tucson subject to its lease with TAA. . 2008 Operations:167,952
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