"Help is on the way..."

#Toby Mac

(a) Public availability.—Prior to imposing a landing or takeoff fee on general aviation aircraft, the owner or operator of a public-use airport (as defined in section 47102) shall make available to the public—

(1) all efforts such owner or operator has undertaken to reduce non-airside related expenses;

(2) all efforts such owner or operator has undertaken to obtain revenues from sources other than general aviation aircraft;

(3) the total cost estimate of the airside safety projects that such owner or operator plans to undertake, the amount or percentage of the fees imposed on general aviation aircraft that will be used to pay for such projects, and an estimated timeline to collect such amount; and

(4) an assessment of the impact of any fees on the health and vitality of general aviation and on the pilots, students, nonprofit organizations and businesses that support or rely on general aviation in the area of the airport

(a) may only be used for airside safety projects

(b) Use of fees.—Any revenues derived from fees imposed on general aviation aircraft described in subsection

(c) Regulations.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may promulgate such regulations or impose such reporting requirements as may be necessary to implement this section.

(d) General aviation aircraft defined.—In this section, the term ‘general aviation aircraft’ means an aircraft that is being used for personal, recreational, flight training, or for purposes other than scheduled airline operations or military flights.

Learn How Congressional & State Leaders Are Advancing Oversight That Delivers

H.R.4146 - PAPA Act of 2025

A Long History of Community Voices Seeking Solutions

And We Still Need More—Add Your Voice from Anywhere

Help Fix FFZ

Grant Assurance Basics

Learning from differing perspectives to strengthen our approach

Aviation Community Petition

Noise Complaint Petition

All Is Not What It Seemed

2025 Press Kit

According to the City of Mesa, an unexpected budget shortfall has appeared at one of its most successful airports—an operation that fuels over $800M in annual economic impact, generates more than $4M in yearly revenue, and has secured over $20M in FAA grants for master planning, improvements, and maintenance. How does an airport that strong suddenly come up short?

Explore the details

Still Unclear On How It Happened

Municipal Numbers

"Business Objective, a goal or target that aligns with one or more Strategic Initiatives and defines where the City allocates its resources."

Public Information

Airport Business

"Aggressive investment in infrastructure improvements is transforming historic Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona to a modern, state-of-the-art aviation gem."

Doing Business at FFZ

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG)

"These funds can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport transit connections, and roadway projects. Amount Available $219,298."

Explore the details

From the Airport Administration & City of Mesa Officials

July 3, 2019

"...10-year capital improvement plan is $27.3 million and that 90% of it is eligible for grants from the FAA and ADOT. If those grants eventually are secured, Mesa’s share would be $1.6 million, according to the master plan."

December 17, 2024

' “This new infrastructure will support the airport’s growth as a key asset to Mesa’s economy. We are committed to ensuring Falcon Field remains a premier aviation hub," said Mesa District 5 City Councilmember Alicia Goforth.'

July 8, 2025

The budget for complete reconstruction is $577,760, and will likely be paid for entirely with state funds (vs. the usual 90% state funding with 10% local match). In this case, the city was only responsible for a contingency of $20,000. Although the project is not fully closed out, Gibbs expects it to finish under budget with $519,132 being spent as of mid-June. Unused contingency funds will be returned to the city’s Airport Enterprise Fund.

August 8, 2025

' “These developments mark a significant advancement in the services offered at the Airport, and they contribute to the ongoing economic strength of both the airport and the surrounding community,” said Nystrom.'

September 26, 2025

' “These grants demonstrate the FAA and ADOT’s recognition of Falcon Field’s importance as a leading general aviation airport,” said Corinne Nystrom, A.A.E., Airport Director.'

June 12, 2018

"Falcon Field also is dedicated to continual improvement and growth, and it has been successful in applying for federal and state grants to fund upgrades to infrastructure and facilities. In 2017 a taxiway was realigned and new blast pads were added to runways. In 2018 airfield signage and lighting were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and the aircraft washing facility was renovated. In addition, approximately one-third of the Airport's pavement is crack-sealed and seal-coated annually. New airport businesses are continually being recruited."

December 13, 2024

"Total cost of the project is $4,137,534, with substantial financial support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The FAA contributed $3,767,638 and ADOT provided a grant of $184,948. The City of Mesa's contribution to the project was $184,948."

August 7, 2025

' "We're seeing unprecedented business aviation growth at Falcon Field Airport, reflecting a strong demand and confidence in our Airport," said Dee Anne Thomas, Airport Administration Manager.'

September 25, 2025

"All projects are part of Falcon Field's Capital Improvement Program, which includes 32 projects identified in the 2021 Airport Master Plan."

Learn More

October 7, 2011

"Airport director Corinne Nystrom attributed the jump to the economic vibrancy and activity taking place at Falcon Field and throughout the city. Several flight schools, including Sabena Airline Training Center, Premier Helicopters and Regional Airline Academy, recently began operations at the airport, contributing to the rise in use."

July 11, 2019

"Of course, we have CAE [Oxford Aviation Academy] which is our largest business operation — it’s our commercial flight training school. At one point, they were over 50 percent of our operation, so it’s a lot of flight training. We are also very much a helicopter training airport."

September 12, 2019

“We’re really happy that we were selected as an Opportunity Zone so that it was more attractive for developers to step in and build these hangars, without necessarily having anybody yet to sign the dotted line,” Nystrom said.

Jul 11, 2022 Updated Sep 22, 2023

Nystrom said. “You are going to have people who are going to buy or rent houses or apartments and buy their groceries in Mesa, buy their fuel and go to McDonald’s. That adds to the economy. Focusing just on the jet traffic, it’s great. But we have to continue to be a diversified airport because when those economic ups and downs come, we are going to want to rely on the industries that are not as adversely affected.”

September 2024

"...has announced plans to construct four new aircraft hangar buildings on 4.13 acres of Falcon Field Airport property."

December 18, 2024

"The total cost of the project was more than $4.1 million and received funding from the FAA, Arizona Department of Transportation and the city of Mesa."

July 3, 2025

"Organizers at Falcon Field in Mesa have increased their resources to address the growing jet traffic noise at the airfield, much of which has been created by the city’s push to boost commercial aviation, infrastructure, and new developments. The demand continues to grow."

August 12, 2025

“We’re also preparing for the future of aviation, investing in infrastructure and innovation to ensure Falcon Field remains a premier destination for business and recreation.” according to Airport Administration Manager Dee Anne Thomas.

September 27, 2025

...a $363,485 grant, will be utilized to quickly design a new Taxiway I and a holding apron for Runway 22L....the airport also snagged an $85,918 grant to design the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road. ...A third grant of $206,082 is set to fund design overhauls...a local grant match of $16,772 thanks to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

September 29, 2025

"Falcon Field also received an $85,918 grant to design the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road, which is a vital corridor that links the north and south sides of the airfield while providing ground transportation needs across the Airport. A third award of $206,082 will fund design work for the reconstruction of a taxiway connector and apron taxiway. A local grant match of $16,772 will be funded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)."

October 6, 2025

Four total grants were awarded to the airport, including a grant match by the ADOT for $16,772. The three other grants were $363,485, $85,918 and $206,082, respectively.

February 18, 2026

The city council vote was originally scheduled for Feb. 9 but has been delayed by 45 days after receiving pushback from pilots. The city is accepting feedback through March 3.

April 10, 2024

"In the last five years, there have been five major hangar development projects completed at Falcon Field."

June 18, 2024

"Submissions to the Mesa Design Review Board show civil site work will include vehicle parking, outdoor equipment pads, utility connections, an asphalt aircraft apron, helicopter landing pads and access to the taxi lane."

August 2024

"The Midfield Crossover Taxiway project at Falcon Field Airport included construction of a new connector taxiway and the full realignment of Taxiways D7 and D8 to enhance aircraft circulation, bringing the airfield layout into compliance with FAA design standards."

August 26, 2024

"The developed land will remain part of the overall airport property, under DKS Properties long-term land lease in a development agreement with the Airport Authority and the city of Mesa."