| Scottsdale Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 USGS photo | |||
| IATA: SCF – ICAO: KSDL – FAA LID: SDL | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | City of Scottsdale | ||
| Serves | Scottsdale, Arizona | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 1,510 ft / 460 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 3/21 | 8,249 | 2,514 | Asphalt |
| Statistics (2005) | |||
| Aircraft operations | 224,684 | ||
| Based aircraft | 471 | ||
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] | |||
Scottsdale Airport (IATA: SCF, ICAO: KSDL, FAA LID: SDL) is a city-owned public-use airport located nine miles (14 km) north of the central business district of Scottsdale, a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.[1] Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, Scottsdale Airport is assigned SDL by the FAA and SCF by the IATA (which assigned SDL to Midlanda Airport in Sundsvall, Sweden).[2][3]
As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 444,798 passenger boardings (or enplanements) in calendar year 2005 and 266 enplanements in 2006.[4] According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011, Scottsdale was designated as a reliever airport, which is a general aviation airport that may be used to relieve congestion at a large commercial service airport.[5]
It is one of the busiest single-runway facilities in the nation, with approximately 202,000 operations in 2004. The airport averages approximately 10,000 passengers a year. The airport offers clearance, ground and tower services from 1300Z to 0400Z (6 am to 9 pm local time) daily.[6]
Neighbors complain about aircraft noise around the airport, with over 9,000 complaints being logged in 2004 alone. However, it is unlikely that the airport would close, due to Federal grant assurances, and the tremendous economic impact it provides for Scottsdale. Also, the land would revert to the Seventh-day Adventist Church (which founded the airport), under the deed that the city of Scottsdale signed with the church to make the airport municipal. [7]
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During World War II the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Force Army Air Forces Training Command as "Thunderbird Field #2" on June 22, 1942, as a primary flight training school for aviation cadets. Since its inception, Thunderbird #2 graduated more than 5,500 students, a total three times greater than the entire total contemplated by the AAF's original expansion program. In addition, Thunderbird #2 pilots flew nearly 26,500,000 miles, more than 3,000 times around the world at the equator. The school was deactivated on October 16, 1944.
While in operation, Thunderbird #2 underwent a transformation that took it from a small piece of isolated desert to a primary training school. This transformation is attributable to Air Force officers such as General Henry H. Arnold and Lieutenant General B.K. Yount (commander of the Army Air Forces Training Command, and the civilian contract school operated by Leland Hayward and John H. Connelly.
One of three Southwest Airways' training schools in the Valley, Thunderbird #2's first class of cadets, arriving before the field was pronounced ready for occupancy, had to be trained at Thunderbird Field #1 in Glendale. Not until July 22, could all personnel, consisting then of 28 flight instructors, move to Scottsdale. Throughout World War II, Thunderbird #2 devoted its every facility to the training of more and more cadets. In November 1943, the peak was reached; 615 cadets who flew an average of two hours a day, making 1,845 separate takeoffs and landings. In a period of ten weeks, students received a total of 65 hours of flight training and 109 hours of ground school. In spite of the intensified training, the field gained a widespread reputation for thoroughness of instruction and high caliber graduates.
An increase in the number of students brought about a similar gain in the number of persons employed, until in January, 1944, Thunderbird II's payroll boasted 508 employees, with a total monthly salary expenditure of $115,247. Gradually the tempo slowed as World War II came to an end. So well did civilian contractors complete their initial assignment, that by August 4, 1944, only 40 of the original 64 primary schools were still in operation. At the closing of Thunderbird #2, only 15 remained opened to complete the task of primary training.
After the war, Arizona State Teachers College (now Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona), acquired the airport in order to implement its own aviation program. Distance from the college campus and cost of operating an aviation program soon convinced the college to abandon its plans.
Scottsdale Airport covers an area of 282 acres (114 ha) which contains one asphalt paved runway (3/21) measuring 8,249 x 100 ft (2,514 x 30 m).[1]
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2005, the airport had 224,684 aircraft operations, an average of 615 per day: 95% general aviation, 5% air taxi and <1% military. There are 471 aircraft based at this airport: 59% single engine, 19% multi-engine, 20% jet aircraft and 2% helicopters.[1]
FBOs include the Scottsdale Air Center and Landmark Aviation (formerly Corporate Jets). Rural/Metro fire department has a facility located midfield adjacent to the tower.
Cooper Aerial Surveys Co. is based out of the airpark.
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