The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport was the recipient of this year’s “Airport of the Year” award, sponsored annually by the Aeronautics Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation, (ADOT). Aeronautics Division Director, Barclay Dick, presented the award at the 2009 Arizona Airports Association’s, (AzAA) annual Spring Conference, held coincidently this year in Flagstaff.
“This year the competition for the award was intense,” said Mr. Dick. “All six nominated airports had many worthy accomplishments that merited consideration.”
After a thorough review by the Aeronautics Division staff and multiple ballots, Flagstaff was chosen because, among other things, it:
- Made an exceptional effort at communicating the progress and impact of a major runway and taxiway improvement project to elected officials, the business community, service and leadership groups, airport tenants and the public;
- Supported its local Civil Air Patrol squadron by providing meeting and aircraft storage space at no cost to the squadron;
- Helped the local Experimental Aircraft Association establish a light aircraft simulator on the airport;
- Provided volunteers for an aviation event at another airport in the region;
- Completed a $19 million runway extension and safety area project;
- Attracted a second scheduled airline which initiated service to Los Angeles;
- Completed a requisite environmental review to allow regional jet service at the airport;
- Rewrote the airport’s FAA Part 139 Certification Manual;
- Wrote and received FAA approval for the airport’s first Construction Safety Manual;
- Wrote a new Airport Security Plan;
- Obtained new snow removal equipment just in time for last December’s record 36” snowfall;
- Completed $1.1 million in terminal building security enhancements;
- Made multiple improvements to the airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting staff training and procedures, including training in aircraft ballistic recovery and inflatable air bag restraint harness systems;
- Received a “Business Achiever” award from the Chamber of Commerce;
- Received a proclamation and certificate of appreciation from the mayor and council;
- Completed a discrepancy-free FAA certification and safety inspection; and,
- Worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department to control the prairie dog population and reduce the presence of coyotes on the airport.
The selection criteria used by the Aeronautics Division consists of accomplishments in the areas of community relations, airport management, airport maintenance activities as well as innovative activities and programs implemented at the airport.
John Lauher, Airport Director accepted the award on behalf of the City of Flagstaff. A sign will be erected near the airport announcing Flagstaff Pulliam Airport as the 2009 “Airport of the Year.”
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