What exactly are we looking at here?

No, we didn't catch any unidentified flying objects. Instead it's an extraordinary long-exposure photo of a pretty ordinary thing – jet airliners taking off out of Sky Harbor International Airport.

Why, you ask, are we sharing a photo from an airport? Shouldn't we be looking down at the highway?

Well, consider this a reminder that ADOT encompasses more than just building and maintaining state highways and freeways (though we spend a lot of time on that too!). As we've talked about in previous blogs, in 1974 the Arizona Highway Department was merged with the Aeronautics Department to create the Arizona Department of Transportation. To this day ADOT continues to play a role in airport development, the Motor Vehicle Divsion registers aircraft and ADOT operates the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. 

With all that in mind, feel free to fly away on this fantastic shot!

It’s been little more than a century since the Wright brothers flew the first flying machine just outside of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and modern air travel is almost unrecognizable from its humble roots. Today, ADOT's Aeronautics Group handles the business end of airport development in Arizona.

“The Aeronautics Department was set up in statutes in 1963,” former Aeronautics Group Manager Michael Klein said. “From 1963 to 1965, the Grand Canyon Airport was designed, built and open for business. Then the governor decided we needed a joint transportation agency.”

From that time until 1974, the Aeronautics Department acted in the capacity of Arizona’s aviation agency, Klein explained, and was solely responsible for air travel in Arizona. In July 1974, the governor merged the Aeronautics Department and the Arizona Highway Department, together making the Arizona Department of Transportation. From then until the early 2000s, the Aeronautics Division, as it was known then, took care of aircraft registrations and oversaw operations at Grand Canyon National Park Airport.

The Aeronautics Division functioned mostly autonomously, with anything having to do with aviation going through it. Then, in the early 2000s, the Aeronautics Division was reorganized within ADOT. The aircraft registration unit was sent to the Motor Vehicle Division, the airport development group went to the Multimodal Planning Division and Grand Canyon National Park Airport was organized under the Administrative Services Division.

Klein spent 11 years as an airport development consultant and 18 years managing four commercial service airports before coming to ADOT.

“My time there were some of my most enjoyable and productive years. My time with ADOT gave me the greatest amount of satisfaction and enjoyment.”

Nowadays, the Aeronautics Group is dedicated to dispersing grant funding to eligible capital improvement projects at qualifying airports. There are 67 airports in their system and $20 million to allocate each year. That funding is usually divided four different ways:

• Matching FAA grants for runways, taxiways, aprons etc. (90% FAA / 5% ADOT / 5% airport)
• Funding airport improvement projects directly (90% ADOT / 10% airport)
• Funding pavement maintenance (90% ADOT / 10% airport)
• Conducting planning studies, including economic impact studies of airports

According to the last Economic Impact Study (2013), aviation generates $58 billion to the state annually. Nearly 17% of all Arizona jobs are related to the aviation industry. That’s about 410,000 jobs generated, with an annual payroll of $21.1 billion. Keeping Arizona’s airports in good working order is critical to supporting one of Arizona’s most important economic assets.

The Aeronautics Groups continues to work with Arizona’s airports to make sure they remain functional to their customers. Air travel is a vital part of Arizona’s economy, and ADOT is an important piece that helps the system work.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Pinal Airpark was once known as an airport graveyard that stored old jets, along with conducting military training and government operations. Today, the Marana airport has been resurrected thanks to a new lease and grant funding. Because of its progress, ADOT recently honored Pinal Airpark as 2016 Airport of the Year.

The airport has overcome many challenges. It’s working to become more accessible to public aviation and become compliant with FAA requirements. Improvements include runway rehabilitation and adopting a master plan. A $2.4 million investment in pavement upgrades was funded by Pinal County and the State Aviation Fund.

The Airport of the Year award recognizes Pinal Airpark for dramatically improving its runway and taxiway pavement. The pavement's poor condition had affected the airport’s eligibility for federal and state grant funds for capital improvements. Better pavement also means a safer environment for planes to take off and land.

Pinal Airpark Director Jim Petty said, “All the elements needed for this effort fell into place after many years of not being able to address and cure the issues. It took county leadership, new ownership of the tenant company that held the lease, many hours of negotiation, and the guidance of the FAA and ADOT Aeronautics.”

Because of an exclusive lease, the airpark was known to be unwelcoming to general aviators. Now, pilots as well as tourists are encouraged to visit.

Petty wants everyone to appreciate Pinal Airpark’s history. It was once a training ground for pilots in World War II and the Korean conflict. Old planes are still retired to the airpark, and it’s still home to a commercial aircraft storage facility that provides maintenance and repair.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for the Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in community relations, management, maintenance, programs and innovation.

What we’ve got for you today isn’t exactly groundbreaking news, but we think you’ll find it kind of interesting…

See the pond in the photo at right? It’s actually a water source being used on the SR 24 project in east Mesa (we’ve blogged before about how crucial water is on a construction site – it helps with dust control and compaction).

Look a little closer and you’ll see a grid made of ropes.

Wonder why it’s there? We did, so we asked the project’s resident engineer and learned that the rope grid was placed in the pond for no other reason except to keep the birds away (by the way, ADOT’s resident engineers oversee projects and ensure that everything is built according to the construction contract and ADOT’s requirements).

Birds are not typically a top priority on most ADOT projects, but the SR 24 site happens to be near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

Since birds and airplanes really don’t mix, the goal was to NOT invite big flocks that potentially could interfere with airport operations. Birds (rather, the desire to not attract birds) also factored into the landscape design on SR 143 near the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

We told you it wasn’t earth-shattering, but it’s these types of unusual factoids that we find fascinating because they go to show just how much has to be considered on an ADOT project.

Stay tuned … we’ll be on the lookout for more to share with you!

Lake Havasu City has long been recognized as one of Arizona’s premier spots for travel and tourism. The city’s airport is essential to the flourishing tourism industry, and is now being recognized for its superior service and accomplishments over the past year...

ADOT has named the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport as the 2013 Airport of the Year. The award was presented to the airport manager and staff earlier this month at the Arizona Airports Association Spring Conference in Page at the Lake Powell Resort and Marina.

“We are thrilled to receive this award from ADOT and to be recognized for our efforts as we serve our customers and our community,” said Steve Johnston, supervisor and manager of the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport. “We are considered a gateway to the region for businesses, tourists and events, and we embrace our role as ambassadors to our visitors. As an airport, our goal is to enhance visitors’ positive memories of Lake Havasu and hopefully attract them to return for future visits.”

About the airport

Each year, the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport logs approximately 50,000 takeoffs and landings. It houses 142 aircraft on its 646-acre facility. There are only four full-time staff members who keep the airport running smoothly every day. Many flight-training students from around the world routinely use the airport, and the facility also attracts corporate aircraft flying into and out of Southern California.

Some of the airport’s major successes and accomplishments over the past year include:

Plane parking lot

• In July 2012, the airport partnered with the Rio-Colorado chapter of The Ninety-Nines, Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots to host the national Air Race Classic and serve as a starting point for this historic race. This event dates back to 1929.
• Partnered with a fixed-base operator at the airport in July 2012 to host an international helicopter manufacturing company for certification testing of rotorcraft.
• Hosted an Army search and rescue Blackhawk exercise in July 2012.
• Partnered with the Air Force Academy to host the Collegian Flight Training Competition in March 2012.
• Hosted Luke Air Force Base for an F-16 emergency landing repair and mechanics security effort in September 2012.

The estimated direct local economic impact to the community due to these activities is approximately $194,000.

“We are very pleased to recognize Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport for their exceptional service and commitment to Arizona’s system of airports,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Tourism is the backbone of the Lake Havasu City economy and the airport plays a vital role in ensuring that everyday operations provide services that meet customers’ needs. It’s proof that a medium-size airport with a small staff can do great things to attract visitors, businesses, the military and special events.”

Aeronautics and airport development at ADOT

While there are 114 airports across Arizona, 83 airports — including 11 privately owned airfields and 14 Native American-owned airports — are identified in ADOT’s system of airports. These 83 airports vary in size and serve different functions in meeting Arizona’s aviation and economic needs. Arizona’s total economic impact from this system of airports is $58 billion annually, according to ADOT research. ADOT works with 65 of the 83 airports throughout the federal and state grant process as part of the Airport Development Program.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in the areas of community relations, airport management, airport maintenance activities, and innovative activities and programs implemented at airports.

Visit ADOT’s Aeronautics Group Web page for more information.

Smooth takeoffs and easy landings require airport runways that are maintained and cared for … because no pilot (or passenger) wants to hit a pothole on the taxiway.

But, keeping an airport’s pavement in good condition takes some vigilance – extreme temperatures, wear from heavy loads and age can all take their toll on pavement. Smaller, publicly owned airports in the state might not have the budget, or the manpower, to handle needed repairs.

That’s where the Arizona Airport Pavement Management System steps in …

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group, part of the Multimodal Planning Division, runs the program that evaluates pavement conditions of airports in the state and helps fund maintenance and restoration projects. The APMS got its start in 2000 to help monitor the conditions of Arizona ’s airport system (a multi-million dollar investment of public and private funds) and assist in the preservation of its infrastructure.

How it works …

Every three years ADOT’s Aeronautics Group facilitates the survey of all 52 publicly owned/public use airports that participate in the state’s pavement management program. The pavement is inspected at each of the airports to determine the conditions of the runways, taxiways, T-hangars, aprons and helipads.

To give you an idea of how much pavement we’re talking about, according to the most recent Arizona Airport Pavement Management System Update, 140.3 million square feet of pavement was inspected in 2010 – that’s the equivalent of a two-lane highway stretching from Phoenix to Seattle, Washington!

Each airport is given a “score” called a Pavement Condition Index. That PCI number ranges from 0-100 and can mean major rehabilitation is needed or just some routine maintenance.

From there, that information is put into a database. Each airport gets a copy of all the information, including airport histories, maps, photos, tutorial information for the airports regarding PCI methods, maintenance planning and documentation.

Not only does this information help the airport’s staff take some next steps, but it also satisfies a public law that states any airport receiving any federal funding has to have a pavement maintenance program in place (this is a requirement for state grants, too).

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group looks at all the recommended projects from the survey and prioritizes them into a 5-8 year plan.

Then the work gets started!

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group hires a consultant for design and construction management for the top priority projects. Next, ADOT’s procurement office advertises the project for construction bids.

Airports only pay 10 percent of the construction costs and the Aeronautics Group funds the rest. (For a little more information on how the state aviation fund works, check out this blog post.)

State Airport Engineer Holly Hawkins says the program helps airports maintain their investment and having a consistent program that allows all the data to be gathered in one place, really helps with funding decisions, too.

Historically, this program has used about $3-4 million for pavement preservation projects each year, but ADOT's Aeronautics Manager Michael Klein says this fiscal year that number could increase to about $7-8 million. The funding increase is attributed to the program's recent hiatus due to budget cuts. Klein says there is some catching up to do.

National recognition …

The program recently earned significant recognition from the National Association of State Aviation Officials. The APMS earned the 2011 Most Innovative State Program Award earlier this month. According to the NASAO newsletter, the award was established to recognize truly unique and service-oriented state aviation programs.

It was also noted that, “the statewide system focus allows consistent application, economy of scale and maximum efficiency in evaluation, recommendations, design and programming.”

Klein says the award reflects the effort of the department…  

“It’s just recognition for a lot of hard work from folks here,” Klein said.

More on ADOT’s Aeronautics Group can be found on the group’s webpage.

Few situations are as stressful as hitting traffic on your way to the airport … especially if you’re holding on to that non-refundable ticket for a trip out of town.

But, with more than 100,000 passengers arriving at and departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport each day, there’s bound to be some congestion every once in a while.

That’s why ADOT is working on reconstructing the State Route 143/Sky Harbor Boulevard Traffic Interchange to improve access to and from the airport.

This project includes the addition of southbound auxiliary lanes, which allow motorists the ability to merge or continue to the next exit, as well as new interchange ramps and signage.

The two new ramps are being constructed on SR 143 to help commuters get directly in and out of the airport … that direct access should cut a few minutes off drivers’ commutes!

A third ramp will connect commuters traveling on westbound Sky Harbor Blvd. directly onto southbound SR 143 … this should help ease the traffic congestion at the intersection of Sky Harbor Blvd. and SR 143 by allowing drivers to bypass the intersection all together and gain quicker access to I-10.

The project also includes the reconstruction of a ramp on the east side of SR 143 to make for a safer and smoother roadway.

Valley residents and motorists passing through the area can also look forward to new directional signage and enhanced landscaping once the project is complete.

Work started in mid-January and should be finished by summer 2012. Travel impacts will include lane restrictions and closures of SR-143, Sky Harbor Boulevard and adjacent on- and off-ramps. ADOT continues to partner with Valley cities and the airport to minimize this impact.

Airports may not be the first thing most people think of when it comes to ADOT … but the Arizona Department of Transportation actually plays an important role in aeronautics and the development of airports across the state.

Just like automobiles, all aircraft based in Arizona must be registered with MVD. Those registration fees, along with flight property, aircraft dealer licensing and aviation fuel taxes – paid by pilots and aircraft owners – go toward the state aviation fund.

Each year that fund is used to assist eligible airports in the state’s system.

One of the main ways ADOT’s Aeronautics Group does this is by awarding grants to airports for projects identified in the Airport Capital Improvement Plan.

This five-year plan is created in conjunction with airports and the Federal Aviation Administration. It is annually reviewed and approved by the State Transportation Board.

Airports can receive state-funded grants that require a small percentage of matching funds, or, they can receive grants from the FAA.

Those federal funds require the airport to come up with matching funds, too. However, some projects are eligible for some assistance with those matching funds – the state’s aviation fund will kick in half of the airport’s required match – making big projects relatively affordable for some of our state's smaller airports. 

The Airport Loan Program is pretty much what it sounds like ... a program that awards loans to airports.

But, these loans go toward projects that don’t typically qualify for grants ... the projects are ones that can make money for an airport.

“But they’re important,” says ADOT’s Aeronautics Manager Michael Klein.

He says the loans can be used for things like hangars, restaurants, parking, airport fuel stations and land acquisitions. The Aeronautics Group has approved roughly 18 loans over the past 10 years, Klein says.

The Airport Pavement Management System is another way money from the state aviation fund comes back to the airports.

State Airport Engineer Holly Hawkins explains that ADOT’s Aeronautics Group does regular studies on pavement conditions at the 53 participating airports in the state.

“We study all of them and update every three years,” she said.

The study identifies all the cracks and bumps in airport runways and then breaks down projects by priority.

Hawkins said the ADOT Aeronautics Group covers the design and construction of a handful of pavement preservation projects each year to the tune of $3-4 million. The airport or municipality pays back just 10 percent of project costs.

This program, which started in 2000, helps smaller airports that might not have the budgets to complete these projects on their own comply with FAA requirements.

Besides the funding programs above, the Aeronautics Group has other ways in which it supports aviation in Arizona .

Several statewide studies are completed on a regular basis by ADOT's aeronautics group, including land-use studies and an economic study that looks at how airports are an economic engine for the communities in which they’re located.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group also publishes convenient maps for pilots and awards its “Airport of the Year” recognition annually.

Klein says all the work performed by the Aeronautics Group not only answers what is outlined by state statute, but helps provide public support and funding opportunities to airports.

“Airports typically are very expensive infrastructure and they’re predominately used by the public … it takes a lot of public investment (to keep them operating),” he said.