Goldy Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Talk of this airport closing below: Mr. William C. Withycombe Western-Pacific Regional Administrator Federal Aviation Administration AWP-9 PO Box 92007 Los Angeles, California 90009-2002 Re: Grand Canyon National Park Airport Dear Mr. Withycombe: If continuing negotiations between the Arizona legislature and the Governor do not result in an approved budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, the State of Arizona may cease many of its services. Among those services is the operation of the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. If there is not an approved budget for the new fiscal year prior to July 1, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will close the Grand Canyon National Park Airport at midnight on June 30, 2009. Should the airport be closed, it will remain closed until further notice. Closure of the airport will be communicated through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the airport manager. The standard “X” marking will be placed on each end of the airport’s runway to indicate the runway is closed to traffic. If you or your staff has any questions about the closure of the airport, please contact the airport manager, Mike Halpin or me. Mr. Halpin can be reached by telephone at 928-638-2446 and by email at mhalpin2@azdot.gov . My telephone number is 602-294-9144 and my email address is bdick@azdot.gov . Sincerely, Barclay Dick, A.A.E. Cc: John Halikowski, ADOT Director Matt Burdick, ADOT CCP Kim Stevens, ADOT – Aeronautics Division Mike Halpin, ADOT – Aeronautics Division Mark McClardy, FAA Brian Armstrong, FAA Anthony Garcia, FAA Quote
JDHelicopterPilot Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 I had this sent to me as well. We'll see if they are just using it as a political ploy to get what they want or if indeed it will close. If it closes that will be another big blow to tour operators already down from last year. There is anothe airport just a little south of there but that would mean more flight time and cost of moving operations. JD PS: I saw the old SSH Huey at that airport last week. Anyone know about it? Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Is that the airport where Papillon just built their multi-million dollar facility? or did they build it in Boulder City? Quote
adam32 Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Is that the airport where Papillon just built their multi-million dollar facility? or did they build it in Boulder City? I think they built it in Boulder... Quote
bluethunder Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 The airport to the south is Valle (pronounced "Valley). I landed there last week. Two restaurants within walking distance and a museum displaying old cars and airplanes. Very hospitable people, as well as a courtesy car. Quote
IFLY Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Last time I landed at Valle was in a hanglider...launched from just east of Prescott and it took over 5 hours. Jerry Quote
JDHelicopterPilot Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Valle is where I saw the SSH Huey parked on the East side. Saw it from the highway. Looked like a nice little airport. Pap. built thier new facility at Boulder City not at the South Rim. Although, most operators have a really nice facility at the South Rim location so it wouldn't be easy to just pack up and move South. JD Quote
Goldy Posted June 24, 2009 Author Posted June 24, 2009 Valle is where I saw the SSH Huey parked on the East side. Saw it from the highway. Looked like a nice little airport. Pap. built thier new facility at Boulder City not at the South Rim. Although, most operators have a really nice facility at the South Rim location so it wouldn't be easy to just pack up and move South. JD JD- I posted this one just for you, knowing it was within the sphere you fly in. Please keep us all posted if this closure actually happens. Goldy Quote
Linc Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Shame that they have to close so many of these, especially when part of the stimulus package is earmarked for improving smaller civil airports. Quote
Pogue Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 I think this is largely Arizona political theater - the Governor and Legislature are in something of a pissing contest over the budget at the moment. Notice they're not talking about overall funding, they're talking about the Arizona budget. Quote
JDHelicopterPilot Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Any one hear anything on this yet? Today is the deadline for the AZ budget and I have not heard anything as of yet. JD Quote
marvin-r Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 We offer a wide range of helicopter tours of Grand Canyon National Park including such tourist attractions as the Red Rocks of Sedona, the Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam, and Dragon Corridor.There is anothe airport just a little south of there but that would mean more flight time and cost of moving operations. grand canyon helicopter tours Quote
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