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The Truth about Jets, Aircraft Noise & Air Pollution, Sedona Airport
and the Future of Sedona as a Tourist Destinaton
The business of Sedona is complex and reflects the synergy of all of us doing
our part to make Sedona a great place to live and a wonderful place to visit.
Sedona Airport has been part of the area’s economy for the past 50 years and in recent years has increasingly become a
contributor to the growth of higher income, longer-staying, more frequent
visitors. The Sedona Airport’s 21 million dollar economic impact to the area is increasing because of the
increase in higher income visitors who arrive by aircraft.
Our future looks bright. Sedona is becoming more and more attractive to this
coveted resort visitor. The presence of Sedona Airport as a resort destination
airport which is professionally managed, pilot and visitor friendly,
safety-conscience, and traveler-convenient is contributing to this growth.
Sedona Airport management and airport supporters believes we can continue to
have this increase in higher income visitors who are taking advantage of our
superior airport without any negative impact on the quality of life in Sedona.
Sedona Airport continues to evolve as a good neighbor with emphasis on quiet
technology aircraft such as hi-tech helicopters for tour flights and affordable
very-light-jet “taxi” service (coming over the next few years), noise abatement procedures for pilots
flying in the area, and continuing efforts to build and operate a control tower
with a controlled airspace around Sedona. Eventually, along with the controlled
airspace, most of the offenders of our “reasonable quiet” goals will have disappeared since new aircraft are substantially quieter than
older aircraft. They also use cleaner operating engines. The day will come when
state-of-the-art jets are viewed as the friend of “reasonable quiet” goal.
We all know Sedona can be challenged by change – the anticipation of the future gives cause for anxiety and the “good old days” seem to be our preference over a future we can’t see. The Sedona Airport Authority believes it is wise for Sedona to continue
investing in our infrastructure to improve life in Sedona and to build a more
stable and dependable tourist economy.
Road improvements, sidewalks development and enhanced pedestrian lighting, road
realignments and traffic signals, and safety and beauty improvements to our
airport all contribute to the future we all want – a Sedona that is more enjoyable to live in and visit.
Over the past few years, Sedona Airport has made substantial investments in its
infrastructure to make the airport safer, more secure, more attractive, and
more functional. These improvements have been made without local tax funds.
Sedona Airport is operated under a contract with Yavapai County until 2050 as a
non-profit, public service corporation. The airport does not receive any public
funding since It’s operation is totally self-sufficient. Its charter is 100% focused on the
management of high-quality airport operations.
The prospect of a control tower operation with a controlled airspace around
Sedona is viewed as a positive development for the long term needs of the
airport and the community of Sedona. Airport management continues to work with
federal and state aviation agencies to obtain the necessary funding for a
control tower operation.
The airport’s commitment to be a good neighbor, pilot-friendly and professionally managed is
without question. Its board meetings are publicized and open to the public and
the board supports the continuing efforts of the Sedona Noise Abatement
Committee to study and monitor the airport’s “reasonable quiet” operational goals.
The future of Sedona is indeed brighter because we, as a community, have an
airport of the stature and quality of Sedona Airport.
Thank You,
The Sedona Airport Supporters Association
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