Fox News: Airplanes grounded by coronavirus find indefinite parking spaces in Southwest deserts

Thousands of daily flights continue to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, forcing to ground airplanes across the world.

In the U.S., some airlines are sending their aircraft to temporary homes in the deserts in the Southwest, where they can be cared for in the long term until operations can return to normal.

Photo by Stephanie Bennett, Fox News

Several airports are offering long-term parking spots all the way from New Mexico to California. From small regional air centers to big international airports, everyone is lending a helping hand during these trying times.

Click to read the original story from Fox News.

Marana Regional Airport To Host U.S. Marine Memorial Service

Marine Memorial at Marana Regional Airport/Photo courtesy Tucson Local Media

Tom Wilson, Sr., Commandant of the Nighthawk 72 Marana Detachment #1344 Marine Corps League, announced today that there will be a Memorial Service at the Marana Regional Airport on Saturday, April 6, 2018 at 10:00AM to honor the 19 U.S. Marines that were tragically killed in an MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft accident at the Airport on April 8, 2000. 

The ceremony will include posting of colors by the Marine Corps; wreath laying by various organizations; guest speakers Honorable Mayor Honea, Department of Arizona Marine Corps League Commandant John Rodriguez, and Cpl Joshua Hanson, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines 0331 Machine Gunner; rifle salute, taps, bagpiper and vocalist Amanda Sinner. 

A special missing man formation flyover provided by the Scorpion Squadron of the West Coast Ravens Formation Team. 

The event is free and open to the public. 

March 16, 2019 the roadside memorial was moved slightly northeast and a parking area was created. The new area is more suitable for the ceremony. 

 Additional Background Information The MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft was conducting a training mission in support of Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down at the Marana Regional Airport in Marana, Arizona on April 8, 2000. During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission was conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles and forward looking infrared radar to enhance night operational capability. This mishap aircraft was part of the Multiservice Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent River, Maryland, but was temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. 

The 19 Marines Lost were as follows: 

3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division 
Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28
Pfc. Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21 Pfc. Alfred Corona, 23 
Lance Cpl. Jason T. Duke, 28
Lance Cpl. Jesus Gonzalez Sanchez, 27
Lance Cpl. Seth G. Jones, 18
2nd Lt. Clayton J. Kennedy, 24
Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Morin, 21
Cpl. Adam C. Neely, 22
Pfc. Kenneth O. Paddio, 23
Pfc. George P. Santos, 24
Lance Cpl. Keoki P. Santos, 24
Cpl. Can Soler, 21
Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19 

 Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38 
Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21

Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
Maj. John A. Brow, 39
Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34
Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22

Marine Tilt-Rotor Training Squadron 204
Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30 

Marana In The Media: Bringing history to life in Marana

The Marana News had a story about this weekend’s Wings of Freedom tour at the Marana Airport.

An interactive tour coming to Marana gives the term “history lesson” a whole new meaning. This WWII plane tour brings real, fully restored World War II-era planes to Marana for a chance to brush up on history and experience what it was like to be around these giant metal birds.

The Collins Foundation is an educational, nonprofit organization that puts the “Wings of Freedom” tours together. Going to over 30 cities across the United States, the tour will take place at the Marana Regional Airport from March 29 to 31. 

The Town of Marana has been one of the tour’s stops for about 15 years, giving the community a little piece of World War II history no one else could provide. Attendees can even hop inside of each plane and take it up into the air with a pilot for a fee. 

Read the rest of the story at the Marana News.

The Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to the Marana Regional Airport from March 29-March 31.

January 2019 is General Aviation Appreciation Month in Marana

At the January 15 Marana Town Council meeting it was proclaimed that January 2019 would be proclaimed as General Aviation Appreciation Month.

The proclamation states that the Town of Marana has a significant interest in the “continued vitality of general aviation, aircraft manufacturing, aviation educational institutions, aviation organizations, and community airports.” Additionally the proclamation recognizes the important economic impact the Marana Regional Airport has on the Town of Marana and surrounding areas.

As part of the proclamation, Marana residents are urged to “support the businesses and industries that contribute to general aviation as an important public benefit to the community and economic resource to the region.”

The Marana Regional Airport is currently in the midst of a $6 million improvement project that includes paving reconstruction, lighting upgrades, and drainage improvements.

Marana News: Marana Regional Airport to receive $5.5 million grant

Photo by Tucson Local Media.

The Marana Regional Airport will receive a $4.5 million grant to repair an aircraft parking apron, and a $1 million grant to repair a taxiway.

The news came as part of U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announcement that the Federal Aviation Administration will award $770.8 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program funding. 

“These Airport Improvement Grants are investments in our country’s critical infrastructure,” Chao said.  “These grants are down payments to ensure Marana Regional Airport remains an economic engine as demand grows...”  

Grants help fund airport repairs

On Tuesday, July 19 the Marana Town Council approved the Town Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for funding to aid in the Marana Regional Airport’s Apron and Taxiway Rehabilitation project.

The Marana Regional Airport will undergo total reconstruction of the asphalt for several aprons and one of the taxiways. This $5.1 million project will pay a number of dividends for the airport and the Town of Marana. 

“First and foremost, replacing the surface will make it safer,” said Marana Regional Airport Director Steve Miller. “As the surface gets older, it begins to degrade and can become dangerous to both people and planes. With corporate jets costing as much as $85 million, it is very important to make sure debris does not damage aircraft.”

This project is a complete removal and reconstruction of approximately one million square feet of pavement. The project will not only restore the surface, but improve it. Marana Regional Airport was never designed for jets and, save for the runways, the pavement was not meant for the larger aircraft that now land at the facility on a daily basis. The strength of the existing pavement is currently not sufficient to support the weight of some of the private jets that park on the aprons. The new pavement will be designed to accommodate the weight of the aircraft that utilize this airport.

The new surface will also be cost-effective because it will require less maintenance. Currently, staff must sweep the pavement and remove debris that builds up over time.

“With less focus on the pavement, staff can turn their attention to other operational needs,” Miller said.

The FAA grant is for $4,497,369 while the Arizona Department of Transportation will contribute $220,769. The cost to the Town is $476,724 some of which will come from other FAA monies that were set aside by the airport in anticipation of this project. Additionally, the Town is working with Pima Aviation to enter into an agreement to be reimbursed approximately $132,717 for the ineligible construction costs that are a benefit to Pima Aviation's operations.

With this reimbursement the Town's costs would be reduced to approximately $327,142. 

Marana News: Marana performing strong through third quarter

Photo of the Marana Regional Airport by Tucson Local Media

Marana News published a story on Marana's third quarter financials on June 13.

As Marana finishes the third quarter of the current fiscal year, revenues continue to exceed expenditures, with few exceptions.

In the airport fund, expenses continue to exceed revenues; although the gap is shrinking. Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta said it’s rare for a general aviation airport, rather than commercial, to generate enough revenue to cover its expenses. Mehta added that the airport is estimated at bringing $18 million annually to the region in the form of jobs, local spending from visitors and money spent on luxury items such as high-end hotels and timeshare jets.

The airport is “generating wealth for the entire region,” Mehta said. “Don’t count it as a debt. Count it as an investment.” 

Future of Marana Regional Airport taking shape

There is a lot going on at Marana Regional Airport. Town staff are constantly working on ways to improve the facility and provide better service to those using the airport, whether they are long time tenants or travelers making a quick stop in Marana. 

Improvements at the airport are funded in a variety of ways, but the most significant improvements occur through grants. Since 2013, the town has collected $9.7 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

At the end of August, the Marana Regional Airport will undergo total reconstruction of the asphalt for several aprons and one of the taxiways. This $6.3 million project will pay a number of dividends for the airport, and the town. 

First and foremost, replacing the surface will make it safer. As the surface gets older, it begins to degrade and can become dangerous to both people and planes. With corporate jets costing as much as $85 million, it is very important to make sure debris does not damage aircraft. 

This project will not only restore the surface, but improve it. Marana Regional Airport was never designed for jets and, save for the runways, the pavement was not meant for the larger aircraft that now land at the facility on a daily basis. The new pavement will be strengthened nearly three-fold over the previous surface, which not only makes it safer, but adds longevity. 

The new surface means less maintenance. Currently, staff must sweep the pavement and remove debris that builds up over time. With less focus on the pavement, staff can turn their attention to other operational needs. 

The reconstruction project will last about six months and, despite some temporary inconveniences to areas of the airport, I really believe the end result will be worth it. 

The FAA will fund the bulk of the project with their grants, paying for over 91 percent of the costs. ADOT and the Town of Marana will each cover about 4.47 percent of the project, with the airport using additional discretionary funds that come from the FAA. Every year, the FAA gives General Aviation Airports such as Marana $150,000, which the airport can bank for up to four years to fund a major project. 

Grant money also helps town staff plan for the future. Back in 2014, the town used grant money to update its Airport Master Plan and create a Strategic Business Plan. The master plan lays out how the Town envisions airport growth and expansion over the next 20 years. The plan not only provides a valuable guide for the future, but having the plan makes the town eligible for FAA and ADOT funding.  

The growth of the airport is predicated on bringing in more businesses and air traffic. These goals are addressed by the Airport Strategic Business Plan. The plan establishes strategies to achieve business goals, further establishes a vision for the facility and creates a focused strategy for development. 

Part of the current strategy is to reach out to corporations and its pilots to market the airport. It is typically pilots, not the passengers, of private jets who choose which airports to utilize. The airport will be more proactive in reaching out to organizations like the National Business Aviation Association and promoting Marana Regional Airport as a viable alternative to Tucson International Airport and other regional options. 

Keeping existing businesses and courting new businesses to Marana is also a key component to the future growth of Marana Regional Airport. The Town Council just approved new and consolidated leases with Pima Aviation Inc. that are going to be beneficial to both the town and businesses. 

The military uses Marana Regional Airport for over 22,000 operations a year. Military and defense are other avenues where the airport could continue to grow.

With over 300 days of sunshine and little in the way of competition, Marana is perfectly suited for new businesses. Marana Regional Airport hopes to bring an additional flight school to Marana, and staff has had many positive discussions. There is a looming airline pilot shortage, and flight schools are a lucrative business in the current climate.

So why should the town invest in the airport? Current estimates have Marana Regional Airport generating between $18 million to $20 million for Marana and the region. In fact, one of the reasons the Ritz-Carlton chose Dove Mountain was the proximity to the airport.

There are a lot of exciting things happening at the airport and many more to come. Much like the Town of Marana itself, Marana Regional Airport has room to grow and expand, and the best is yet to come. 

Steve Miller is the Town of Marana Regional Airport Director.

Marana Macro Machines: educational and fun

The Town of Marana capped off Public Works Week 2018 with the first Marana Macro Machines event. Upwards of 1,000 people showed up to Marana Heritage River Park to check out all of the vehicles from Public Works, Police, Northwest Fire District, and more:

• Public Works provided vehicles, demonstrations, and a few giveaways. 
  • The Public Works Department had a wide variety of vehicles including a motor grader, a dump truck, a wheel loader, a drum roller, and more.
  • They gave children a hands on demonstration on how they locate and mark pipes, gas lines, and power lines underground. 
  • They handed out free flowers, ice pops, and plastic hard hats. 
• The Marana Police Department provided vehicles, demonstrations, and music.
  • Among the vehicles on hand were patrol cars, motorcycles, and SUV's. Children were allowed to explore the police vehicles, including turning on flashers and talking into the radio. 
  • Pima Regional SWAT had their armored vehicle on hand as well, and children were allowed to climb in that vehicle as well. 
  • The Marana Police Explorers, teens learning about law enforcement, conducted a simulated traffic stop. 
• Traffic Engineering and Traffic Operations provided displays and presentations. 
  • Among the displays were information on traffic signals, traffic control plans, roundabouts, and traffic signs.
  • They handed out stickers made from the same reflective material that is used on stop signs to make them visible at night. 
• The Marana Water Department provided the water purification display vehicle. 
  • The vehicle opens up to show all of the various filtration and purification processes including chlorine disinfection, granular activated carbon, UV/advanced oxidation, reverse osmosis, and ultrafiltration. 
• Animal Services and the Humane Society showcased some adorable puppies, as well as displays on their services.
• The Marana Regional Airport had a table where they educated people about the facility, and helped organize the helicopter landing from one of their tenants. The helicopter landed on the street in front of the park, and then was opened up to allow children to sit inside. 
• Northwest Fire DIstrict brought out a fire truck, while the NW Fire Local 3572 grilled up hotdogs and hamburgers.
• Thanks to Parks and Recreation for making sure Marana Heritage River Park looked great and showcased their community garden and event spaces.
• Credit also goes to the City of Tucson, the National Weather Service, and Pima Regional SWAT.

April 7 service will honor victims of Nighthawk crash

On Saturday, April 7 at 10:00am at the Marana Regional Airport, the Marine Corps League Nighthawk 72 will host the 18th Anniversary Memorial Service to honor the 19 Marines who lost their lives in an training accident. 

A devastating tragedy occurred on the night of April 8, 2000, when an Air Force training mission went awry and an Osprey aircraft crashed at the Marana Regional Airport killing all 19 Marines on board. The investigation into the accident took over a year, but finally the survivors were able to have some closure during a memorial service near the site of the crash.

The Marana Town Council and Staff came together to erect a flagpole flying the U.S. flag, the Arizona State Flag, and the Marine Corps flag at the memorial site along with a plaque with the names and ranks of each serviceman. Many federal, state and local officials were on hand to honor these brave men.  A memorial service has been held each year since then, and the local Marine Corps league, named Nighthawk 72 in honor of the fallen aircraft, have added memorial artifacts over the years dedicated to keeping the memory of the event alive, never to be forgotten by the families and friends.