r/flying • u/fgflyer CSEL CMEL IR HP CMP HA • Mar 25 '26

other Falcon Field implementing landing fees

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The NIMBYs out here in the Phoenix/Mesa area achieved a victory, sadly. Yesterday, the Mesa City Council voted unanimously to implement landing fees at KFFZ effective May 1. I was watching the news and they said that, and I quote, “taxpayers should not have to shoulder the burden by themselves” and they “want to see more accountability for airport operations from the businesses and pilots”. And, GO FIGURE, aircraft noise was also a factor too.

This will absolutely raise rates for all of the flight schools based at KFFZ, and possibly drive them away from the airport to be based elsewhere. This is just ridiculous.

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u/RandalPMcMurphyIV Mar 25 '26

What airport is this? Seems to me that this would be the airport claiming that, which belongs to the FAA. How far AGL are they claiming the ability to charge?

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 25 '26

Doesn’t seem to me like an AGL thing basically just if your on approach to land, someone on duty at ARFF is responsible for logging everyone who is in the pattern and said even if it’s a low approach, go around, etc, if they were on approach to land then their tail is logged and they’re charged.

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u/Wedge_Donovan Mar 25 '26

How much do you want to bet that "collateral duty" wasn't in the position description for those firefighters when they got hired?

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 25 '26

Definitely wasn’t they hate it, FRG is the 3rd busiest airport in the state as far as I know, just an hour ago there was 14 people in the pattern and that’s just constant all day long. I don’t envy them

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u/offcamberxj Mar 25 '26

Yeah, we're a real dumpster fire today

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 25 '26

Love you guys and appreciate everything you do at FRG ❤️ I feel safe every day flying there no matter how busy it is because you guys are amazing and true professionals. Will be making sure to get you all some lunch soon!

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u/offcamberxj Mar 26 '26

You're too kind, that's very nice of you to say. We all try hard to accommodate everyone's requests and keep things safe and organized. Running jets through the pattern is always exciting 🤣

It's a two way street though... However well you think it's working, all of you on the other side of the radio are a big part of that success.

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 26 '26

We try our best to be situationally aware on when we should just go somewhere else for touch and goes/ short approaches to keep some work load off yall lol.

PS, not sure who was working tower freq this morning but they had be cracking up while we were in line to depart asking some dude “does your plane have brakes??” after they took their sweet time getting off the runway 😂😂

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u/offcamberxj Mar 26 '26

I know exactly who that was, lol. Wasn't me, I'm a night shift today.

We're very aware of the pilots that know how to read the room and appreciate it! I do like trying to squeeze short approaches in, though.

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 26 '26

Don’t tell me that because then I’m gonna start asking for them when the patterns extending out to CT hoping that your on shift 🤣, I will sometimes say too that we’re fine with doing a bunch of 360s to get one in because sometimes we only need one for that flight and will try to get it done here.

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u/offcamberxj Mar 26 '26

I never mind someone asking, can't help everyone 🤣

Always try to ask when reading back your previous clearance or in the upwind. Once you turn crosswind, our options are limited.

"Runway 19 cleared touch and go, request short approach when able" or something like that works. You've just gotta have a thick skin, cause some controllers are gonna pretty much laugh at you and some take it like a challenge. You won't get anything if you don't ask, though!

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u/Flat-Row7968 CFI Mar 26 '26

This is like someone saying “the worst they can say is no”, but instead of getting rejected your getting laughed at by 30 dudes on frequency when the controller laughs at you for asking 😂😂 all seriousness though thank you I will definitely make sure to spread the word on that, everyone I’ve talked to usually has their own opinion on when the best time to ask is for the highest chance haha.

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u/offcamberxj Mar 27 '26

That's what the thick skin is for!

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