City looks for Ponderosa to sign 30-day extension
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — On Monday, the Safford City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance to temporarily maintain operations at the Safford Regional Airport/1LT Duane Spalsbury Field.
Safford Regional Airport Manager Cameron Atkins addressed the council after meeting during executive session and encouraged it to adopt the emergency ordinance.
“Due to change in the fixed-based operator at the airport (the FBO), the city of Safford needs to declare an emergency to maintain operations at the airport in the interim basis,” Atkins told the council.
Counselor Steve McGaughey moved to approve the ordinance, which was unanimously approved. The ordinance authorizes emergency purchasing authority to sustain aviation fuel availability at Safford and adopts a new fee schedule.
The city is stepping in after Ponderosa Aviation did not renew its agreement to be the fixed-based operator (FBO). According to the city of Safford, the city is still attempting to work with Ponderosa and has a term sheet for a 30-day extension. However, no documents have as yet been signed.
During an economic partnership breakfast forum on health care put on by Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center earlier this month, Dr. Rex Bryce, the owner of Ponderosa Aviation and Ponderosa Metal Works—which is based at the Airport Industrial Park—advised that the city’s fees and administrative processes led him to decide not to renew the operator agreement. He has further commented on social media posts that his issues with airport management are one of the reasons why Ponderosa has declined to serve as FBO any longer. The Gila Herald offered Ponderosa Aviation an opportunity to comment, but has not received a response.
According to its website, Ponderosa Aviation has been in business for 50 years and provides air attack services, including monitoring wildland fires and directing fire suppression activities. Ponderosa Aviation also offers maintenance services and air emergency medical transport.
In addition to building four new T-hangers, Safford has agreed to design a new terminal building. Commercial flights through Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines to Phoenix Sky Harbor and back began in January. According to the Safford Airport, the load factor for the service has increased from 25 percent in January to 29 percent in February and 31 percent in March.
The council also approved the city’s FBO fees, including ramp and landing fees. After being admonished by the general aviation community, the city has changed its landing fees to be free for any aircraft up to 4,000 pounds. Aircraft between 4,001 pounds and 12,499 pounds will be assessed a $2 per 1,000-pound landing fee, and aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more will be assessed a $3 per 1,000-pound landing fee. Landing fees are waived for all aircraft purchasing a minimum level of fuel.
