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The Ak-Chin Regional Airport recently announced the completion of electrical upgrades to improve its safety and utility. These improvements include the placement of runway edge lighting, illuminating the airport beacon, and installing an automated weather observation system.
The runway edge lights line the length of the 4,751-foot runway. In addition, the airport beacon is now illuminated at night to provide a wayfinding aid for aircraft. These improvements allow the airport to be open 24 hours a day.
Tim Costello
The automated weather observing system (AWOS) is a system of weather instruments used by airports throughout the country to transmit weather information to pilots and the flying community. The tool provides data on wind, altimeter, temperature, cloud height, precipitation and other factors about the weather. Certified and commissioned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the system usually reports in real time.
Interestingly, the AWOS system does not provide information on dust levels. If there is a dust storm in the area, pilots receive information about visibility. If the visibility is less than the FAA “visual” minimum of 3 miles, pilots will know that it’s not safe to land at the airport.
The airport is owned and operated by the Ak-Chin Indian Community and offers a gateway to points throughout central and southern Arizona. The Ak-Chin Regional Airport is home to 16 general aviation aircraft. Most airport traffic comes from aviation training and visiting aircraft. Also, pilots will often land to refuel due to the airport’s lower fuel prices.
These and other upgrades are part of a 20-year master plan to provide continuous improvement to the Ak-Chin Regional Airport. “We have completed vital aviation infrastructure for our business,” said Tim Costello, manager of the Ak-Chin Regional Airport. “The series of upgrades as laid-out in our master plan are steadily moving forward. Each completed project will help create a more welcoming environment for aviation.”
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Carolyn SostromCarolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.
