Exploring Ak-Chin Regional Airport Part 1

While there have been many renovations to the Ak-Chin Regional Airport since 2006, one renovation was completed this year, 2015 and a few more are actually in the process.

According to Tim Costello, Airport Manager, three (3) miles of fencing around the airport was installed and wrapped up last month. The fencing will secure the airport from unwanted conflicts. The runway must always be clear of objects for aircraft to land or take-off safely. In the past, there have been conflicts such as dirt bikes and animals on the airport, complicating the safe movement of aircraft.

The installation of runway lights is one of the projects in process. The runway lights will allow night use of the airport and extend the use of the airport beyond daylight hours. The fall and winter months provide exceptional weather for flying, as it’s much cooler and less turbulent which is the best highlight for Arizona flyers. The new lighting will allow flyers to extend a beautiful day of flying into the night time. Before, aircraft arriving at Ak-Chin Regional in the dark would have to divert to another airport with lights and shuttle back to Ak-Chin Regional Airport the following day.

The other part of this project is the installation of high-tech weather instrumentation that is a Federal Aviation Administration certified weather station. The new weather station provides data such as wind speed, barometric pressure, temperature, sky condition, to name a few. The weather station broadcasts up to second weather information directly to the pilots by radio. It allows the pilot to get accurate weather data on what is currently happening at the airport.

Lastly, but not least, crack sealing of the runway will be taking place shortly. Here in Arizona, cracking of the runway pavement is accelerated due to the intensely hot weather, another good safety precaution for flyers.

The continued and planned growth of the airport is what’s very exciting for Mr. Costello. After completing a 20-Year Master Plan, he stated “the plan depicts the growth and use of the airport that will include the use of slightly larger planes and small business jets.” As of now and in the near future, the airport is being utilized as a general aviation airport.

Currently, the airport facility has outside aircraft storage, but a big part of the 20-Year Master Plan is to add more hangars in hopes of creating a hugely desirable market of their own.

We invite you to read Part II on “Exploring the Ak-Chin Regional Airport,” next month. More great information is coming to you then.   In the meantime, visit http://akchinairport.com/ to get more information directly.

Last Updated on 03/11/2025 by Patrick OD O’Donnell

About the Author:

Patrick OD O'Donnell

Biography:

The moment a bull's gate swings open—that's when Patrick "OD" O'Donnell feels most alive. From his early days riding bareback through Arizona pastures to revolutionizing the bull riding industry as President of Bull Riders Only, OD has lived the Western lifestyle he now champions as Founder of Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Growing up in Casa Grande's sunbaked agricultural heartland, he didn't just learn about horses and ranching, he lived it daily, developing the instincts and grit that would later attract 4 million followers to CLN's authentic voice.

After his baseball days at the University of Arizona, OD saw something others missed: bull riding wasn't just a sport, but was compelling entertainment waiting for the right vision. Between 1990-1997, his leadership transformed local rodeo competitions into sold-out arena events that changed Western sports forever. Today, that same pioneering spirit drives CLN's coverage of everything from championship rodeos to the quiet heroism of ranch life. When he's not building the digital home for cowboy culture, you'll find OD supporting Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, leading CLN’s 25-year Christmas Toy Drive for Arizona kids, or sharing his love of horsemanship with special needs riders through Arizona's own Horses Help. Living proof that authentic Western values still have the power to transform lives.

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