Aviation plays a major role in the transportation system that serves the Tucson region. PAG works closely with airport operators, member jurisdictions and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to coordinate and analyze regional aviation needs and responses. Airport operators prepare an airport Master Plan, setting out needs and issues specific to their airport. PAG is responsible for preparing and keeping current the long-range aviation planning document called the Regional Aviation System Plan.
PAG’s regional aviation planning area includes all public use airports in Pima County, plus four additional airports that have an impact on the region’s aviation system. Public use airports include Ajo Municipal, Marana Regional, Ryan Airfield, Sells and Tucson International. La Cholla Airpark is privately owned, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, while not a public airport, is a major consideration in airspace planning in the Tucson area. Pinal Airpark and Benson Municipal Airport are both public airports located outside of Pima County, but in such close proximity that they are included in the PAG region for aviation planning purposes.
In June 2002, PAG completed an update to the PAG Regional Aviation System Plan (RASP). A RASP Project Advisory Task Force provided guidance to the RASP update and included representatives from all of the region’s airports as well as from pilots and aircraft owners associations, federal and state aviation agencies, and local citizens.
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