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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND
3 June 2024
Mr. Christopher P. Toale
Director, Community Initiatives Team
56th Fighter Wing
14185 West Falcon Street
Luke AFB AZ 85309-1629
Mr. Jose A. Macias
Senior Planner
City of El Mirage Development Services
10000 N. El Mirage Road
El Mirage, AZ 85335
Re: ZTA24-05-01; Heliports in Urban Corridor (UC) Zones
Dear Mr. Macias
Thank you for allowing Luke AFB to review the proposed zoning text amendment changes to UC
zoned properties. The revision would allow for heliports, given an approved Conditional Use Permit
(CUP), in the urban corridor zones of the City of El Mirage. While we recognize that the applicant would
still need to go through the 7480-1, Landing Area Proposal, application process with the FAA, Luke AFB
provides these comments for consideration:
a. Luke AFB operates within Class D regulated airspace, which is managed by the Luke AFB air
traffic control tower during hours of operation. Class D airspace is designed to protect aircraft on
arrival and departure and is defined as the airspace extending upward from surface to 4,000 feet
mean sea level (MSL) and within an approximate 5-mile radius of Luke AFB. The FAA requires
that all aircraft obtain ATC approval prior to entering Class D airspace; approval would come
from the Luke AFB control tower during our hours of operation.
b. In addition to the Class D airspace, there is an extended area of protection where FAA Special
Air Traffic Rules (SATR) apply; very similar to those of the Class D airspace. This SATR
airspace boundary extends over most of the Urban Corridor Zones.
c. All locations shown are within the direct path of arrivals and departures of Luke AFB. This
could present a conflict for safe flight and retaining positive air traffic control.
d. The locations proposed range from 0.52 NM – 4.6 NM from end of runway 21L and extended
runway center line and Luke AFB utilizes an Instrument Landing System (ILS) for precision
approaches to runway 21L.
Specific determinations for each location identified in the UC zones cannot be made without
additional information such as what would be provided on a FAA 7480-1 application. It is critical that
Luke AFB is engaged early in the process for any helipad/heliport planning cases for an opportunity to
comment further as additional details are presented. We appreciate the opportunity to do so and value the
long-standing relationship between LAFB and the City of El Mirage.
If there are any questions, please contact Mr. Mark James at (623) 856-9981.
Sincerely
CHRISTOPHER P. TOALE
cc:
Colonel Keagan L. McLeese, Deputy Commander, 56th Fighter Wing
Mr. Paul Ferguson, Attorney-Advisor, 56th Fighter Wing
TOALE.CHRISTOP
HER.P.1039696165
Digitally signed by
TOALE.CHRISTOPHER.P.10396
96165
Date: 2024.06.03 11:25:03 -07'00'