April 8 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
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Meeting Minutes
Airport Commission
Regular Meeting
April 08, 2026, | 5:30 p.m.
Chandler Airport Terminal
2380 S. Stinson Way, Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman McCorkle at 5:43 p.m.
Roll Call
Commission Attendance
Staff Attendance
Chairman Charles McCorkle
Ryan Reeves, Airport Manager
Vice Chairman Robert Ehlbeck
Chris Andres, Airport Planning Program Mngr.
Commissioner Christopher Hawley
Scott Rinkenberger, Operations Manager
Commissioner Thomas Gonzalez
Diana Alonzo, Management Assistant
Commissioner Damian Nichols
Commissioner Cecil Orozco
Commissioner Mark Mount
Absent
Others in Attendance
Tawn Kao, Deputy City Attorney
David de la Torre, Planning & Urban Design Senior Manager
Darsy Smith, City Planner
William Banakos, Tower Manager
Chuck Hainz, Chandler Aviation Owner
Chris Glassmeier, Chandler Air Service Manager
Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked if there were any members of the public that would like to address
the committee on any items not on the agenda.
None.
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Approval of Minutes and Discussion
1. February 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
Move to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026.
Consent Agenda Motion and Vote
It was moved by COMMISSIONER OROZCO and seconded by COMMISSIONER MOUNT to approve
the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2026.
Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Action Agenda
2. COMMISSIONER HAWLEY motioned to move to present an Airport Conflict Evaluation: PLH25-
0037 (ACE) report to the Zoning Administrator and City Council with a finding of "no conflict
with airport uses" for the proposed Arizona Center Development. Motion was seconded by
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK.
Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Discussion
3. Recent Regional Airport Fee Implementations
MR. REEVES spoke on the recent regional airport fee implementations, sharing that he has not
been directed to study landing fees to date, and that he was currently working on a Weekly
Executive Summary regarding local fee implementations to be provided at a future date to
Council.
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK stated that he sees CHD’s traffic going up as well as the national ranking
He also asked if these fees are added, what kind of revenue would the airport have.
MR. REEVES responded that he would be hesitant to use any of these revenue models, as they are
unique to each airport. He also stated there would have to be an extremely thorough study before
revenues could be identified.
COMMISSIONER HAWLEY asked what the motivation behind a Weekly Executive Summary Memo.
MR. REEVES responded that the weekly reports are based on “hot topics”. The airport rarely writes
such summaries. These reports are written so that Council can be informed. MR. REEVES was
asked to draft a WES Memo in case Council asks for one.
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CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE stated that when he saw the Council Meeting in Mesa, several flight
schools made the comment that their flight training costs would increase significantly, essentially
putting them out of business. Mesa City Council Meeting I 3-23-2026
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to make a
comment regarding the topic. No one from the public made a comment.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE also stated that there would be other sources of revenue that can be
considered prior to any landing fees. He asked the commissioners if there were any questions or
comments they wanted to share regarding landing fees.
COMMISSIONER HAWLEY asked if the airport needed to raise money.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE responded that the airport is operated as an enterprise. He asked MR.
REEVES what the FAA has to say about an airport being self-sustaining.
MR. REEVES responded that the FAA states that airports must be as self-sustaining as possible.
FAA Order 5190.6C (Airport Compliance Manual)
COMMISSIONER HAWLEY stated that it is important to see the airport as an asset for jobs and
revenue through economic impact.
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK asked if when the Economic Impact Study connected to the Community
Impact Study for a potential runway extension was conducted, if the fee schedule was compared
to other airports.
MR. REEVES responded, no, not to his knowledge, but would confirm with Mr. Rounds. The study
was conducted by Rounds Consulting Group, Inc.
MR. ANDRES stated that the FAA uses the IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning) economic model,
so that they can compare airports from across different regions. The FAA investigates economic
impact, not enterprise profit and loss statements.
COMMISSIONER NICHOLS stated that he wanted to reiterate that no one from the city or City
Council, no one anywhere has asked the airport to study landing fees or any fees. He also asked
if this was brought before the commission because the commission or airport staff had an
interest.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE responded that he had an interest because of what is going on in Mesa,
AZ with Falcon Field Airport and at other regional airports. He also stated that he wanted this on
the agenda to get everyone thinking and talking about it to have answers when anyone
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approaches them with questions. CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE also asked when the last fee study was
completed.
MR. REEVES stated that the last fee study was completed in 2019, and prior to that it was in 2015.
MR. ANDRES stated that the previous fee study looked at individual fees that needed to be
adjusted.
MR. REEVES stated that along with MR. ANDRES they have started an internal fee study that does
not include landing fees. This is something they intend to review annually.
COMMISSIONER NICHOLS stated that he agrees that looking into a fee study is important to stay
current. He also stated that the reason for his previous comment is because it concerns him that
that other airports are acting on this and would like the commission to be careful when answering
questions, like how much revenue this would bring if we did this and so on. COMMISSIONER
NICHOLS does not want the public to hear that the airport can generate 10M and give the wrong
idea and not understand the negative impact such action can have.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE stated that it was an excellent point and wanted to expand on the pros
and cons.
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK stated that it will double flight training costs. He also asked if this fee is
implemented in Mesa, how the traffic pattern would change and he would like to see how it
changes.
MR. REEVES stated that staff are already monitoring this by the hour.
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK asked if fees are initially calculated by automated systems and if there
is a need to increase the number of staff to accommodate these calculations.
MR. REEVES responded that the current plan is to apply these fees at Falcon Field through ADS-B
flight tracking infrastructure. There is currently an Arizona House Bill 2210 (HB2210) that was
introduced in January 2026. The bill proposes a ban on charging fees to aircraft owners or
operators based on data collected from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B)
systems.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked COMMISSIONER OROZCO how landing fees would affect him.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO responded that any time he flies it costs him money, but he is not a
business. He also stated that until they are forced to speak about this, they should keep an eye on
the situation.
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COMMISSIONER HAWLEY stated that he felt like they were getting into speculative area, and that
the staff is doing a great job monitoring this.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked if the fee structure can be used to reduce traffic.
MR. REEVES responded that per the grant assurances airport sponsors, it is the airport’s job to
make the airfield readily useable, safe, and efficient for the flying public at all times. No one can
limit traffic in any way outside of safety concerns.
Briefing
4. Monthly Operations Report
MR. REEVES presented the Monthly Operations Report for February 2026 and March 2026.
For February 2026, the total number of operations was 23,330. The total number of operations
for February 2025 was 20,084. The IFR itinerant dropped from 416 to 364. The total number of
operations through February 2026 is 255,481. Just ahead of last year’s total number of
operations at 235,060. In the national ranking, CHD is ranked 49th. In the GA count, CHD is
ranked 17th.
For March 2026, the total number of operations was 24,867. The total number of operations for
March 2025 was 21,426. The IFR itinerant dropped from 416 to 385. The total number of
operations through March 2026 is 258,922, higher than last year’s total number of operations at
233,435. In the national ranking, CHD is 45th. In the GA count CHD remains in the17th position.
COMMISSIONER HAWLEY stated that more traffic is good.
MR. REEVES responded that he agreed with him, more traffic is good, especially because the
itinerant IFR traffic count is 385, indicating increased business travel to and from Chandler.
5. Monthly Origins and Destinations Report
MR. REEVES gave the reports for February 2026 and March 2026.
VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK asked MR. REEVES that at what point does the based versus transient
percent become a concern.
MR. REEVES responded it would be a concern when the shift becomes more than approximately
5% permanently or with aggressive swings.
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VICE CHAIRMAN EHLBECK asked if a higher number of transients is a concern.
MR. REEVES responded that it is a concern without direct economic impacts.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO asked if staff are aware of any fuel purchased from transient aircraft.
MR. REEVES responded that it is difficult to monitor. They do receive a monthly report from
Chandler Air Service of the monthly fuel flow numbers.
6. Monthly Construction Report
MR. ANDRES presented the monthly construction report.
Capital Projects in the Design Phase:
West Airport Facilities Upgrade: This is a city funded project at $3.9 million. Revised scope includes
operations garage, parking lot and aircraft observation area. Plan comments are being finalized,
and utility relocations are being considered.
Airport Fuel Tank Relocation: This is a city funded project with $610,000. There is a cost
negotiation with vendors. The budget transfer is under evaluation and evaluating alternative
methods.
Runway End Identifier Light (REIL) Installation Runway 4L-22R (North Runway): This is an FAA
funded project for $110,000. Currently, they are revising drawings for circuit change for 24/7
REILS. The FAA confirmed environmental clearance.
Capital Projects - Construction Phase:
Hangar Area Pavement Rehabilitation: This project has been completed.
Taxiway B Improvements- Phase 1: This project has been completed.
Former K&K Site Remediation: City funding for soil remediation near end of Cooper Road north of
Queen Creek for soil remediation. 5.8-acre restricted use area remaining. There is an evaluation
for a topographic survey.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO asked if the plans for the west facility had been finalized or if they were
still accepting comments.
MR. ANDRES responded that the engineering plan was under review with internal comments.
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COMMISSIONER OROZCO asked if Chandler Air Service/Gate One FBO used branded fuel.
MR. ANDRES responded yes.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO congratulated airport staff for keeping fuel at a competitive price.
MR. REEVES responded that they have a branding agreement that guarantees supply.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked if they need to recommend a contract to Council.
MR. REEVES responded that such a contract would be brought up for the Airport Commission
consideration.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO asked for a reminder on Taxiway B Improvements Phase II.
MR. ANDRES responded that the project would run to the end of 4L. This will make Taxiway B the
single longest stretch of airport pavement. Phase I solved a hot spot and will make it easier for the
Air Traffic Control and pilots.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked how long the taxiway will be, if maybe 6,000 ft.
MR. ANDRES responded that it could be.
COMMISSIONER MOUNT asked what the width would be.
MR. ANDRES responded 75ft.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO stated that the airport diagram still shows Taxiway B as a hotspot.
MR. REEVES stated that he is putting the paperwork together with the air traffic control manager
to remove the hotspot notation.
MR. BANAKOS stated that the FAA wants them to analyze the impact of ground traffic and ensure
that it is doing well, but the removal of the hotspot is as easy as sending an email.
MR. ANDRES stated that there will no longer be any hot spots in Chandler.
7. Monthly Noise Report
MR. RINKENBERGER gave an overview of the monthly noise report for February 2026.
COMMISSIONER OROZCO asked which runways were for #5- & #2-night operations on the map.
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MR. RINKENBERGER responded that they were on 4R.
MR. RINKENBERGER gave an overview of the monthly noise report for March 2026.
COMMISSIONER EHLBECK asked if the resident of Gold Canyon was the same person that
complained 900 times to Falcon Field Airport.
MR. RINKENBERGER responded that he was unsure.
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE asked if people complain about hot air balloons.
MR. REEVES stated that staff received inquiries only asking what the hot air balloons were doing.
Information Items
8. Airport Manager’s Report
MR. REEVES stated that fuel sales are just over 54k gallons for the fiscal year.
The next Community Impact Study Steering Committee meeting will be on Thursday, April 23,
2026.
MR. REEVES shared that himself, MR. ANDRES and MR. RINKENBERGER attended the 2026 AzAA
“Dutch Bertholf” Spring Conference.
MR. REEVES shared that the RFP for Curtiss East is close to entering into a development lease,
while the RFP for Curtiss West should be going out at the end of the month.
MR. REEVES gave an update on the Gate One hangar development.
He also shared that the Heart Gallery Event that hosted foster children from around the state
was a success. The Department of Child Safety (DCS) has requested to make this an annual
event.
Member Comments/Announcements
CHAIRMAN MCCORKLE shared a personal story about his journey into aviation.
Calendar
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The next regular Airport Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 5:30
p.m., in the Chandler Airport Terminal, 2380 S. Stinson Way.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Reeves, Secretary Charles McCorkle, Chairman