Seen any larger-than-usual civilian jets flying above Flagstaff recently, maybe even one branded with the state flag? Pulliam Airport welcomes a handful of private jets per week, and small commercial jets are now a common sight above its environs, ever since US Airways Express/American Airlines and operator SkyWest Airlines started consistently using Canadair Regional Jets for the flights to and from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport in 2012. But what about those occasional medium-haul jets – Airbus A320 variants, Boeing 737s and 757s, even McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing MD-80s – operating out of Pulliam Airport? These are important indications of the value of the airport’s 2007 runway extension, and among a growing list of signs bearing witness to the airport’s steadily growing importance to the regional economy, even as local officials work hard to bring back a second airline to Pulliam.
As the most publicly visible and potentially impactful effort to make best use of the airport as a regional business hub, bringing a second airline back to Flagstaff is of an importance that cannot be understated. “The business market needs more direct routes east and west bound,” said airport director Barney Helmick. “We continue to meet with multiple air carriers and sell them on our great community. For air service to help the local economy, it has to generate more traffic.” Meanwhile, the gears of business are also churning south of the commercial terminal, down runway 3/21’s taxiway.
The 1,800-foot lengthening may not seem like much, but in the thin air at 7,000 feet, going from just under 7,000 feet to 8,800 feet is very useful. Most of the bigger jets mentioned earlier could safely operate from Pulliam when the runway was shorter, but they were seriously constrained by their takeoff weight. At best, this meant that the NAU football team, staff, and perhaps some of the equipment could fly a jet charter to another far-flung Big Sky Conference locale, but not without a refueling stop in Las Vegas or elsewhere, according to Matt Howdeshell, NAU’s director of football operations. Now, the extended Pulliam runway is a key component to the Lumberjacks’ 9-3 road record against Football Championship Subdivision teams in the past two years. “For us, it is a competitive advantage to fly directly to and from remote spots like Missoula or San Luis Obispo,” said Howdeshell. “For our players, without the extra wear and tear, it’s great getting right back into Flagstaff with extra time to rest and at reasonable time. The costs since 2011 have been about even but if you can be even and have this ease of travel, it’s a no-brainer!” He adds that working with US Airways/American keeps the money in state (to a degree) and, on occasion, means they get to fly one of the Arizona-themed Airbuses. For NAU departures, fixed-base operator Wiseman Aviation (WA) adorns the ramp area with team flags and gear to show their support, a very motivating touch for the team, says Howdeshell, who adds that opponents are catching on, now often working with WA to gain the same competitive edge by flying directly into Pulliam.
A Northern Arizona fixture since 1929, WA is there to assist in all commercial, civilian and military operations at Pulliam. Even as the general aviation market took a nosedive during the 2008 recession, WA worked to offer full service at Pulliam for medium-haul jet flights, be they planned or unplanned. “For example, we have a set of airstairs and deicer that will service up to a 757,” said Orville Wiseman, WA’s president. “It may sound trivial, but we are the only one with this capability in this part of the state.”
Aside from charters by the NAU football and their opponents, Air Force Two (in the guise of a military 757 variant called the C32) delivered Vice President Joe Biden to Senator John McCain’s Sedona conference in April 2013. Since being designated as an alternate airport for Phoenix-bound flights, an Allegiant Airlines MD-80 going from Billings, Mont., to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport made an emergency landing at Pulliam in July 2010. Also, a Southwest Airlines 737 from Indianapolis diverted to Flagstaff because of storms in October 2010, purchasing 11,000 pounds of fuel from WA before leaving for Phoenix. “Companies such as Southwest call us regularly, checking on ramp space and fuel in the event that they have to divert due to weather issues at their intended destination, as well as if there is an in-flight emergency,” added Wiseman.
A welcome sight for most civilian airports that are equipped to assist (and frequent Pulliam visitors for decades), military aircraft continue to be relatively small but important to the bottom line. “We are a popular destination for many military operations due to our altitude and location,” said Helmick. “Military pilots need to become proficient in many different conditions, one of which is landing and taking off at higher altitudes. Our location is often ideal for aircraft transported to and from the West Coast. They need to stop for rest, fuel and food and we are a place that they love to visit.” WA is a contract fuel provider for the Department of Defense and sees military activity, especially rotor, on nearly a daily basis, says Wiseman, noting that every military aircraft counts as two civilian aircraft in terms of airport operations (a key point when it comes to Pulliam receiving federal funds). “While at a discounted margin, the military [fuel] sales provide a baseline of activity for us that are much appreciated,” said Wiseman.
Another key player down the taxiway is Guardian Air, the medical transport arm of Northern Arizona Healthcare. Operating six helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft, Guardian uses Pulliam as its hub of operations and that hub is busy, according to director Wade Patten. “We are a growing company and we’ve added a base location every year,” he said. Though not expanding in Flagstaff per se, Guardian is looking to leave its current Piper Lane offices for a more suitable and larger location at Pulliam. And although Guardian handles its own maintenance and purchases gas wholesale from a Phoenix distributor, the company has a good relationship with WA, even lending them a bit of fuel in a bind, says Patten.
It is with that same spirit of teamwork that Pulliam’s capabilities and importance to the region continue to expand. Though it has been three years since Horizon Airlines and its Los Angeles-bound turboprop flights took off for good, efforts are in full swing to attract another commercial operator. “The addition of another airline with an additional destination would help the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport realize its growth potential and put a lot back into the local economy,” said Wiseman. “We have already experienced this with Horizon a few years back, particularly the first year when they operated with a schedule that was appealing to travelers. The airside facilities at Pulliam from the passenger terminal to the runway are capable of handling much more activity than they are currently experiencing with just one air carrier.” Helmick notes that the US Airways-American Airlines merger will bring more access to outside markets, with almost 100 new destinations, but “that alone is not near enough.”
In clear but subtle ways and partly by virtue of a longer runway, Pulliam Airport is solidifying its position as the aviation hub of Northern Arizon,a so don’t be surprised if you see a few more “big birds” in our airspace. FBN
By Tom Vitron
Flagstaff Business News