Embry Riddle Training Airport Approved

Voters in Chino Valley, Arizona have narrowly approved construction of a training airport to supplement Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s extensive operations at nearby Prescott Airport. The new facility will feature a 6,000-foot runway that will mainly be used for pattern work by students in ERAU’s flight training programs. The airport will be built on leased land on the Perkins Ranch in a rural area of the community and will eventually include hangars, a restaurant and industrial uses. “We are grateful to the people of Chino Valley for their support of Proposition 410 and the confidence they have placed in this project,” the group yeson410.org said in a statment after the vote. “This is an important step for the Perkins Ranch and the community, and we’re ready to get to work. We appreciate everyone who participated in this election and look forward to working together to make this project a success for Chino Valley.”

The proposition, which was one of several measures on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election, passed by 5.4 percent and that tracks with the discussions leading up to the vote. There was significant opposition to the proposal from people who cited noise, environmental concerns and industrialization of the rural area. Among the opponents was the Garchen Buddhist Institute for which silence is central to their teachings. Supporters noted the projected economic impact of the facility and the relief of pressure on the airport in Prescott where ERAU’s bustling programs are causing congestion.

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