US Flight Training Group Thrust Flight Raises Alarm Over Proposed Landing Fees at One of Its Bases

Arizona, USA – Thrust Flight, a prominent U.S. flight training group, has raised concerns over a proposed new fee structure at Falcon Field (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, which includes a significant $30 per-landing fee for general aviation aircraft—impacting flight schools and based training aircraft. The proposal is viewed as a potential inflection point for U.S. flight training economics, especially in high-density pilot training regions like Phoenix.

• Mesa city officials are advancing a proposal that would introduce:A $30 per-landing fee for all GA aircraft, including locally based flight training aircraft.Higher fuel flowage charges.Increased costs for hangars and tiedown rentals.
• A $30 per-landing fee for all GA aircraft, including locally based flight training aircraft.
• Higher fuel flowage charges.
• Increased costs for hangars and tiedown rentals.
• This marks a rare instance of a general aviation airport imposing per-landing fees on its own based training fleets, a move that could shift training dynamics nationwide.
• Thrust Flight CEO Patrick Arnzen cautioned that the proposal could force schools to either raise tuition, cut back on operations, or consider relocation—each of which carries negative consequences for students and the airport’s long-term sustainability.
• The timeline for review includes:March 5: Mesa Audit and Finance Committee discussionMarch 12: City Council study sessionMarch 23: Final City Council vote
• March 5: Mesa Audit and Finance Committee discussion
• March 12: City Council study session
• March 23: Final City Council vote
• Concerns have also been raised about limited transparency, as these dates have not been clearly posted on official city agenda pages. Instead, flight schools and residents are learning of developments through community Facebook groups and direct outreach.
• Arizona, and specifically the Phoenix area, is one of the largest and most active pilot training regions in the U.S., hosting numerous domestic and international flight training organizations. The outcome of this proposal may set a precedent for how other metropolitan GA airports address cost recovery and noise concerns from high-volume training operations.

Statements

• “A $30 per-landing fee at Falcon Field isn’t a small administrative change for a flight school. Flight training is built around repeated takeoffs and landings so this kind of fee stacks up quickly and fundamentally changes the cost of training. Schools either have to raise costs to students, reduce activity or consider relocating. None of those outcomes are good for students or for Falcon Field’s long-term health,”said Patrick Arnzen, CEO of Thrust Flight.

Source: Thrust Flight Photo Credit: Thrust Flight