If you were a retired pilot, had your own plane, and loved to fly, where would you go? I've talked to a number of people like this in the U.S. who have shown interest in an idea of mine for developing an air park in Puerto Peñasco.

For those who don't know what this is, let me describe La Cholla Air Park in Tucson. It's a residential subdivision of about 1 square mile. There are 90 homes, and all lots have a minimum size of 7 acres. In the central area there's a 4500-ft. landing strip, which is lighted, so planes can land at night, and a large metal aircraft hangar building with spaces for 15 or 20 light aircraft. There are also covered ramadas under which planes can be parked, and a number of outside spaces. Membership in the association, which allows use of the outside parking and the facilities, is $250 a year. The enclosed hangars rent for $300 a month. Airplane gasoline is available on the grounds, and an attractive clubhouse for the members' use is nearby. From this central area, roads with names like Cessna, Corsair, Tailwind, and Earhart lead to large luxury homes, 16 of them with their own private hangars. The roads also function as taxiways for the planes, and cars must yield to them. So pilots can land on the airstrip and taxi slowly to their own homes. .

Typically pilots, retired Air Force people, and lovers of flight live in the area. Home prices start at $350,000 and go up to over $1,000,000. This air park has some of the most expensive real estate in Tucson because of the air strip and the facilities.

A commercial air park is similar to residential, but there are businesses, usually light industry, nearby instead of homes. I've seen some of these in Phoenix.

What would be some advantages of an air park in Puerto Peñasco--commercial, residential, or a combination? It would provide quick access to the ocean from anywhere in the continental U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Recreational pilots would have a new destination. Land that would otherwise not be used would become profitable. Developers would be able to attract a whole new group of high-income clients. New businesses would have sites in the Free Zone with accessible air transportation.

An ideal location for an air park would be near the junction of Caborca Highway with the new highway--close to the developments of Playa La Jolla, North Beach, and Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco. Of course planes would have to land at the International Airport to clear customs before taking off again and flying over to the air park. But I've heard talk that a new international airport may be built in that general area, so if that happens, maybe one landing and some taxiing will be sufficient.

If you like to fly, are you interested in making Puerto Peñasco your destination? Give me a call at (520) 690-9231.

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