Falcon Field (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, may soon be recognized as one of the safest airports in the U.S. as it is among the first to obtain new technology that will allow air traffic control to see aircraft and vehicle movement on the ground through a control tower monitoring system.
The airport, located in Class D airspace, will be utilizing Saab’s Aerobahn Runway and Surface Safety service to detect and monitor ground traffic. Instead of having to shift focus from computer monitors to outside, air traffic controllers (ATCs) will have the information presented on screen in real time.
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“Saab’s Aerobahn Runway and Surface Safety service will give air traffic controllers advanced insight into airfield movement and help reduce risks on the ground,” said Sarah Schoof, vice president of surveillance systems at Saab, in a news release. “Falcon Field Airport’s support during implementation underscores its dedication to safer and more efficient operations.”
The technology uses four sensors, and the installation began in November. The technology is part of the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), a nationwide effort to strengthen runway safety. The program was created in 2023 in response to the 2023 FAA Safety Call to Action.
“Safety is our highest priority,” said Corinne Nystrom, Falcon Field Airport director. “Investments like these help ensure our airport continues to meet the highest standards for pilots, tenants, and the community we serve.”
The SAI program was created to increase safety measures at airports without Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE).
“The new system provides traffic controllers with greater real-time insight into airfield activity,” said Mark Gibbs, KFFZ’s airport projects and operations manager. “It’s an important addition that strengthens safety and efficiency.”
Mesa city officials note the FAA fully funded the project.
About Falcon Field
The airport was opened in September 1941 as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Corps and British Royal Air Force pilots. The pilots flew Boeing PT-17 biplanes in the dry open spaces Arizona offered.
After the war, the U.S. deeded the property to the city of Mesa as a municipal airport. It now sits on 784 acres and has two parallel runways—4R/22L measuring 5,100 feet by 100 feet, and 4L/22R at 3,799 feet by 75 feet.
Falcon Field is also located under the shelf of the Phoenix Class Bravo airspace.
KFFZ is a general aviation facility that still supports a robust training environment along with a mix of military, public safety, corporate, and recreational flying.
