City staff advance plan to shift Prescott Regional’s primary runway to reduce land buys, increase safety and lessen noise

Prescott — City and airport consultants told the City Council on Sept. 23 that shifting the primary runway at Prescott Regional Airport (Ernest A. Love Field) would improve safety, reduce the need for extensive land acquisitions and reduce noise exposure for nearby neighborhoods.

Charlie McDermott, aviation planning manager for Dibble Engineering, described a runway “shift” as moving usable pavement from one runway end to the other, not changing the runway’s alignment. He said the shift would allow the runway protection zone to sit entirely on airport property and would reduce obstructions affecting the one‑engine‑inoperative (OEI) departure surface.

McDermott summarized results of public outreach conducted in June (two open houses with 61 and 40 attendees and 27 written comment cards) and told council the shift would also generate cost savings when compared with the prior strategy of purchasing multiple parcels to protect approach/departure surfaces. Staff estimated the remaining seven of eight previously considered parcels on the south side would not be needed if the shift proceeds, saving an estimated $14,000,000 in acquisition costs; staff presented a back‑of‑envelope net savings estimate in the range of about $8,000,000 when offsetting West‑side acquisitions.

Why it matters: Consultants said the shift improves safety margins for small‑aircraft takeoffs and landings, will move some aircraft noise away from the Deepwell Ranch area…