Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Arizona - Northwest Phoenix area
© 2002, © 2008 by Paul Freeman. Revised 6/15/08.
(Original) Air Haven Airport (revised 5/16/07) - Beardsley Aux AAF #2 (revised 8/5/07) - Fram Field (revised 8/3/03)
Isbell Construction Co. / Air Haven / (Original) Glendale Municipal (revised 5/16/07) - Luke AF Aux #3 (revised 6/3/07)
Luke Aux AAF #4 (revised 7/7/05) - Thunderbird Field (revised 9/13/06) - Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield A-1 (added 6/15/08)
Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield A-2 (added 6/15/08) - Thunderbird #1 Aux AAF A-3 / Paradise Airport (revised 6/15/08)
Sun City Airfield - Turf Paradise Airfield (revised 5/16/07) - Wittman Aux AAF #1 (revised 7/29/07)
____________________________________________________
(Original) Air Haven Airport, Alhambra, AZ
33.49 North / 112.12 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
Air Haven Airport, as depicted on the March 1946 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
This former general aviation airport was evidently established at some point between 1945-46,
as it was not depicted on the 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The earliest reference to Air Haven Airport which has been located
was on the Marhc 1946 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It depicted Air Haven as a commercial/municipal field.
The 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell)
depicted Air Haven has having two 1,700' runways (oriented northeast/southwest & northwest/southeast),
each with a parallel taxiway.
A 1949 aerial view (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted Air Haven Airport as having 2 unpaved runways.
The 1952 USGS topo map depicted Airhaven Airport as having a single northeast/southwest runway.
The Aerodromes table on the reverse side of the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss),
described Air Haven as having a single 3,000' bare runway.
A 1958 aerial view (courtesy of John Arthur) showed that Air Haven's northwest/southeast runway
had been abandoned at some point between 1949-58,
and it depicted 2 buildings (hangars) on the west side of the property.
The 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Air Haven as having a single 3,200' paved Runway 5/23,
with a parallel taxiway on the northwest side leading to a ramp at the west side of the field with a few small buildings.
Air Haven apparently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1960-62,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the March 1962 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
As can be seen in the circa 2001 aerial photo,
the site has been extensively redeveloped,
and not a trace appears to remain of the former airfield.
The site of Air Haven Airport is located southeast of the intersection
of West Grand Avenue & West Indian Schhol Avenue, just north of the Grand Canal.
The name Air Haven was later used by a separate airfield in Peoria, 8 miles northwest.
____________________________________________________
Isbell Construction Company Airfield / Air Haven Airport /
(Original) Glendale Municipal Airport (P37), Peoria, AZ
33.57 North / 112.23 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
The airfield at this location evidently started as a private field.
It was not yet depicted at all on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The earliest depiction of this airfield which has been located
was a 1958 aerial photo (courtesy of John Arthur).
It depicted the field as having a single north/south runway,
with a hangar & at least one other smaller building on the southeast side of the runway.
The 1966 AOPA Airport Directory (according to David Brooks)
described the “Isbell Construction Company” airfield at this location in Glendale
as a private field, operated by Arizona Helicopters, Inc.
The field was said to consist of a single 2,400’ bituminous Runway 17/35.
The field was said to have tie-downs for emergency use only,
and the remarks said, ““This is an agricultural spraying operation. Use at own risk.”
The Isbell airfield was apparently not depicted on aeronautical charts
(which may be done at the owner's request, for a private airfield),
as it was not depicted at all on the January 1966 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy)
or the January 1968 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
The 1968 AOPA Airport Directory (according to David Brooks)
described the “Isbell Construction Company” airfield in the same manner.
At some point in 1968, the field was evidently renamed “Air Haven”, and became a public-use airfield,
as that is how it was depicted on the July 1968 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It thus took on the name used by the previous Air Haven airfield to the southeast which had operated from the 1940s-60s.
This new Air Haven Airport was depicted as having a single 2,400' paved runway,
matching the configuration of the “Isbell Construction Company” airfield.
A 1970 aerial photo (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted the field in much the same configuration as the 1958 aerial photo.
The 1970 AOPA Airport Directory (according to David Brooks)
described “Air Haven” as having a single 2,600’ blacktop Runway 17/35.
The field was said to have tie-downs.
The operators were listed as Air Haven Airport Service (a Cessna dealer) & Precision Helicopters (a Hughes dealer).
The 1972 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks) depicted “Glendale - Air Haven”
as having a single 2,400' paved runway.
The 1973 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks) depicted the field simply as “Glendale”.
The 1977 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Glendale Municipal Airport
as having a single 2,400' paved Runway 17/35 with a parallel taxiway on the east side,
leading to a ramp on the southeast corner of the field with a few small buildings.
A 1982 aerial photo (courtesy of John Arthur) showed that the aircraft parking ramp
had increased to over double the area depicted in the 1970 photo.
Over 100 aircraft were visible parked on the field.
The 1982 USGS topo map depicted Glendale Municipal Airport as having a single north/south paved runway.
The 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury)
described Glendale Municipal Airport as having a single 2,400' asphalt Runway 17/35.
The operators were listed as Royal Helicopter & Marketing,
Flight Tech, Arizona Airplanes, Blue Baron Inc., and Alexander Aircraft Service.
A 1983 aerial view looking west at the original Glendale Airport by Stephen Mahaley.
Stephen Mahaley flew Cessnas at the original Glendale Airport in the early 1980's.
He recalls "the runway was 2,600' with the threshold displaced a couple of hundred feet at each end
due to the roads at each end of the end of the runway."
The last chart depiction which has been located of the original Glendale Airport
was on the 1985 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
Apparently, at some point between 1985-87,
this field was replaced by a brand-new (and larger) Glendale Municipal Airport,
located 7 miles to the southwest.
The original airport was apparently replaced due to its geographic constraints
which prevented future lengthening of the runway.
Only the new Glendale Airport was depicted on the 1987 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to David Brooks).
The 1988 USGS topo depicted the original airfield as having a single 2,500' runway, oriented north/south.
The runway ran right up to Grand Avenue at its northern end, and Olive Avenue at the south.
By 1998, aeronautical charts no longer depicted the old Glendale Airport (even as an abandoned airfield).
As can be seen in this circa 2001 aerial photo, the runway still remains in very good condition,
along with what look to be some original airport hangars, east of the south end of the runway.
The large paved former ramp area also exists, adjacent to the east side of the runway.
A 2005 photo by Rick Tejera looking north along the remains of Runway 35.
The former runway numbers, and the closed-runway “X” symbol were still clearly recognizable.
Rick Tejera reported in 2005, “I recently visited Glendale, Airhaven
and found it to be remarkably intact for not having been used for 14 years.
The runway & taxiway markings are still visible & the remnants of the segmented circle are still there,
along with the helipads (from the original helicopter operation at this field I presume).
The area beyond the taxiway is marked as private property
so I did not venture in to look for old tie-downs or other airport features.”
A 2005 photo by Rick Tejera, “looking east from the main taxiway at one of 4 helipads in a square
(visible in the aerial photo as small white squares).
This one was the only one not covered in old tires.
The area now seems to be occupied by recycling & salvage businesses.”
A 2005 photo by Rick Tejera. “The round berm of dirt is the remains of the segmented circle, located just north of the helipads.
There are no remnants of the pattern indicators
and the area between the segmented circle & helipads is covered with old tires piles about 15' high.”
A circa 2006 aerial view looking north at the south end of the original Glendale Municipal Airport,
showing the 3 remaining former hangars.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking south at the Runway 17 markings
which are still barely visible at the site of the original Glendale Municipal Airport.
The site of the original Glendale Municipal Airport is located
north of the intersection of West Olive Avenue & North 79th Avenue.
____________________________________________________
Thunderbird Field, Glendale, AZ
33.62 North / 112.18 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
Thunderbird Field, as depicted on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Thunderbird Field was established in 1940 as a contract flying school, operated by Southwest Airways.
They were contracted to train American, Canadian, British & Chinese military pilots.
Stearman biplane trainers were operated at Thunderbird.
Thunderbird Field was also known as Thunderbird #1,
due to the presence of Thunderbird #2 (which later became Scottsdale Airport).
The earliest depiction of the field which has been located
was on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted "Thunderbird" as a commercial airfield,
but with the note “Restricted to Army training.”
The February 1943 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted "Thunderbird" as a military airfield.
A WW2-era view of the tower at Thunderbird Field.
An undated photo of Stearman biplane trainers at Thunderbird Field.
The installation consisted of a number of hangars, barracks, and other buildings
which were situation on the southeast corner of West Greenway Road & North 59th Avenue.
Adjacent to the buildings to the southeast was a 2,800' square ramp area,
and across West Greenway Road to the north was the airfield itself, with three 3,500' runways.
A 1944 USAAF map of Thunderbird Field (center of map) & its satellite airfields (courtesy of John Voss).
During WW2, Thunderbird Field had several auxiliary airfields,
including Thunderbird #1 Aux A-1, Thunderbird #1 Aux A-2, Thunderbird #1 Aux A-3,
and Southwest Airways #4 (located 7 miles southeast, of which no recognizable airfield remains).
According to the book "Best Place in the Country" by Steve Hoza & Mike Hoza,
Thunderbird Field closed on October 16, 1944.
However, "Thunderbird #1" was depicted as a commercial airfield
on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Following the end of WW2, Thunderbird Field was declared surplus by the War Assets Administration in 1946.
That same year, Thunderbird was purchased for $1 from the federal government by Lt. General Barton Yount,
the commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Training Command.
He established the American Institute for Foreign Trade,
and classes reportedly began on the site within a few months.
However, the airfield at Thunderbird may have continued in operation alongside the new school for some time,
as Thunderbird Field continued to be depicted on aeronautical charts for several more years.
The layout of Thunderbird #1, as depicted on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell),
with the large ramp area on the south side, and 3 runways to the north.
The earliest aerial photo which has been located of Thunderbird Field was a 1949 aerial photo (courtesy of John Arthur).
It depicted the hangars & aircraft parking ramp on the south side of the field.
However, the former location of the 3 runways (on the north side of the road)
did not bear any recognizable traces of runways.
"Thunderbird #1" was still depicted on the September 1953 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The Aerodromes table on the chart described the field as being "Attended 24 hours",
and it was said to consist of a single 2,580' hard surface runway.
Thunderbird Field was apparently closed (permanently) at some point within the next year,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the September 1954 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
A 1958 aerial view of Thunderbird Field (courtesy of John Arthur)
did not show any significant difference compared to the 1949 aerial photo -
the hangars & former ramp area remained intact, without any redevelopment.
A circa 2001 aerial photo of the site of Thunderbird.
Note the 2 large white arch-roof hangars, one at the top-center & the other at the center-left.
A recent aerial view looking southeast at the former airfield buildings,
which are now reused as the Thunderbird Graduate School.
The original Thunderbird Field Control Tower Building, in 2001.
Now located on the campus of the Thunderbird Graduate School,
the former tower building currently houses student government offices, a student lounge, and the Tower Cafe.
Today, the former airfield is still the location of the school,
known currently as Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management.
The campus still contains many original airfield buildings,
including the airfield control tower, barracks & 2 large airplane hangars.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking north at the northeast former hangar,
one of 2 which remains standing.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking west at Thunderbird's former control tower building.
Thunderbird is located southeast of the intersection of West Greenway Road & North 59th Avenue.
____________________________________________________
Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield A-1, Sun City, AZ
33.64 North / 112.1 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
A 1943 aerial view looking north at Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #1,
from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
This airfield was originally one of at least 4 satellite airfields used during WW2 by the cadets from Thunderbird Field.
It was evidently constructed at some point between 1941-43,
as it was not depicted at all on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction which has been located of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #1
was a 1943 aerial view from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The aerial view depicted the airfield as consisting of an unpaved square landing area.
Thunderbird Field itself was operational from 1940 through at least 1944.
The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #1
was on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
It depicted a square outline, labeled “AF Aux Landing Area”.
Thunderbird #1 Aux A-1 was presumably abandoned at some point after 1948,
as it was no longer depicted on subsequent aeronautical charts.
A circa 2006 aerial view shows that the site of the airfield was redeveloped with housing,
and not a trace of the airfield appears to remain.
Note: Another airfield, for the Turf Paradise Racetrack, was later built on the opposite (south) side of West Bell Road.
The site of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #1 is located northeast of the intersection of West Bell Road & North 19th Avenue.
____________________________________________________
Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield A-2, Sun City, AZ
33.65 North / 112.24 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
A 1943 aerial view looking north at Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #2,
from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
This airfield was originally one of at least 4 satellite airfields used during WW2 by the cadets from Thunderbird Field.
It was evidently constructed at some point between 1941-43,
as it was not depicted at all on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction which has been located of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #2
was a 1943 aerial view from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The aerial view depicted the airfield as consisting of an unpaved square landing area.
Thunderbird Field itself was operational from 1940 through at least 1944.
Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #2 was evidently never reused as an airfield after WW2,
as it was not depicted on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell)
nor on subsequent aeronautical charts.
A circa 2006 aerial view shows that the site of the airfield was redeveloped with housing & the Westbrook Villa Vistas golf course,
and not a trace of the airfield appears to remain.
The site of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #2 is located northwest of the intersection of West Union Hills Drive & North 83rd Avenue.
____________________________________________________
Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield A-3 / Paradise Airport, Sunnyslope, AZ
33.58 North / 112.1 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
A 1943 aerial view looking north at Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #3,
from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
This airfield was originally one of at least 4 satellite airfields used during WW2 by the cadets from Thunderbird Field.
It was evidently constructed at some point between 1941-43,
as it was not depicted at all on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction which has been located of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #3
was a 1943 aerial view from the 1945 Army Air Forces Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The aerial view depicted the airfield as consisting of an unpaved square landing area,
with what may have been some buildings on the east side of the field.
Thunderbird Field itself was operational from 1940 through at least 1944.
At some point between 1943-48 the site of Thunderbird #1 Auxiliary Airfield #3
was evidently reused as a civil field, known as Paradise Airport.
The earliest depiction which has been located of Paradise Airport
was on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
It did not depict any runway configuration.
The Aerodrome table on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss).
described Paradise Airport as having a total of 4 runways, with the longest being 3,200'.
Paradise Airport was evidently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1956-66,
as it was not depicted at all on the 1966 Phoenix Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
In this circa 2001 aerial photo the property has been extensively redeveloped,
and not a trace appeared to remain of the former airfield.
The site of the former airfield is located at the intersection of West Peoria Avenue & North 19th Avenue.
It is just south of Shaw Butte, and north of the Arizona Canal.
A later airfield, Turf Paradise Airfield, was located 4 miles to the north of Paradise Airport.
____________________________________________________
Sun City Airfield, Sun City, AZ
33.74 North / 112.26 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
USGS topo map 1981.
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field may have been established during WW2 as a satellite airfield
used to support flight training operations at nearby Thunderbird Field.
The date of this airfield's construction has not been determined, nor any details of its use.
It is not known if the field was every reused for military or civil flying after the war,
but it appears unlikely.
The earliest depiction of this field which has been located was on the 1981 USGS topo map.
It labeled the "Landing Strip" as consisting of a single 2,800' runway,
running parallel along the east side of North Lake Pleasant Road.
In this circa 2001 aerial photo the outline of the runway was still barely perceptible on the desert floor, if you know where to look.
It appeared as if the runway was never paved, but was just a graded dirt surface.
The airfield is located northeast of the intersection of North Lake Pleasant Road & West Pinnacle Vista Road.
____________________________________________________
Turf Paradise Airfield, Phoenix, AZ
33.63 North / 112.09 West (North of Downtown Phoenix, AZ)
Turf Paradise Airfield, as depicted on the January 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
This former private airfield was located on the property
of the Turf Paradise horse racetrack, which was built in 1954.
The precise date of construction of the airfield is unknown.
It was apparently built at some point between 1958-59,
as it was not yet depicted on the March 1958 Phoenix Sectional chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
However, a 1958 aerial view of Turf Paradise (courtesy of John Arthur)
appears to show a single unpaved southwest/northeast runway
(or at least the beginnings of a cleared runway) on the southeast side of the racetrack.
The earliest dated reference which has been located of the usage of the Turf Paradise Airfield is from Jack Young, who recalled,
"Back in 1959 while getting qualified in taildraggers I used to fly an Aeronca Champ in & out of Turf Paradise.
I never saw another airplane there while I was using it."
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction of the Turf Paradise Airfield which has been located
was on the January 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted the field as having a 3,300' unpaved runway.
The 1966 Phoenix Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Voss)
depicted Turf Paradise as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
A 1970 aerial view of Turf Paradise (courtesy of John Arthur)
depicted the single southwest/northeast runway on the southeast side of the racetrack,
along with a number a small general aviation aircraft parked at the southwest end of the field.
The last aeronautical chart depiction of the Turf Paradise Airfield which has been located
was on the July 1977 CG-19 World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Turf Paradise as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
The Turf Paradise Airfield closed at an unknown date after 1977.
A 1978 aerial view of Turf Paradise, looking east, by Chris Kennedy.
The runway was still visible just to the right of the large racetrack,
but it is not known if the airfield was still open by that point.
The 1982 USGS topo map depicted the airfield as having a single 3,000' runway,
which ran parallel to the southeast side of the racetrack.
It was labeled simply "Landing Field".
The field was depicted in the same manner on the 1988 USGS topo map.
In this circa 2001 aerial photo not a trace of the airfield was still discernible.
The Turf Paradise Race Course is located southeast of the intersection of Bell Road & North 19th Avenue.
An earlier airfield, Paradise Airport, was located 4 miles to the south of Turf Paradise Airfield.
____________________________________________________
33.53 North / 112.28 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
Fram Field, as depicted on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
According to Donalyn Fram Easterday, his grandfather Ray Fram
"known as Pops to us, was a special person.
Ray fell in love with flying as a doughboy in France fighting in the trenches.
So after the War [WW1] he returned, married & started learning to fly.
His instructor was Bill Landon & he learned in an Eagle Rock, American Eagle, old engine OX5, water cooled.
He really liked his instructor.
His instructor did not carry a club as some did in those days.
The instructor, Bill, was in the front seat & a student in the back.
The student froze holding the stick back keeping the plane in a spin.
If he had had a bat, he could have turned & knocked the student out. So those 2 spun in."
"Ray went to South Central Airport, [where] Goldtrap & Lee had a flying service.
They had 3 Monopreps (2-place) & one Monocoup (faster than the Monoprep).
He flew with them & bought one NC111K built in 1928.
It had the name painted on it, 'The Spirit of the Depression'.
The inspector did not like it & said paint it out, so he did."
"It was a fabric plane, so friends came & moved the chicken pens together to shade the plane.
With Ray's $600 bonus from the War, he hired a Mexican contractor.
Times were tough; labor was 15 cents / hour.
Adobe bricks were $25 / 1,000.
Part went to make their house & part of the brick made the hangar.
Ray became a popular instructor pilot on weekends as he had to farm during the week.
Dad said Fram Field was busier on weekends than Sky Habor was."
"Ray's daughter Kay got her pilot's license at 16
and son, my Dad, would fly to football practice at Peoria
as he had to get the chores done & they only owned a milk truck."
Ray also bought a Portierfield Zepher, a 3570 Portierfield #16498, and a 384H Fairchild KR-34.
The earliest depiction of Fram Field which has been located
is on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Donalyn Fram Easterday said "The government closed the airport during WWII
and locked the planes in the hangar.”
In spite of reports that Fram Field was closed during WW2,
it was still depicted on the February 1943 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Donalyn Fram Easterday recalled, “After the war [WW2] Ray resumed instructing.”
A directory of AZ Airports in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
described Fram Field as having a 2,100' runway.
In the 1962 AOPA Airport Directory, the operator of Fram Field was listed as M. B. Shears.
Donalyn Fram Easterday said "The man you have listed as running the airport either sold or gave away the planes.
None of the family was living in the Phoenix area at that time to keep tabs on what was happening."
Michael Grantland recalled, "My grandfather, Richard Comfort,
lived on & operated this air field from the mid 1960s through the 1980s until it was closed down.
My Grandparents lived there for over 30 years while it was Fram Field Aviation.
My Grandfather said he leased the property from Mrs. Fram."
The June 1972 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks)
depicted Fram as a public-use airfield, having a 2,200' unpaved runway.
The December 1976 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Fram Field as having a 2,200' unpaved runway.
In the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury),
Fram Field was described as having a single 2,160' dirt Runway 8/26,
and the operator was listed as Fram Field Aviation.
Apparently, the status of field had become more restrictive,
as the Notes said, "Private. Use at own risk. Field closed to all students. W end of field may be flooded."
The 1982 USGS topo map depicted the airfield as having a single 2,600' runway, oriented east/west.
According to Michael Grantland (grandson of Fram Field operator Richard Comfort),
"It was closed down in 1984."
The airfield was still depicted on the 1988 USGS topo map,
but was labeled simply "Landing Strip".
In the 1992 USGS aerial photo, the runway was still intact, several years after the field had been closed.
Fram Field was no longer depicted at all (even as an abandoned airfield) on the 1998 Sectional Chart.
A circa 2001 aerial photo of the airport site, after the runway was removed.
All traces of the runway had apparently been removed at some point between 1992-2001,
and the land is now farmland.
Donalyn Fram Easterday said "Even though the field doesn't exist [anymore],
the property is still in the family & it was a part of aviation history in the area."
The site of Fram Field is located northwest of the intersection of North 99th Avenue & West Rose Lane,
a half mile east of the present-day Glendale Municipal Airport.
____________________________________________________
Wittman Auxiliary Army Airfield #1, Glendale, AZ
33.72 North / 112.53 West (Northwest of Luke AFB, AZ)
Wittman "#1", as depicted on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Luke AAF,
which was the largest single-engine advanced training base in the world during WW2.
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
"The first [of Luke's auxiliary airfields], appropriately named Auxiliary Field #1, but also known as Wittman,
served as the training site for P-40 operations when Luke Field became too congested with aircraft.
Wittman Field was located 4.5 miles south of the Arizona town with the same name & was activated on July 1, 1941."
The configuration of Wittman Field was described as "having 4 runways,
three being 300' wide & 4,000' long & built in an equilateral triangle configuration,
with a 300' x 3,600' landing strip bisecting the center.
The four-runway configuration… cost $300,000 to construct.
Wittman Field facilities were limited to a control tower, crash truck shed & a generator shed.
Wittman totaled 709 acres."
The earliest depiction of the Wittman auxliary field which has been located
was on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
"It remained a Luke Field asset through the base’s inactivation in 1946."
Luke Aux AAF #1 was listed in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the field as being unattended, and the longest runway as being 4,000'.
"Luke AF #1" was still depicted as an active airfield on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss).
By that time the primary runway had been lengthened to 8,800'.
This airfield was apparently one of the last of Luke's many surrounding WW2-era satellite airfields to remain open.
Unlike most of the others, it was still depicted as an active airfield
on the 1966 Phoenix Local aeronautical chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The December 1976 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Luke AF #1as having 4 paved runways, with the longest being 7,800'.
"Luke AF #1" was still depicted as an active airfield
on the July 1977 CG-19 World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It was depicted as having 4 paved runways, with the longest being 7,800'.
The Volvo Arizona Proving Ground (automobile test track) was constructed adjacent to the southeast corner of the airfield,
opening in 1985.
Luke Auxiliary #1 was evidently closed at some point between 1977-98,
as it was depicted as an abandoned airfield on the 1998 Sectional chart.
A remarkable composite picture, in which David Brooks has superimposed close-up views
of the numerous former auxiliary airfields over the 1996 USGS aerial photo,
showing their location relative to Luke AAF/AFB.
As seen in a circa 2000 aerial photo,
the upper 3 runways were laid out in the triangular arrangement typical of a WW2 Army Airfield,
while the primary runway was eventually further lengthened to its current size of 10,000'.
In the circa 2000 aerial photo, it was paved in asphalt & had markings that are still in very good condition
(and also did not include the "X" symbols of a closed runway).
Although officially not an active military airfield,
new navigational radio & radar equipment has been installed by the USAF at the Wittman airfield in recent years.
This is a fairly unusual case of an abandoned airfield being reused for practice approaches
(which are not continued all the way toward a landing).
Ironically, there are plenty of active airfields which do not have any instrument approaches at all,
while this abandoned airfield has an elaborate set of ground-based instrument approach aids!
According to Lt. Col. Mark Scharf (F-16 ANG pilot, and former F-16 IP at Luke AFB),
"The students at Luke AFB, learning in the initial phases of F-16 training,
have to do a number of instrument approaches before their "qualification" checkride.
To relieve some congestion at Luke AFB proper,
Aux 1 was equipped with a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) and a localizer/ILS to the abandoned runway.
All approaches are to Runway 11 (from the Northwest).
I don't know when this was done, but it's been operating for quite a while.
F-16s departing the MOAs to the northwest of Luke can easily drop into Aux 1 for practice approaches,
then continue back to Luke, which is just over the White Tank Mountains.
The runway is not suitable for landing (big warning on the approach plates we use)
because of the breakdown & foliage growth."
A 2002 photo by a local AZ pilot of a Precision Approach Radar antenna at Wittman Aux.
He remarked, "There are fresh yellow 'X's on the runway,
and 2 white 'T's painted about where the runway thresholds should be."
A 2002 photo by a local AZ pilot of the localizer antenna at Wittman Aux.
A 2002 photo by a local AZ pilot of a glideslope antenna at the end of Runway 29 at Wittman Aux.
An August 2005 aerial view by Alejandro Diaz looking west at the Wittman airfield,
with the facilities of Ford's Volvo Arizona Proving Ground visible at the bottom-left.
____________________________________________________
Beardsley Auxiliary Army Airfield #2, Glendale, AZ
33.71 North / 112.42 West (Northwest of Luke AFB, AZ)
Beardsley "#2", as depicted on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while open has not been located.
Beardsley was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Luke AAF,
which was the largest single-engine advanced training base in the world during WW2.
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
"The origination date of [Beardsley Field] is lost to history."
The configuration of Beardsley Field was described as "having 4 runways,
three being 300' wide & 4,000' long & built in an equilateral triangle configuration,
with a 300' x 3,600' foot landing strip bisecting the center.
The 4-runway configuration… cost $300,000 to construct.
Beardsley Field facilities were limited to a control tower, crash truck shed & a generator shed."
The site consisted of 580 acres that were leased by DoD,
presumably at some point after Luke Air Force Auxiliary Field #1, which was acquired in 1942.
Beardsley also had a 4,000 gallon water tank & a wind tetrahedron.
The earliest depiction of the Beardsley airfield which has been located
was on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
"It remained a Luke Field asset through the base’s inactivation in 1946."
A 1949 aerial view (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted the Beardsley airfield as 4 paved runways.
"Luke AF #2" was depicted as an active airfield on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss),
which described the longest runway as being a 3,800' hard-surfaced strip.
According to an Army Corps of Engineers report,
after the Air Force completed use of the property, it was sold to a private owner.
The north/south runway was used for drag racing at some time in the past.
Owen Gibson reported “I have movie footage of a race at Beardsley...
the site was listed as 2.5M N/W of Beardsley on Hwy 60/70/89.
This was November 1958 & the track design was listed as 3,400' straights & has that classic triangle look.”
"Luke AF #2" was labeled "Closed" on the 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
"Luke AF Aux #2" was depicted as a closed airfield
on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
As seen in the 1997 USGS aerial photo,
the airfield consisted of 4 paved runways (the longest is approximately 3,800' long).
According to a 1998 Army Corps of Engineers report, all facilities (except for the runways) have been removed from the site.
The current owner leases the property to a rancher for cattle grazing.
As seen in a 2005 aerial photo looking northeast by Jim Baker of Hikari Photography,
the runways of Luke Aux #2 appear to remain in the same condition as depicted in 1997.
An April 2007 aerial view by John Galban looking southwest at the site of Beardsley Aux #2,
showing that over half of the airfield has been removed for new construction.
John reported, “I was taken by surprise when flying from Phoenix to Kingman last spring
and noticed that this old landmark had almost disappeared.”
____________________________________________________
Luke Air Force Aux #3, Glendale, AZ
33.64 North / 112.37 West (North of Luke AFB, AZ)
Luke Aux "#3", as depicted on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
Luke Auxiliary Army Airfield #3 was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Luke AAF,
which was the largest single-engine advanced training base in the world during WW2.
Luke Auxiliary Army Airfield #3 was evidentlty built after 1941,
as it was not yet depicted on the September 1941 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to an Army Corps of Engineers Report,
the 656 acre property for Luke Aux #3 was originally acquired in 1942.
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
"Auxiliary Field Number 3 was simply referred to as Fighter Field.
It was located 12.5 miles west-northwest of Glendale
and became a Luke Field asset on December 1, 1942
and remained in that status until surplused on February 1, 1946."
The airfield configuration of Field 3 was described as "having 4 runways,
three being 300' wide & 4,000' long & built in an equilateral triangle configuration,
with a 300' x 3,600' landing strip bisecting the center.
The 4-runway configuration… cost $300,000 to construct.
[Among Luke's auxiliary airfields], Fighter & Goodyear Fields boasted the most facilities,
each having separate buildings for crew chiefs, operations, supply, barracks,
pit latrine, crash truck shed, generator shed & a control tower.
Building construction cost totaled $24,500.
Adding the $11,400 cost for the land, Fighter Field at $335,900
was the most expensive purely auxiliary field owned by Luke during the era."
The earliest depiction of the Luke Aux #3 airfield which has been located
was on the March 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to the "History of Luke AFB" (obtained by David Brooks from the public affairs office at Luke AFB),
Auxiliary Field #3 remained a Luke Field asset "until surplused on February 1, 1946."
A 1949 aerial view (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted the Luke Aux #3 airfield as 4 paved runways.
The airfield property was conveyed to the City of Phoenix in 1949.
However, the entire property was leased again from the City of Phoenix in 1949
and the air field was reestablished for military use.
"Luke #3 (Army)" was depicted as an active airfield
on the 1949 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Top Speed Magazine, 1952, mentioned that the Kluster Busters car club held weekly drag races at Luke Field, Auxiliary #3.
"Luke AF #3" was depicted as an active airfield on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss),
which described the longest runway as being a 3,800' hard-surfaced strip.
The military lease was once again terminated in 1957.
The lease release documentation contained a clause prohibiting
use of the land as an air field as long as Luke Air Force base is used as an air field.
"Luke AF #3" was depicted as a closed airfield
on the December 1976 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to Jim Kudlinski (a nearby resident),
the City of Phoenix recently (2002) exchanged the Luke Aux #3 property for another parcel of nearby land.
The new owner intends to develop it into residential housing.
As seen in the above 1997 USGS aerial photo, the airfield consisted of 4 paved runways (the longest was 3,800' long).
Three of the runways have been overgrown by vegetation.
The fourth runway is surfaced with asphalt & is used by permitted radio controlled airplane operators.
The City of Phoenix has removed the operations buildings,
and no evidence of remaining concrete pads has been found.
The large Sun City West community is adjacent to the airfield to the north.
Chris Kennedy reported in 2003 that he read an article in which it was reported
that a baseball stadium & spring training complex
had recently been built in Surprise, AZ,
'on a square-mile of desert where Luke Air Force Base's auxiliary field once stood.'
However, it turns out that the baseball complex has actually been built
adjacent to the west side of the Luke Aux #3 airfield, not over the airfield itself.
A 2004 photo by Bret Kepner, looking southwest along a former runway at Luke Aux #3.
The light towers of the baseball complex which has recently been built adjacent to the west side of the airfield are visible on the horizon.
Bret Kepner visited the site of Luke Aux #3 in 2004, and reported,
"I parked in the new Kohl's Department Store lot to the north
and walked (freely, I might add) to the northern runway intersection."
Bret observed that the "new massive ballpark complex"
had been built adjacent to the west side of the Luke Aux #3 property to the west.
A 2005 aerial photo showed that portions of all 4