arizona airport passport program almost ready to go live

~  Arizona Airport Passport Program  ~

Almost Ready To Go Live!

 

By Trent Heidtke

After more than a year of planning, preparation, app development, and hard work, we are close to launching an Arizona Passport program that will incentivize pilots to fly to all of Arizona’s 56 public use airports, visit aviation themed museums, and dine at on-site airport restaurants. By doing so, Arizona joins 9 other states having an airport passport program.

So, what is the Arizona Passport Program you ask? Well, in a nutshell the program is intended to incentivize pilots to go out and explore all of what our great state has to offer the pilot community. From exploring seldom-used airports, to dropping in on great airport restaurants, to taking in rich aviation themed museums, the program is designed with several goals in mind.

First and foremost, the program is intended to encourage more pilots to get out and fly to places they may not have flown to before. Doing so helps pilots keep up on flight planning skills that we normally take for granted when we fly to places like Eloy for breakfast. Landing at different airports also keeps our piloting skills honed, so in the end we become safer pilots.

Next the program seeks to promote Arizona tourism. We live in a diverse and beautiful state, and while going to the usual breakfast run is fun, there is a lot more of Arizona to see. Beyond that, for the lesser-used airports, we can make a positive economic impact in those smaller communities that we will visit.

Unlike other states using passport books and ink stamps, ours is application based. Thanks to a partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, an application has been produced that will automatically log visits to each of the locations included in the program. All one needs to do when visiting is scan a QR code posted at the location! You automatically receive credit for that visit. There are three visit milestones in the program and at achieving each milestone, there is a prize awarded to the participant. It is really that simple. And yes, both Android and iOS are supported.

Stay tuned for the official launch shortly. Personally, I can’t wait to get started on planning some new adventures. 

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