Monday night marked a major milestone for our community. The Mesa City Council voted unanimously (7–0) to move forward with changes at Falcon Field Airport. This was a powerful moment, and it reflected how clearly and consistently our community showed up, stayed on point, and focused on financial sustainability and fairness.

Now that the decision has been made, we’re entering a new phase. The focus is no longer on whether this should happen, it’s on making sure it is implemented properly, fairly, and effectively.

We are hearing that some flight schools are asking the City Council to revisit or change the decision. Based on the unanimous vote and how these processes typically work, that’s very unlikely. Once a policy like this is approved, cities move forward with implementation. There may be legal challenges or FAA Part 16 complaints, but those do not stop implementation and most often result in dismissals, or adjustments rather than reversal. It’s something to be aware of, but it does not change the overall direction.

So where do we go from here?

We stay engaged, but in a focused and productive way. That means staying informed as the City moves through implementation, paying attention to updates and timelines, and making sure the process is transparent and consistent.

At the same time, we are continuing to look ahead at additional long-term solutions. That includes working toward minimum standards for SASOs and an updated Fly Friendly program tied to lease agreements. These are common tools used at many airports to help ensure operations remain compatible with surrounding communities while maintaining a strong and sustainable airport environment.

If you experience unusual or concerning aircraft activity, take note of the date, time, and what you observed, then report to the FAA and the city of Mesa.  Accurate documentation matters. Over time, consistent information helps create a clear picture of what’s actually happening.

Just as important, avoid getting pulled into negative comment arguments or debates online. There’s been a lot of emotion around this issue, but what got us here was staying calm, factual, and consistent. That’s what will protect this progress moving forward.

The hardest part, getting the policy approved, is behind us. Now it’s about ensuring it works as intended.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke, supported, and stayed engaged. This was a true community effort, and it made a difference.

Now we stay steady, stay focused, and move forward together.