Sedona AZ (February 5, 2021) – People living near one of the main Verde Valley airports are almost constantly aware of airplane and helicopter noise. Recent complaints about jarring “earthquake-like” sound from large military aircraft landing and taking off top the noise scale. Even those living further away from airports also suffer at times from aircraft disturbance.
Proposed solutions often include creating an airport away from Verde Valley cities such as out between Sedona and Cottonwood. Opposition to that solution almost always includes concern about the loss of national forest lands that such a facility would entail.
Unknown to most Valley residents, there is already an airport out between Sedona and Cottonwood – and it’s one of the largest and best of its kind in the state! Scalf Field is located a short distance off Forest Road 525 just beyond Sedona’s wastewater treatment plant. It has been there for almost four decades. Pilots fly a variety of airplanes there almost every day and virtually no one complains about noise. Neither does anyone voice concern about loss of national forest lands since this airport occupies part of what was once Sedona’s dump.
The field is sanctioned by a national aeronautics organization that insures its users and the U. S. Forest Service landlord plus governing many of its flight safety procedures. Pilots fly most often in the mornings when sun angles are best and winds are usually light. Different from other Valley airports, airplanes are often seen performing major stunt maneuvers at low altitude right over the runway and even holding flying contests among pilots from time to time.
This airport’s official name is Scalf Field; named for long-time Cottonwood residents Dick and Elaine Scalf who were instrumental in establishing the site. The Scalfs once operated a hobby store business in Sedona featuring radio-controlled (RC) airplanes. Scalf Field is the best natural-surfaced radio-controlled airplane airport in Arizona.
The airport is home to Central Arizona Modelers, the non-profit RC airplane club serving this part of Arizona. It features a 700 ft. runway, shade Ramada, hobby shop, aircraft repair and start-up spaces, restrooms, solar electric service and an on-line weather monitoring system.
Aircraft flying at the site may range from less than one foot in size up to wing spans of ten feet or more. Planes can be gasoline, alcohol/nitro or battery powered. They may be single or multi-engine propeller driven planes, ducted-fan jets or unpowered gliders. These aircraft can and regularly do perform acrobatic maneuvers exceeding anything possible for full-scale airplanes. And no one complains about any of it.
So the next time you are looking for some aerial entertainment or want to look over one of Arizona’s best airports, take a drive out to Scalf Field. You can find directions to the site and learn more at www.camodelers.com.
Visitors and spectators are always welcome and free introductory flights are available.
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6 Comments
My 12 year old son has recently taken an interest in RC airplanes. He has had such a wonderful experience out at Scalf Field. The members of Central Arizona Modelers have welcomed him with open arms. From helping him assemble his first plane, to coaching him when he’s flying, they have made this so enjoyable for him!!
Friendly and helpful pilots are a great resource for anyone interested in getting started in R/C airplanes.
I’ve flown RC planes for over 30 years and this is one of the best RC fields in Northern Az. The hobby has been a god send during the Pandemic. Allows outdoor activity with easy social distance.
I always make it a point to visit Scalf Field every time we get to Sedona. The Central Arizona Modeler flyers are very friendly and love to teach folks how to fly and enjoy the radio control hobby.
RC flying is also great for middle school and high schools students, as it teaches a lot about science, technology, engineering and math as part of building and flying model aircraft. Many famous pilots and astronauts, like Neil Armstrong, got their start with model aircraft.
Great opportunity for youngsters to get introduced to aviation and for oldsters to stay out of trouble with a terrific hobby.
It’s always been a “must” when visiting from here in New Zealand. About 3 times over the years now Court Holdgrafer would take me out for a mornings flying at the CAM Clubs airfield.
It’s great as it has a smooth runway surface and they are a welcoming friendly group of people.
There’s plenty of room to park up and sit down. Bring your own cold drinks and snacks (Thanks Pat) . The field and club are a really great asset for Sedona and close enough to drive too.
It is a facility for an excellent tech type sport hobby with heaps of trees around and Sedonas red soils! That red rock soil is amazing from over here btw..
I have really good memories from being able to fly RC models here and wish I could get back some time and encourage any one to visit when in Sedona….Laurie Carroll New Zealand