SkyRanch at Carefree Airport

Welcome to SkyRanch … 18AZ

The airport at SkyRanch has been at the center of Carefree, Arizona since the town’s earliest origins dating back to the 1950s. The airpark community has been a focal point of the town of Carefree and continues to serve the overall community in many ways.

SkyRanch at Carefree is a private world Class premier fly-in community, that is second to no other airpark.  As a private airport, it is for the explicit use of the members and their guests.  SkyRanch also welcomes visitors doing business in the Town of Carefree, or visiting either of the two lovely resorts in our town – the Boulders or the Civana Wellness Resort.

Use this site as your resource for information regarding the SkyRanch at Carefree Airport.  While a private airport, SkyRanch is the aviation gateway to Carefree and the surrounding areas.  

Essential Airport Data

FAA Identifier: 18AZ

Elevation: 2568 ft. / 783 m (estimated)
Variation: 13E (1985)
From city: 1 mile E of CAREFREE, AZ
Time zone: UTC -7 (year round; does not observe DST)
Private:  Prior Permission Required
Airport use: Private use. Permission required prior to landing
Sectional chart: PHOENIX
Control tower: no
ARTCC: ALBUQUERQUE CENTER
FSS: PRESCOTT FLIGHT SERVICE STATION
Attendance: 0800-1600
Pattern altitude: 3510 ft. MSL
TKOF RWY 6 CLIMB TO 3200′ BEFORE TURNING; TKOF RWY 24 CLIMB TO 3000′ BEFORE TURNING.
Wind indicator: yes
Segmented circle: no
Lights: ACTVT LIRL RWY 06/24 – 122.975.
Landing fee: yes
UNICOM: 122.725
WX AWOS-1: 125.625 (480-488-7882)
WX ASOS at SDL (12 nm S): PHONE 480-483-3049
WX ASOS at DVT (12 nm SW): PHONE 623-587-7764
Nearby radio navigation aids
VOR radial/distance VOR name Freq Var
PXRr357/23.4 PHOENIX VORTAC 115.60 12E
IWAr325/33.3 WILLIE VORTAC 113.30 13E
NDB name Hdg/Dist Freq Var ID
FALCON FIELD 327/22.9 281 12E FFZ ..-. ..-. –..
CHANDLER 340/33.4 407 12E CHD -.-. …. -..
Fuel available: 100LL JET-A+
Parking: tiedowns
Bottled oxygen: NONE
Bulk oxygen: NONE
Dimensions: 4037 x 50 ft. / 1230 x 15 m
Surface: asphalt
Weight bearing capacity:
Single wheel: 12.5
Runway edge lights: low intensity
RUNWAY 6
Gradient: 1.9%
Traffic pattern: right
Displaced threshold: no
Markings: basic, in good condition
Runway end identifier lights: yes
Obstructions: 20 ft. cactus, 400 ft. from runway, 10:1 slope to clear
ROAD 95′ LEFT; +5′ SIGN 90′ LEFT.

 

RUNWAY 24

Gradient: 1.9%
Traffic pattern: left
Displaced threshold: 500 ft.
Markings: basic, in good condition
Runway end identifier lights: yes
Obstructions: 20 ft. brush, 200 ft. from runway
ROAD AT 150′; +5′ TERRAIN AND +4′ SIGN 90′ RIGHT.

Ownership: Privately-owned
Owner: SKY RANCH ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 3162
CAREFREE, AZ 85377
Phone 480-488-3571
Manager: TOMMY THOMASON
P.O. BOX 3162
CAREFREE, AZ 85377
Phone 480-488-3571
Aircraft based on the field: 101
Single engine airplanes: 91
Multi engine airplanes: 7
Jet airplanes: 1
Gliders airplanes: 2

Aircraft operations: avg 66/week *
96% local general aviation
4% transient general aviation
* for 12-month period ending 01 January 2015

– NO TOUCH AND GO LNDGS.
– PLINE E, MOUNTAINS W.
– WASH IN RWY SAFETY AREA FOR RWY 24.
– AVOID LOW FLYING OVER HOMES IN ARPT VICINITY.
– GLIDER TOWING OPERATIONS AND OPERATING AREA.
– NO TKOF OR LDG BY HELICOPTERS PERMITTED.
– TWY AND RAMPS ARE RATED LESS THAN 12,500 LBS GWT.
– 24 HR PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED BEFORE LANDING
There are no published instrument procedures at 18AZ.

Some nearby airports with instrument procedures:

KSDL – Scottsdale Airport (12 nm S)
KDVT – Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (12 nm SW)
KFFZ – Falcon Field Airport (23 nm S)
KPHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (24 nm S)
KGEU – Glendale Municipal Airport (26 nm SW)

SkyRanch at Carefree is a Private Airport
Fees below apply to arriving aircraft that meet the Prior Permission to Land criteria.

Contact the airport manager’s office to book your arrival
480-488-3571

Aircraft Type


Landing Fee


Tie Down Fee


Single Engine

$25

$20

Twin Engine

$75

$35

Turboprop/Jet$150$50

Prices effective 03/10/2023:

AvGas:  $6.20/gallon

Jet A:  $5.79/gallon

Members, subtract the “Membership Discount” from above quoted prices.

Safety Briefing Video

Vehicle Safety Briefing Video

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Had an invitation to go fishing. It involved a flight over to the Red Creek Airstrip, a hike down to the Verde River and throw in a fishing line.

Did not have a fishing pole, so I brought a camera instead. Idea was to catch a picture of the "big" one. Only thing I caught was a great flight out to Red Creek.
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10 months ago
SkyRanch at Carefree

A new Barnstormer has arrived at the SkyRanch at Carefree Airport. Watch out for those trees!!! ... See MoreSee Less

12 months ago
SkyRanch at Carefree

Residents from SkyRanch make a trip out to the Wayside Inn Oasis for breakfasts and check out a few other things along the way. ... See MoreSee Less

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Can’t believe I still haven’t been there. Let me know when you’re going so I can tag along.

Great video! Thanks for sharing ❤️

Great video! Sorry I missed it.

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From time to time we do get wildlife on the runway at SkyRanch, such as the coyotes seen here. Be on the lookout while landing. ... See MoreSee Less

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FAQs

Answer: Carefree is a community of 3,500 residents in the northeast corner of the Valley of the Sun. The town sits on the northern border of Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Airport is 12 miles south and the Deer Valley Airport 12 miles to the southwest.
Answer: Carefree can serve as a gateway to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, just as the other airports in the area. However, with an average of less than a dozen reported operations a day, pilots will enjoy the non-congested environment that SkyRanch has to offer. Furthermore, hangars are available for immediate occupancy.

SkyRanch PNR

Visiting guests and those with overflow housing needs may consider CIVANA, formerly the Carefree Resort and Conference Center.  The newly remodeled and re-themed resort is available at a discount to SkyRanch visitors and guests by mentioning the SkyRanch PNR upon making a reservation.  Please visit their website at www.civanacarefree.com.