Marana Air Park is a place of mystery. The airfield was commissioned in 1943 as an Army Airfield to train soldiers as pilots. After the end of World War 2, control of the airfield past to Pinal County. The CIA operated black op flights from here during the Vietnam War and the secrecy of these operations added to the mystic.

In 1975, Pinal County leased the airfield to Evergreen Maintenance, who for nearly 40 years stored, repaired or salvaged commercial aircraft. With security guards stationed at the main entrance, Pinal Airpark remained strictly off-limits. This changed when Evergreen was sold to a venture-capital group in 2011, renaming the company Marana Aerospace Solutions and the gatepost was abandoned.Despite the lack of gate guards, photograph at Pinal remains difficult. The main tenant is Ascent Aviation Services, who provide aircraft storage and maintenance services. Unfortunately, photographers aren’t too welcome near their main hangar off East Pinal Air Park Road. (2A)

Although air-side Tours can be arranged by contacting Jim Petty on 520-866-6545 (who is the local government Development Officer for the airfield), but he is difficult to get hold of!

If approached by Marana Air Solution (MAS, now Ascent Air Service) Security Guard at any location, stay calm. Technically they don’t have authority to arrest or cite anyone. In that case be polite to them, explain you are just willing to take photos, nothing offense to their business, if they still have question, let them call Pinal County Sheriff to handle.

One way to obtain photographs is to arrange an over-flight of the field. There are two operators who offer this service. One is Double Eagle Aviation, located at Tucson. They can be contacted on 520-294-8214 or info@2-eagle.com. As at January 2018, the cost of an over-flight of Pinal is $220, while AMARC is $200. Another alternative is Volare Helicopters, who operate out of Avra Valley. See www.volarehelicopters.com for reference. They charge $360 for a 20 minutes flight, with five minutes over the field. Another possibility is Southwest Flight Center in Scottsdale.

Infos and photos provided by Tim Ames.

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	Spot #1 – Alert Road – Runway 25
WHERE	Once you have passed the entrance gate keep left and continue on East Pinal Air Park Road until you have passed the hangars. Park by the side of the road to do photographs along the fence.
WHAT	The stored Delta aircraft on the wesst side, and for the China Southern MD-80 parked at the east.
TIME	Early until 10.00am
MISC.	Do not venture too close to Silverbell Heliport.  Also, do not park by the China Southern MD-80 as the local Fire Fighters practice their Golf here!
FOCAL LENGTH	Various

	Spot #2 – Alert Road near Golf Course – Runway 07/25
WHERE	East Pinal Air Park Road, near the Main Gate you can walk along the fence.
WHAT	It is possible to obtain photographs of some stored aircraft but it is not ideal due to the distance and heat haze.  Some aircraft are parking nose in but obscured by ramp equipment.
TIME	Early until 10.00am
MISC.	Limited views and heat haze. There are warning sign says “Authorized Personal Only”, with a open road can be access by public. Just be careful to use this location, especially when you walk/drive pass the sign. If ask to leave then leave immediately and return to location 1.
FOCAL LENGTH	Various

	Spot #3 – Adastra Road – Runway 32
WHERE	Kodiak Road, off East Pinal Air Park Road almost at the beginning of the airpark. Park next to the gate and take photos here. You can´t walk much around. Sadly you can´t enter Kodiak Rd. to get to the huge southern ramps.
WHAT	It is possible to obtain photographs of some stored aircraft here but again the options are limited.
TIME	Early until 10.00am
MISC.	Limited views and heat haze. There are warning sign says “Authorized Personal Only”, with a open road can be access by public. Just be careful to use this location, especially when you walk/drive pass the sign. If ask to leave then leave immediately and return to location 1. It is impossible to travel further along Kodiak Road (say to 3B) as this is on airport property.
FOCAL LENGTH	Various