Peabody Bedard Airport (38AZ): Private Aviation near Flagstaff's Ponderosa Country
Peabody Bedard Airport, identified by the FAA registration code 38AZ, is a private airfield situated in the Flagstaff area of Coconino County, Arizona. Private airstrips like Peabody Bedard are a common feature of northern Arizona's landscape, where ranching operations, rural properties, and large private land holdings create the need for on-site aviation access that public airports cannot efficiently provide. The Flagstaff area's ponderosa pine forests, volcanic plateau terrain, and proximity to Grand Canyon aviation routes make it a desirable location for private aircraft owners who appreciate the combination of scenic flying and practical utility.
At Flagstaff's latitude and elevation—the surrounding plateau ranges from 6,500 to 7,500 feet MSL—private airstrips like 38AZ face the same high-altitude performance challenges as the nearby public airports. The FAA registers private airfields in Arizona within the Western-Pacific Region, and the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group maintains awareness of all registered facilities for state aviation planning purposes. Private airports in Arizona operate under different regulatory frameworks than public-use airports, and pilots wishing to use private facilities like Peabody Bedard must obtain prior permission from the owner before landing.
Is Peabody Bedard Airport (38AZ) open to the public?
No. Peabody Bedard Airport is a private-use facility. Pilots must obtain explicit prior permission from the airport owner before landing. Unauthorized landings at private airstrips are a violation of FAA regulations and potentially trespassing under Arizona law.
What type of aircraft typically use private airstrips like 38AZ near Flagstaff?
Private rural airstrips in northern Arizona typically accommodate light piston aircraft—Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft types—though the specific runway length and surface condition at Peabody Bedard determines actual capability. Pilots should verify current runway details before planning any operation.
What elevation considerations apply to a private airstrip near Flagstaff?
The Flagstaff Plateau sits above 6,500 feet MSL, creating density altitude conditions that significantly reduce aircraft performance, particularly for underpowered piston aircraft on hot summer days. Pilots must apply full high-density-altitude operating procedures at any airstrip in this region.
Peabody Bedard Airport - 38Az Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Flagstaff, Arizona.
| Name | Peabody Bedard Airport - 38Az |
| Address | 6276 South Pulliam Drive, Flagstaff AZ 86001 Map |
| Phone | (928) 214-8328 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Peabody Bedard Airport - 38Az
Private Aviation Access in the Flagstaff Region
Private airstrips like Peabody Bedard Airport (38AZ) complement the public-use aviation network in Coconino County by providing direct on-property access for rural landowners, ranchers, and large estate holders. In a county as vast as Coconino—the second-largest county in the contiguous United States—private airstrips reduce travel time to remote properties that might be hours from public airports. The Flagstaff area's aviation culture is strong, supported by the presence of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the active flying community around Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG).
Visitors with connections to private aviation facilities in the Flagstaff area enjoy some of the most spectacular scenic flying in Arizona, including aerial views of the San Francisco Peaks (Arizona's highest mountains), the Painted Desert, and the approaches to the Grand Canyon. The Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group and FAA Western-Pacific Region maintain records of all registered airfields, including private use facilities, as part of comprehensive state aviation planning. For general public use and commercial connectivity, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) remains the primary public airport serving Coconino County and the surrounding region.