Motown Airport 5AZ6 | Private Desert Airstrip

About the Airport

Motown Airport (5AZ6) is a privately owned, unattended airstrip located under 40 miles south of Phoenix metro area. The field features a 2,700 × 65 ft dirt runway (6/24) at approximately 1,600 ft elevation on roughly 80 acres of open desert that borders the Sonoran Desert National Monument.

Facilities include: an open hangar and pilot lounge available for private use, on-site porta-johns, and well water with a 3,000-gallon storage tank. A 100-yard on-site shooting range is also available. The nearest active neighbor is more than 2 miles away, providing true isolation while remaining around 1 hour from the Phoenix metro area.

Operations are private-use only. Prior permission is required for all aircraft landings, access to the propery, use of the shooting range, overnight camping, and any other activities.

What We Offer

Aerospace & Product Testing

Lease portions of the property or schedule short-term use for testing light experimental aircraft, sensors, autonomy systems, VTOL concepts, engine or rocket development, or other aerospace prototypes. Private setting with flexible scheduling and basic facilities.

UAS / Drone Operations

Use the open desert and dirt runway for aerospace or engine testing, training, payload development, mapping, or commercial drone work. Controlled access and low surrounding population density support a wide range of Part 107 operations. Open hangar, pilot lounge, and several cleared areas on the property are available for staging.

Film, Photo & Location Shoots

Secure a distinctive “private desert runway” backdrop for commercials, music videos, automotive shoots, indie films, and still photography. Exclusive access, open acreage, and authentic Southwest scenery bordering the amazing Sonoran Desert National Monument.

Home of the Arizona Flying Circus

Motown Airport is proud to be the home of the annual Arizona Flying Circus, a unique gathering in the heart of the Sonoran Desert bringing together all kinds of aviation and skydiving ethusiasiasts, wild costumes, explosions, enormous fires, great food, fireworks, flamethrowers, artwork, firearms (yes, there is a shooting range on site), live music, and the infamous bowling ball cannon. Part fly-in, part Burning Man, part Wild West, the Arizona Flying Circus has evolved into a rather unusual event like no other. It is held each year in mid-February.

Visit Arizona Flying Circus

Why Motown Airport

Private-use airfield with controlled access
Close to metro Phoenix, yet completely isolated
Nearest active neighbor more than 2 miles away
80 acres bordering the Sonoran Desert National Monument
2,700 ft hard packed dirt runway suitable for light aircraft and many UAS
Open hangar and pilot lounge for private use
On-site porta-johns and well water with 3,000-gallon tank
100-yard on-site shooting range
Reliable clear weather and low traffic

Photo Gallery

A look at the runway, facilities, and surrounding Sonoran Desert.

Open desert runway

Aerial view of the surrounding desert

Open hangar available for private use

Borders Sonoran Desert National Monument

True isolation — nearest neighbor over 2 miles away

Wide open space for testing and filming

Replace these placeholder images with your own photos of the runway, hangar, pilot lounge, shooting range, and desert views.

Airport Details

Identifier: 5AZ6 (Motown Airport)

Location: 40 miles south of Phoenix, AZ

GPS Coordinates: 32.9250° N, 112.2594° W

Elevation: ~1,600 ft MSL

Runway: 6/24 — 2,700 × 65 ft, dirt

Radio Frequency: 122.900 MHz for general use, 122.800 MHz for special events

Use: Private, prior permission required.

Land area: Approximately 80 acres

Facilities: Open hangar, pilot lounge, porta-johns, well water (3,000-gal tank), 100-yard range

Please Contact Us for current surface conditions and access procedures.

Location & Directions

Motown Airport (5AZ6) is located approximately 8 miles south of Mobile, Arizona, in a quiet area bordering the Sonoran Desert National Monument. It is approximately 1 hour from the Phoenix metro area yet offers complete isolation (nearest active neighbor is more than 2 miles away).

Driving Directions from Phoenix Metro

Approximate drive time: 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic and starting point.

From central Phoenix, take I-10 west or Loop 202 toward the southwest.
Continue toward Maricopa / Mobile area (follow signs for AZ-347 or local routes south of the Gila River).
Head south on 83rd Ave.
DO NOT turn west on Nahalia Rd. Continue south on 83rd. Ave.
Head west on Schumacker Ln.
Head south on 99th Ave.
Pass the rock house and continue south on 99th Ave.
Final approach is on local/desert roads. GPS coordinates work best for the last few miles.

GPS Coordinates: 32.9250° N, 112.2594° W
Recommended: Use the map links below for turn-by-turn navigation, as the final access roads are rural.
Beware, DO NOT turn west on Nahalia Road!!! Most map apps provide incorrect information about turning west on Nahalia Road. At the end of Nahalia Road there is no passable route and the road becomes completely undrivable down a sandy, narrow wash. The best option is to pass Nahalia Road, and continue south on 83rd Avenue, and then head west on Schumaker Lane. If you choose to igore this warning, you will either get very stuck in deep sand or severely damage your vehicle.

Open in Google Maps Open in Apple Maps

Inquire or Request Permission

Interested in using Motown Airport for drone operations, aerospace testing, film work, or a site visit? Fill out the form below or call us at 602-692-7995. We respond to serious inquiries promptly.

All users must carry appropriate insurance and complete a hold-harmless agreement.