"Bones" wrote:
I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.

If you happen to have non-aviation local knowledge of any areas or
neighborhoods of the city that are considered less favorable areas to reside
due to crime or other community issues please pass that along as well.

I have the benefit of working from a home office so I won't need to commute
on a daily basis and can look for housing, probably an apartment, near my
favorite airport.

http://www.aerobatics.com/

They have a collection of Pipers, a couple of 172s, a Bonanza, and are
one of the few places where you can rent tailwheel airplanes in this
area. The city of Chandler has some very nice areas and lots of new home
developments to the south. Chandler Airport (CHD) is one of 3 Class D
airports in close proximity in Phoenix's "East Valley", with
Williams-Gateway (IWA) and Falcon Field (FFZ) being the other two. The
town of Gilbert is located in the middle of the three airports. Falcon
has gotten very, very busy. Chandler is less busy, but is getting some
of the spillover from Falcon. The Class D airports to the northeast of
Phoenix -- Deer Valley and Scottsdale -- are busy beyond belief (IMO)
.... it's been my experience to sit on the taxiway for 20 minutes waiting
for takeoff clearance at Deer Valley, and our CFIs had said they were
denied clearance to enter Scottsdale's airspace. To the south, within
about 30 nm, there are some pretty nice, uncontrolled airports -- Casa
Grande (CGZ), Phoenix Regional (A39), Coolidge (P08). Marana (AVQ) and
Ryan (RYN), near Tucson (TUS), have good restaurants and are frequent
fly-to-breakfast/lunch places from East Valley locations.

All of the above is JMO (Gilbert resident, plane at Chandler).

Shirl