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The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) is located on
a part of the old Camp Gordon, a World War I Army training base.
(Our
History) The airport is classified as a a
general aviation reliever airport for
the Atlanta metropolitan area. A reliever airport is a general
aviation airport which reduces air carrier airport congestion by
providing service for the smaller general aviation aircraft. The
term "general aviation" encompasses the entire spectrum
of aircraft and aircraft related businesses and services including
the most sophisticated corporate & business jets, aircraft
charters, training aircraft, helicopters, aircraft maintenance and
refurbishment, and personal aircraft used for business and
recreational purposes.
The airport lies on about 700+ acres of land in the
northeastern part of DeKalb County. The airport currently is home
to 3 fixed wing and 1 helicopter fixed based operators (FBO’s) and
hosts 125 aviation-related tenants. There are about 590 aircraft
of all sorts and types based on the field.
 The airport has
averaged about 228,000 operations (take-offs & landings) per year
over the past 30 years. The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport is the second
busiest airport in the State of Georgia in its number of operations
only behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. PDK's
location only 8 miles from the heart of downtown Atlanta makes it
the airport of choice for those operators of corporate, business,
and general aviation aircraft visiting the Atlanta metropolitan area.
PDK's MISSION STATEMENT provides
for the operations of a business-oriented airport in a safe,
efficient, and fiscally responsible manner. It also stresses the
importance of preserving the quality of life of the community,
recognizing a partnership between residents and general aviation
and general aviation interests.
As a financially self-sufficient enterprise
fund of the County, PDK benefits the local & regional
economy in a number of important ways without using any property
tax funds whatsoever. In addition to the direct employment created
on the airport property, there are the indirect benefits of visitors
being attracted to the area, travel and operating cost savings for
area businesses and the jobs which are attracted to the County
specifically because of the airport.
There are 762 aviation-related jobs at the airport.
Additional "indirect" benefits to the County include $14
million in visitor spending, $50 million in travel and operating
cost savings and 3,600 jobs created by non-airport businesses which
have indicated they would leave the County if the airport were to
close.
A "multiplier effect" also exists which
indicates that the airport, in aggregate, is responsible for an
estimated 7,300 jobs in DeKalb County and generates $130 million in
personal income for DeKalb County residents. This represents
approximately 2% of total County employment and economic activity.
In terms of economic output for the County (the total dollar value
of all goods and services produced), the airport is directly and
indirectly responsible for $819 million of the gross product in the
County. The airport is also the 3rd biggest taxpayer of property
taxes within the County.*
 Based on the
1993 Airport Master Plan, land was acquired and converted to
compatible use in the Runway Protection Zone or RPZ located north
of the Chamblee-Tucker Road on the approach path to Runways 20 Left.
The FAA encouraged this conversion of residential and commercial
land uses and participated in the project with 90% matching funds.
(more info)
Additionally, in 1997, the Airport's Federal
Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study received
approval from the FAA. The study encompassed noise abatement and land
use strategies to reduce noise impacts on incompatible land uses
surrounding the airport. The land acquisition program was a completely
voluntary program for the occupants. (more info)
* Cost Benefit Study of the DeKalb Peachtree Airport,
Final Report, RKG Associates, Durham, NH, Dec, 1997
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