Since its inception, Thunderbird #2 graduated more than 5,500 students, three times the total contemplated by the AAF's original expansion program.

While in operation, Thunderbird #2 underwent a transformation that took it from a small piece of isolated desert to a primary training school.

In November 1943, the peak was reached; 615 cadets who flew an average of two hours a day, making 1,845 separate takeoffs and landings.

In spite of the intensified training, the field gained a widespread reputation for thoroughness of instruction and high caliber graduates.

In 1966, the City of Scottsdale bought the airfield portion of the academy's property from the Seventh-day Adventist Church for $750,000.

[10] The funds was provided to the City by Landel Inc., a company that was planning on developing industrial sites around the airport.

[12] On December 14, 2023, JSX announced they would move their Phoenix Sky Harbor operations to Scottsdale Airport from January 10, 2024 with service to Burbank, Denver–Rocky Mountain, Las Vegas.

[2] In the year ending December 31, 2020, the airport had 202,564 aircraft operations, average 555 per day: 91% general aviation, 8% air taxi and less than 1% military.

Scottsdale Airport is also home to Civil Air Patrol Squadrons 314 and 310, assisting in field missions upon request.

The following airlines operate regularly scheduled passenger flights at Scottsdale Airport: On February 10, 2025, a privately-owned Bombardier Learjet 35A veered off the runway while landing at the airport and crashed into a parked business jet, resulting in the death of one person and the injuries of four people.

The Learjet was owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil, who was not onboard the jet at the time of the crash.