The Arizona Republic says Brian Henio was booked on suspicion of possession of a vapor releasing substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and trespassing.
Police say officers responding to a disturbance call at Falcon Field municipal airport in Mesa found the 33-year-old man in the grove next to the airport, holding a green jug to his lips.
Officers say they recognized the smell of spray paint and noticed paint on Henio's upper lip.
Police say Henio admitted to sniffing spray paint. He also admitted to throwing oranges at the planes, and said he didn't know why it was a big deal.
Mesa is one of the cities that make up the metropolitan Phoenix area.
