(Editor's Note:  Knowing that many Califorinia pilots visit Washington's San Juan islands, our friends at Friday Harbor Airport asked us to share this announcement).

Friday Harbor Airport is pleased to announce the opening of the new Pilot Welcome Center in the northeast corner of the airport next to the guest tiedown area. Like many small airports, Friday Harbor Airport lacked a facility to welcome pilots to our beautiful community. Now, thanks to a grant from the San Juan County Public Facilities Financing Assistance program there is a nice place for pilots to rest, do flight planning, use the restrooms, enjoy free wi-fi, or just relax on the front porch.

The Port of Friday Harbor teamed with the Town of Friday Harbor to install a vehicle turnabout for pick-up and drop-off next to the Pilot Welcome Center and installed sidewalks that lead to the town center. Friday Harbor Airport is one of the few airports in the state where visitors can tie down aircraft and take an easy 10 minute walk to town to enjoy the shops, restaurants and hotels. Come visit the "Gem of the San Juans" this season or plan to enjoy the 5th Annual Friday Harbor Fly-In and Community Open House scheduled for Saturday, July 26th. The pancake breakfast begins at 8:00 am with the show starting at 10:00 am. Check out this video from last year's event! www.fridayharborflyin.blogspot.com.

Ken Dobson, a retired police officer, said he received quite a welcome when he landed his single-engine Cessna in Detroit two days after leaving his home in Palm Desert.

Five sheriff's cars surrounded the plane and deputies got out with guns drawn. Then a helicopter arrived with four federal agents and a drug-sniffing dog.

CalPilots Editor's Note: CalPilots was previously advised by the California Department of Parks and Recreation that the state was not pursuing this idea. We will be joining forces with AOPA to act against this unrequired piece of legislation which creates unnecesary operational concern for the state's pilots.

AOPA is requesting the immediate withdrawal of an amended draft regulation that would set minimum altitudes for aircraft flying over California state parks being proposed by the state's Department of Parks and Recreation. As written, the amended draft regulation conflicts with preemptive federal regulations and would have far-reaching effects and implications for general aviation pilots.

Open letter to Dianne Feinstein seeking assistance on maintaining the Santa Monica Airport as part of the state's and nation's transport infrastructure.

The image is a compilation of 75 different pictures. Since more than 1,500 flights take off from LAX on any given day, photograher Micheal Kelley pointed out that he only focused on one runway and this picture isn't meant to capture every single flight – or even every plane he took a picture of during takeoff."I think the picture resonates with so many people because now we take air travel for granted in our lives," Kelley . "Flying has become so mundane. You forget how cool it can be, how many planes take off and land every day."

Event serves as legislative advocacy effort - The second annual California Aviation Day will take place April 22 and 23 in Sacramento. The first event last April was deemed a success, and organizers expect even more to participate this year.

This event serves as a great opportunity for the industry to promote the variety, vitality, and importance of aviation in California. It's also a great chance for pilots to meet with state legislators and staff all in one place, to personally discuss the issues of importance to general aviation.