Archive for September 2003

July August 2003 Newsletter

POLITICIAN WANTS TO CLOSE BUCHANAN AIRPORT

An old ploy used by some politicians for gaining media name recognition is to create a controversy surrounding an airport. This seems to be the tactic embarked on by Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier. It has been reliably reported that closure of Buchanan Field Airport will be his platform in running for election to the California Assembly in 2006. This tactic was used some years back by a Santa Clara County Supervisor who proposed closing Reid Hillview Airport. She was not able to close the airport but she did generate enough name recognition to gain election to the U.S Congress.

July August 2003 Cal PIlots Newsletter

by George Loegering VP- CPA Region 1

The county reports that they are making progress on the updated EIR with a major push to complete the work pending a meeting July 9th with the FAA. There is much to do. An item that is looming large on the horizon is public involvement. Those of you present at the Trinity County Pilots Association (TCPA) annual meeting are aware that we need to get the word out to other airport supporters that the success of project demands advocates. Our Board of Supervisors (BOS) expects to have input from their constituents on the project. The input includes letters and phone calls and presence at the public hearings. Without a presence the BOS will be inclined to believe that the project is only wanted/needed by a select minority.

July August 2003 Cal Pilots Newsletter

by Clay Farlow Secretary

Two scholarships were awarded on May 28th this year at the Sonora High School. The recipients were Wesley Durnall and Benjamin Adriano. They each received $1000.00 to continue their education toward an aviation career. Shirley Harms and Clay Farlow presented the certificates. When they matriculate this fall, TCAA will honor their certificates with checks from the scholarship fund.

July August 2003 Cal PIlots Newsletter

by Ed Rosiak

On Good Friday I happened to be at a golf course, which is located directly under the approach path of San Jose?s Reid Hillview 30L and 30R. I would estimate that it was four miles out. I spent more time looking up then watching where the heck my ball ended up. I have to admit that I was surprised at the amount of traffic this day, although there have been times when waiting for departure, or approaching to land, that it felt like all of the pilots in Northern California were there. This days busy traffic load was no doubt a result of the Easter Weekend getaway.

July August 2003 Cal PIlots Newsletter

Caltrans Division of Aeronautics Meeting Notes

By George Loegering

On May 1, 2003, a meeting requested by Russ Schildt, President of RAPA, which included staff, Aviation Safety Officers Gary Knudson and Gary Cathey, was held with Aeronautics Division Chief Austin Wiswell. AOPA California State Rep John Pfiefer, CPA Region VP-1 George Loegering and CPA Director Region II Colleen Turner were also in attendance. The meeting was precipitated by airport clear zone closures at Dunsmuir and Shingletown. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to avoid airport closures due to non-compliance issues. Russ presented a concept that required Caltrans input and cooperation.

May June Cal PIlots Newsletter

By Jay C. White

Recently a Mexican Airlines flight caused quite a stir during a flight to and after landing at San Francisco Airport. The flight crew experienced radio communications difficulties enroute. In an attempt to comply with recommended procedures they activated a discrete frequency on the aircraft transponder. As stated in the Airman’s Information Manual, the discrete code for alerting air traffic controllers to a communication failure is 7600. Instead, for reasons not clear this crew displayed code 7700. That is the international code indicating a an onboard emergency.

May June 2003 Cal Pilots Newsletter

by Dan E. Chauvet

Watsonville Airport is one step closer to being assured that surrounding land uses will be compatible with the airport. A Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) has been prepared and is awaiting approval by the Watsonville City Council.

May June Cal PIltos Newsletter

by George Loegering VP Region 1

Airports are irreplaceable. I think we can all agree on that statement. Yet, did you know that many California rural airports are in danger of closing? There are examples in Modoc, Shasta and Trinity Counties. Others in Humboldt, Lake and Siskiyou have been temporally rescued, their issues unresolved long term. Protecting our airports is a full time job, and requires an organized effort to be effective. There are several concerns such as noise, safety, local citizens, developers, and the privatization of public use strips. Rural airport clear zones have been jeopardized, when adjacent trees grew into them. When runway obstacles are on private or federal lands, the length of the resolution can cause temporarily, or permanent closure.

May June Cal Pilots Newsletter

by Ruth Erickson, President

Hollister?s Airmen?s Association (HAA) had its ups and downs last year, but in the face of adversity they came through even stronger. In November a fire decimated one of the airport?s historic WWII buildings (#25), and HAA lost its supplies, and its meeting room of 20 years. Fortunately, they came through it, and are looking forward to the future.