Archive for September 2012
2011 GA Survey is Underway
The FAA’s 34th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Survey for 2011 data is underway and available online at www.aviationsurvey.org
“Reducing GA fatalities is a top priority of the FAA and our goal is to reduce the GA fatal accident rate by 10 percent by 2018,” said FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta. “By taking the time to participate in the FAA’s GA survey, owners and operators share valuable data that help the entire GA community.”
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Sonoma Valley Airport – Adjacent Land Use Issues
FAA Delays (Portland) Vancouver Airspace Change
California has also experienced the FAA’s “not so friendly general aviation attitude” when the FAA wanted to create an even more confusing airspace in Los Angeles (is that even possible?) due to the complaints of Jet Blue regarding TCAS alerts departing out of Long Beach. Additionally, the FAA’s total lack of concern with the NOAA’s air space grab along the entire west coast left all of us shaking our heads when NOAA could not, and would not, produce evidence which validated the need for further restrictions over wildlife areas.
Read MoreBe persistent, but be there
Someone asked me recently what I would say if asked for advice about how to be a good advocate for general aviation. The answer is simple — and it doesn’t matter if the advocacy you intend to do is on behalf of general aviation, a local bowling league, or anything… Read More
Read MoreWatsonville Council Postpones Adoption of General Plan Update
The Watsonville City Council met on Tuesday evening September 25th to adopt the updated General Plan 2030, and the associated recirculated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The Watsonville Pilots Association (WPA), the Friends of Buena Vista, and local Sierra Club sued the city after the May 2006 meeting where the council approved the General Plan 2030 despite major opposition.
The issue was over development and encroachment of Watsonville Airport requiring closure of runway 8-26. Not to mention the urban sprawl with the associated environmental problems it would have created. Read MoreCity of San Jose – City Council Meeting Sept. 25
Can Santa Monica Airport Be A Benefit To The City?
As the debate continues about whether Santa Monica Airport (SMO) should be shut down or continue operating as is, one thing is for certain: what happens in thenext 30 months will determine whether or not City Hall may potentially be engaged in a litigious battle with the federal government.
Runway rules 101
As pilots, we tend to focus the majority of our attention to the challenges that await us in the skies. But sometimes the most demanding part of a flight is actually getting to and from the runway.
Update Underway for SBA Safety Zones
Future Construction Will Be Affected by Pending Land Use Compatibility Plan.
County officials will draw new lines around the airport in upcoming months, as the Santa Barbara Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) is due for a major overhaul.
The ALUCP regulates how vacant land around the airport can be developed, making sure all structures are appropriately built to accommodate for the safety of both planes and people. While existing structures will not be affected, business owners and residents in certain zones looking to add to their properties will need to verify that their projects don’t violate the new ALUCP.
Read MoreGustine Approves Airport Project
The City Council last week approved a quarter-million dollar refurbishment of the taxiway areas of the Gustine Municipal Airport, one piece in an ongoing effort to upgrade airfield operations.
The Airport Commission, council and staff are taking a comprehensive look at the airfield to identify projects and priorities, said City Manager Greg Greeson and Assistant City Manager Sean Scully.
The taxiway project was identified as a priority by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is funding 90 percent of the cost.
“It is one of the things that FAA had identified that they wanted to see us improve on,” Greeson explained. “As they look at airports, that is one of the areas that is important to them.”
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