Andy Wilson, Author at CalPilots

Federal government seeks to dismiss Santa Monica Airport lawsuit

By Andy Wilson | January 14, 2014

In the battle to close Santa Monica Airport, the federal government on Friday requested that the city’s lawsuit to gain control of the historic facility be dismissed.

Santa Monica officials sued in October, challenging the constitutionality of a 1948 agreement that transferred ownership of the property and its 5,000-foot runway from the federal government back to the city after World War II on the condition it remain an airport.

Bill Positioned to Move Ahead Airport Projects

By Andy Wilson | January 14, 2014

A California bill that would help airports pay for federally funded improvement projects passed the State Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing on an 11-0 vote Jan. 14. On Jan. 21, the bill was placed on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file pending consideration of amendments later in the week.

FAA Management Advisory Council

By Andy Wilson | January 14, 2014

Secretary Foxx Announces 10 New Members to – WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx today appointed 10 new members to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Management Advisory Council (MAC). The council advises the FAA on management, policy, spending and regulatory matters. (CalPilots Editor’s Note: The FAA needs a council that can help it move forward from its bureaucractic glacier like responses in Washington D.C.)…

FAA Disagrees with Santa Monica on Airport

By Andy Wilson | January 14, 2014

FAA Tells Santa Monica It Must Operate Airport Through At Least 2023 – City Had Hoped To Repurpose 227 Acres Of Airport Property To Other Uses

The city of Santa Monica, CA has been told in no uncertain terms by the FAA that they cannot close the airport and open up its 227 acres for redevelopment until at least 2023, and likely not ever, according to a communication sent by the agency to city government.

Inland Valley Development Agency finance director named

By Andy Wilson | January 12, 2014

SAN BERNARDINO >> A federal audit manager has been tapped as the new finance director for the Inland Valley Development Agency and San Bernardino International Airport Authority.

William Garay, a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and California State University San Bernardino, is set to begin his new post before Feb. 15, agency officials said Friday.

Tracy Airport – High fuel prices a puzzlement at airport

By Andy Wilson | January 12, 2014

With all of the public interest generated in the past couple of months about the proposed Ellis residential development’s connections with Tracy Municipal Airport, local pilots have mentioned one vexing question about the airport to me.

And that question does not concern any charges of alleged illegalities in Surland’s payment of $50,000 in airport fuel sales fees owed to the city by Turlock Air Center, which has the fuel contract at the local airport. There is nothing illegal about the payments, an investigation by the city has concluded.

Cable Air Show Ending? Thank the FAA

By Andy Wilson | January 11, 2014

FAA Control Tower Policy Could Force End Of The Event – The 2014 edition of the Cable Air Show at Cable Airport (KCCB) in Upland, CA may be the last, if the FAA does not reverse its policy of charging hefty fees for air traffic control tower services during such events.

Airport president Bob Cable said the airport has been billed $15,000 for air traffic control services for the 39th annual edition of the show. The event usually brings in about $30,000 to $40,000, which is all donated to aviation scholarships in the local community, according to a report in the Daily Bulletin.

Modesto Airport pledge drive about to take off

By Andy Wilson | January 7, 2014

Businesses and other air travelers soon will be asked to show their support for restarting passenger service with Los Angeles. Modesto’s airport consultant is launching a drive Monday to collect pledges from companies, residents and others that they would spend $1 million on tickets for daily flights to and from Modesto and Los Angeles International airports. (CalPilots Editor’s Note: An intersting contrast of two cities. Modesto values its airport and the long term commerce it can bring them, while Santa Monica values the short term money they will get when they sell off the airport land to business).

Santa Monica – A battle GA must win

By Andy Wilson | January 5, 2014

December 2013 – Santa Monica Airport’s fate has many implications – Once a key strategic asset for a nation at war, Santa Monica Municipal Airport has survived many attempts on its life over the years.

The latest threat is a lawsuit filed Oct. 31 by the city of Santa Monica, Calif., in an effort to take full control of theairport’s fate and release the city from its obligation to operate an airport on the 227 acres in question. A ruling on the lawsuit that will initially be made by a U.S. District Court judge could have implications for the long-term survival of hundreds of other airports across the country.