Posts by Andy Wilson
March JPA Could Approve Airport Terminal by April
A general aviation terminal with a military look at the former March Air Force Base near Riverside could be approved in the next few months and built by late next year, according to Lori Stone, executive director of the March Joint Powers Authority.
Read MoreAbandoned & Little Know Airports Website
Click on the link below to see the web banner proclaiming the California Pilots Association sponsorship of the California pages of the Abandoned & Little Know Airports website. The California Pilots Association understands the importance of having the ability to archive which airports have already been lost so history doesn’t continue to repeat itself.
Editor’s Note: CALPILOTS hopes that other statewide flying organizations follows our lead and supports this web site.
Click here to access the California specific pages of this important website.
Torrance Airport Traffic Procedural Change
This week, the Torrance City Council directed that helicopters in-bound and out-bound from the airport climb to or descend from 1400 AGL, through the fixed-wing traffic patterns (at 1000 AGL) when landing at the airport (see articles from the Daily Breeze). Torrance helicopter operators had previously agreed to fly at 600 AGL within the class D airspace to avoid the faster fixed wing traffic, but a few residents have complained about the helicopters flying over their houses and the City Council blindly blundered into the realm of air traffic control. Their Airport Commission unanimously recommended against this move. For a map of the helicopter routes, check http://www.taainfo.org. (See update at the end of this article)
Read MoreMisuse of the Legal System – Deep Pockets Against Balloonist
California ranch steps up legal campaign against ballooning
A private olive ranch in California has stepped up its legal campaign against ballooning by subpoenaing customers of hot-air balloon companies. “We don’t want somebody going for a $200 ride with us getting embroiled in a $150,000-plus lawsuit,” said balloonist Dennis Barrett. JCM Farming has filed lawsuits against more than a dozen balloon companies. The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)
Apparently Santa Monica Not Really Interested in Airport Safety
SMO Balks (So Far) Over Safety Feature
Santa Monica attempted to ban certain business jets from its airport in part due to concerns over safety, but now that a Circuit Court has ruled out the ban, the city’s maneuvering could lead it to turn down a safety measure.
Read MoreUpdate on Whiteman Airport building in the Runway Protection Zone
Update on Whiteman Airport building in the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ)
Read MoreSafety Tip: Airport Surface Deviations
January ASD Safety Tip
Are you a pilot who has vehicle access to your local airport? Perhaps you are an aircraft maintenance technician or an airport employee who has to use vehicles or tugs on the airport movement area? Do you know what one of the major causes of Runway Incursions is? If you guessed vehicle/pedestrian deviations then you are correct! Read MoreOverreacting to Risk Posed by General Aviation
Blogger Lane Wallace writes that an article critical of general aviation in the Atlantic magazine was “overreacting with a sledgehammer to the relatively small risk that general aviation airplanes pose.” According to Wallace, fencing off small airports and requiring extensive security would “kill the magic itself.” TheAtlantic.com/James Fallows blog (Editor’s Note: Some worthwhile reading here)
Read More20-year Lompoc Airport Master Plan Getting Update
The 20-year Lompoc Airport Master Plan update, which is being reviewed by the FAA before being sent to the City Council for adoption, foresees a moderate increase in airport-based aircraft and in air traffic, said Richard Fernbaugh, the city’s aviation/transportation administrator. Lompoc Record.com Editor’s Note: That is good news for Lompoc. Many of California’s Airports…
Read MoreWhiteman Airport – LA County Planning Clueless
There is a new building being built replacing and existing one in the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for Runways 12-30 at the south end of the Airport just across the Street from the Approach end of Runway 30. The Photo of the area with the the existing building marked with a red square. The Building is being built in the City of Los Angeles and the the Airport is in Los Angeles County Property. CALPILOTS was told by people that attended the LA County Airport Commission meeting last month that they knew nothing about it and at this month’s Commission Meeting they had little more information.
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