California Airports

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.”

WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP. PLEASE TAKE ACTION NO LATER THAN MARCH 28
The RAF is requesting members to submit comments to the National Park Service (NPS) on the Saline Valley on a management plan, which will determine the future of theChicken Strip in Death Valley National Park. Comments can be made online at clicking this link or by visiting the URL below:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=297&projectID=39438&documentID=56823
The comment deadline is Friday, March 28, 2014.

(CalPilots Editor’s Note: Finally, someone is talking out loud about the real reason behind the city trying to close the airport – MONEY – what else. Of course you’ll have to read the entire article to find this fact hidden at the end of the article).

Santa Monica launches effort to shut down all or part of city airport – The Santa Monica City Council late Tuesday took a major step toward closing all or part of the city’s airport after July 2015 — a controversial move that could result in years of additional court battles with the federal government.

On a 6-0 vote, the council decided to develop and evaluate a strategy to scale back flight operations, cut the 5,000-foot runway by 2,000 feet and reduce aviation related services, such as fuel sales and flight schools.

A group of Santa Monica residents has taken the first step toward launching a ballot initiative that would give city residents a say in the future use of Santa Monica Municipal Airport property, and AOPA has pledged to support the effort.

On March 27, the group filed paperwork needed to begin the initiative process. The group is proposing an amendment to the city charter that would require voter approval before the city can redevelop airport land. Surveys have consistently shown that the majority of Santa Monica residents want to keep the airport open.

Santa Monica City Council Approves Plan To Take Over Portion Of Airport « CBS Los Angeles

Meeting Update Tuesday March 25, 2014 – Despite the headline, I believe the actual motion was “to study” a variety of these possible approaches.

The City Counsel, Marsha Moutrie, cautioned the maker of the motion, Kevin McKeown, to adjust the motion in this regard. (We can only surmise that were it not so adjusted, it might lead to a Part 16 action based on a “decision” by the City Council.)

There were 101 registered speakers of which, by the time the evening wore on, there was fall off with perhaps 80-85 actually speaking at two minutes apiece.

The Santa Monica City Council and Airport Commission are continuing their aggressive effort to force the closure of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO).

While none of this is new, their efforts have been vastly accelerated over the last few months as they look toward the expiration of the 1984 Settlement Agreement between the city and the FAA as their best opportunity to force this issue. Some think that when this agreement expires, the city can close the airport. That’s been a subject of recent litigation between the city and the FAA. So far, the city lost every court case, but they haven’t lost the war. Now the City is focused on a “starvation” strategy – strangle the airport to the point that it can no longer function as an airport.

Apparently, Santa Monica never received the memo – The attached letter from NBAA to the Santa Monica City Council should be read just for the valuable information. It takes the city council to task on several issues including that “as early as 1981 the City was indeed aware that the FAA took the position that “if the city ever in perpetuity ever tries to convert any of this property to any other use, then the federal government gets it back, or can operate to get it back at that time.”

There is more too, as non-aeronautical tenants must pay fair market rent – as well as inconsistent with the report’s overall recommendation that KSMO revenues be maintained.

As you may know, Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is under siege by a very small segment of the local population that has succeeded, over time, in getting sway over the City Council.

We need to change that. SMO is a frequent stop for many of you. It is a vital part of our National Airspace System. If SMO goes, so will other airports  ~ SMO is not a single airport; it is, effectively, a signal airport.

Death Valley airstrip’s future at stake in management plan. CalPilot’s has posted this previously, but here is a reminder that the time is runing out to voice your opinion.

There has been substancial controversy regarding whether the “right” of Skydiving Schools to use use GA airports as landing zones is in conflict with the safety issue involved. This is from a recent incident where luckily, no one was hurt. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/24923080/2014/03/08/plane-collides-into-skydivers-parachute-mid-air