California Airports

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

Willits Municipal Airport and the City of Willits presents their first annual Discover Flying Day, Saturday, March 1, 2014, beginning at 10 a.m. Airport Manager Dan Ramsey says, “If you’ve ever wondered what flying an airplane feels like — or you’d like to restart or return to flying — plan to attend this fun and free event at the Willits Airport this Saturday. Experienced pilots and flight instructors will answer your questions about what flying an airplane is like, where you can fly in your own airplane, the requirements for getting a pilot’s license, the new light-sport license and aircraft, how to be a frugal pilot and cut costs without cutting safety, and considering a partnership or flying club. You can ask questions of experienced pilots to see if flying is right for you.”

Every pilot has probably asked him/herself if the issues associated with general aviation are worth the experience of flight. This short video is a good example of why it is worth it. Why we fly, why we continue to fight for our rights as aviators. Enjoy.

Aviation users of Gnoss Field got some good news and bad news earlier in February for the long-delayed runway extension.

On February 11, the good news came from the Marin County Board of Supervisors who voted 5-0 to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for an 1,100 foot extension of runway 13/31. The certification vote allows the project to move forward through its many steps toward lengthening the runway to 4,400 feet.

Dear friends of Ocean Ridge Airport – As you may be aware, the condition of the runway surface at Ocean Ridge Airport has degraded to a condition that threatens the future viability of the airport. In fact, Caltrans, (Division of Aeronautics) the California State governing agency that issues airport operating permits, conducted an inspection of the airport on August 2, 2013 and issued a report that states the runway surface exhibits “severe raveling and loss of asphalt aggregates” that can potentially create Foreign Object Damage to aircraft and propellers.

Eight years ago the shiny new William M. Thomas Terminal at Meadows Field Airport opened amid fanfare and dreams of growth at the county’s main airport.

A year later Kern County’s first international flights to Guadalajara, Mexico, began flying out of the old terminal after Kern County poured $8 million into its renovation.

SAN BERNARDINO – After two years of organizational restructuring following a federal criminal investigation, San Bernardino International Airport will see a spate of new development in the next year, including dozens of new hangars and construction of the Sheriff’s Department’s new aviation division.

It’s development airport officials see as promising at a time when not far to the west Ontario is struggling to gain control of its airport.

Last Friday, the Monterey Peninsula Airport District (MPAD) initiated their Runway Area Safety (RSA) project at the Monterey Regional Airport with a groundbreaking ceremony on the Airport’s Observation Deck. Representative Sam Farr (D-Carmel) joined the festivities voicing his strong support for this safety project. In addition to Congressman Farr, two representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Robin Hunt and Brian Armstrong along with John Pfeifer from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Administration (AOPA) joined the MPAD Board in the celebration.