California Airports

The return of the world’s leading aerospace company is a welcome and much-needed boost for San Bernardino’s beleaguered international airport. Following up on a commercial shoot and aircraft testing at the airport earlier this spring, Boeing returned in late May to begin testing its 747 model. The company expects the work to wrap up in August.

It’s not the commercial passenger service San Bernardino International Airport officials have long sought, but landing the Boeing contract is a positive sign of recovery and should muzzle critics who continue to paint the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Museum slates Open Cockpit Day  – The Oakland Aviation Museum in California will hold an Open Cockpit Day and aviation paraphernalia fundraising sale June 16 — Father’s Day — to support its A-3 Skywarrior restoration project. The planes will be open for inspection from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Imagine sitting in a Korean or…

If you’re heading to the Golden West Airshow in Marysville this weekend stop in and say hi. The California Pilots Association’s booth is located about mid airport with the other aviation organizations and vendors. CalPilot Director Bill Turpie talks to an associate at Golden West

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) – The city of Ontario has sued Los Angeles in order to take over control of the Ontario International Airport. Attorney Roy Goldberg claims the facility has been neglected for years and Los Angeles caused “immeasurable harm” to Inland Empire residents because of the way it has dealt with the airport. Goldberg specifically said officials at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) didn’t “promote and expand air service” at the airport.

Bay Area’s Biggest Fixer-Upper Looking for New Tenant – Bill Parsons surveyed the hulking metal hangar, towering like a massive metal cocoon over Moffett Field.

With its decaying outer skin removed, the historic Hangar One looked as if it had been assembled with an erector set.

Parsons worked in the hangar back in the sixties, when he was an airplane mechanic with the Navy.

“The enormity — spending a night watch in there by myself,” Parsons mused, “you wonder about the ghosts.”

Earlier this month the city council of Santa Monica, California, decided to strike a blow for economic parity by instituting landing fees at the airport. As a former city commissioner of a small city that owns an airport, I can say this about their decision: It’s short-sighted.

As an individual involved in economic development of a region, I can say this: It’s based on ignorance with a hint of malice.

And as an aviation enthusiast who has spent untold thousands of dollars in conjunction with my affection for aviation: It’s idiotic on an industrial scale.

COUNTY BUDGET A FACTOR – Five jobs are on the line at the Arcata-Eureka Airport, including the employee who’s been working to secure a second airline for ACV. Humboldt County Public Works proposed the layoffs to the board of supervisors. “The airport has a severe funding revenue problem,” said Public Works Director Tom Mattson. “Without a new airline this year we’re going to have to tighten our belt.”     

Mattson has proposed the cuts be made as 2 Airport Service Workers, a groundskeeper, a building maintenance custodian, and from airport management Program Coordinator Emily Jacobs.     

Burbank AirportFor those living near Bob Hope and Van Nuys airports, jet noise is a way of life. But it’s the noise at night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. that is prompting lawmakers to propose a mandatory curfew. “When you’re standing in your home or you’re standing outside or you’re trying to carry on a conversation or you’re trying to get some sleep, and you hear just how loud those flights are, and how much it makes your house shake, you’ll get a much better appreciation for what we’re talking about,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).

San Francisco’s airport plans to spend $4.1 billion over the next decade to fund a major upgrade to its facilities. The expenditures will lead to the creation of more than 36,000 jobs, according to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, who announced the figures today.

The San Francisco International Airport Commission will vote on the budget at its meeting on Tuesday. The main source of money for these capital projects will be general revenue bonds.

“SFO’s 10-year capital improvement plan ensures that our airport can achieve its goal to create a world-class facility, and continue to be a vital source of job creation in the Bay Area,” said Lee. “SFO is an engine which helps power our local economies, bring tourism and jobs to the entire region and this investment in our infrastructure keeps that engine running strong.”

Join us May 10th and 11th for a good old-fashioned airport celebration at Oceano Airport.

Friday night May 10th: Beach Burger Fry and Dance featuring the San Luis Jazz Band.

Tickets for the dinner/dance are $10 and available from any FOA volunteer or at the gate. Enjoy a burger, hayrides, strolling under the stars on the ramp and a great time shaking your groove thing.

Saturday, May 11th is Celebration Day and begins at 8:30 with the 5-Cities Lion’s Club famous pancake breakfast.

Family friendly, free admission.