California Airports

MOJAVE, Calif. — The sign into town, slightly weathered, says “Gateway to Space!” (Location of our 2012 Annual Meeting October 20th)

Burbank Bob Hope Airport’s role in regional transportation was prominently featured at the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments Mobility Summit on October 22. Supervisor Mike Antonovich highlighted the importance of building a new Airport Metrolink station on the Antelope Valley Line at Hollywood Way and San Fernando Road, and Glendale Mayor and Airport Commissioner…

(Oct 2012) – Monterey, Calif.– Monterey Regional Airport officials said Wednesday a Monterey County Superior Court judge upheld most of the District’s Runway Safety Area project, which was hanging in the balance to comply with a federally-mandated upgrade.

The Hollister Airport has been awarded 2.5 million dollars from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to upgrade its runway. The federal funding will allow for the removal of safety hazards. The runway channels were originally constructed in 1942, by the United States Navy and are in dire need of repairs and will be brought up to FAA safety standards. The project will establish a subterranean drainage system on both shoulders of the runway which will increase the safety for all users of Hollister Municipal Airport.

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — The owner of a small historic airport in Sonoma County is battling with a neighbor over what he can build next door and whether it puts pilots, and the public, at risk. The Sonoma Valley Airport is located off Highway 121 in an area surrounded by vineyards.

The Watsonville City Council met on Tuesday evening September 25th to adopt the updated General Plan 2030, and the associated recirculated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The Watsonville Pilots Association (WPA), the Friends of Buena Vista, and local Sierra Club sued the city after the May 2006 meeting where the council approved the General Plan 2030 despite major opposition.

The issue was over development and encroachment of Watsonville Airport requiring closure of runway 8-26. Not to mention the urban sprawl with the associated environmental problems it would have created.

Members of the General Aviation Community – Those of us who enjoy flying generally hate doing paperwork. Getting us to write a letter is even tougher unless the cause is either so dire that it would impact us all or it hits so close to home that we are compelled to take action.  I accept this as fact, but after over 14 years of being involved in GA issues at San Jose International and seeing the general aviation community heavily impacted by issues such as 18 years of no new city tenants, non-competitive pricing for parking and fuel, and other issues too numerous to mention, the San Jose City Council has crossed a line.

As the debate continues about whether Santa Monica Airport (SMO) should be shut down or continue operating as is, one thing is for certain: what happens in thenext 30 months will determine whether or not City Hall may potentially be engaged in a litigious battle with the federal government.

Future Construction Will Be Affected by Pending Land Use Compatibility Plan.

County officials will draw new lines around the airport in upcoming months, as the Santa Barbara Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) is due for a major overhaul.

The ALUCP regulates how vacant land around the airport can be developed, making sure all structures are appropriately built to accommodate for the safety of both planes and people. While existing structures will not be affected, business owners and residents in certain zones looking to add to their properties will need to verify that their projects don’t violate the new ALUCP.

The City Council last week approved a quarter-million dollar refurbishment of the taxiway areas of the Gustine Municipal Airport, one piece in an ongoing effort to upgrade airfield operations.

The Airport Commission, council and staff are taking a comprehensive look at the airfield to identify projects and priorities, said City Manager Greg Greeson and Assistant City Manager Sean Scully.

The taxiway project was identified as a priority by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is funding 90 percent of the cost.

“It is one of the things that FAA had identified that they wanted to see us improve on,” Greeson explained. “As they look at airports, that is one of the areas that is important to them.”