California Airports

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.”

A judge has rejected the Inland Valley Development Agency’s contention that its work redeveloping the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino into a logistics hub and commercial airport made it exempt from a law that dissolved redevelopment agencies statewide.

Judge Lloyd G. Connelly dismissed the IVDA’s lawsuit, siding with the state of California and related agencies that were named as defendants, according to a court order filed Sept. 5.
The IVDA, as well as the Victor Valley Economic Development Authority that has been redeveloping the former George Air Force Base, filed suits earlier this year seeking exemptions from ABx1-26, the Assembly bill that did away with redevelopment agencies. The judge threw out both agencies’ claims.

Both likely will appeal the decision, according to leaders with the agencies.

County approves Ontario airport joint powers plan

The new restaurant is going gangbusters without so much as announcing its opening.

More Recommendations for Reducing Santa Monica Airport’s Impact (the insanity continues in Santa Moncia)….

Backcountry airstrips are being lost at an alarming rate! The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, maintains, and creates public use recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide.

Testing shows Truckee airport fuel in Aug. 2 fatal plane crash met international regulations

Everybody loves a bargain. I know I do. Heck, I may be the cheapest guy you’ll ever meet. But there is a cost associated with saving a dollar or two – and the general aviation crowd may not notice how dear that cost can be until it’s too late.

The Pacific Coast Air Museum welcomes Navy, Marine and Air Force front line fighter jets to its airshow line-up of performers. The Wings Over Wine Country Air Show will be held at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, Calif., Aug. 18-19.

By 2014, the runway now frequented by fighter jets and massive C-17 military cargo planes at March Air Reserve Base near Riverside could be a more attractive destination for small, private aircraft.