Watsonville air show grounded after 50 years

CalPilots

WATSONVILLE — A 50-year-old air show will be grounded this year, with no aerobatics and no performances, after the nonprofit Watsonville Fly-In and Air Show decided to hand over the reins to the city.

Hank Wempe, the fly-in and air show’s board president, said declining attendance and corporate sponsorships forced board members to donate funds out of their own pockets to keep the event going the past few years.

The board was tired of just scraping by, Wempe said.

“What we need is movers and shakers and we didn’t have them on our board,” Wempe said.

Now the Watsonville Municipal Airport, which is owned by the city of Watsonville, will run the show.

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Are Unreasonable Policies Killing Airports?

CalPilots

watsonvilleOn August 13, 2014 the dedication of the rebuilt taxiway at Watsonville Municipal Airport was heralded by a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ribbon cutting was done by Don French, previous Airport Manager.

The rebuilt and repaved taxiway is located west of the north south runway and goes to and from the approach end of runway 9. The finished project culminated 10 years of frustrating delays and red tape caused by the California Fish and Game Department and US Fish and Wildlife Service. (CalPilots Editor’s Note: We have been questioning the role of these government ‘environmental’ agencies for years. They have been over stepping theie role and causing major issues for the very user base they are supposed to serve).

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Watsonville. CA – Record for Most Aircraft on a Runway Sought

CalPilots

WVI Airshow LogoThe Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show is partnering with the Watsonville Municipal Airport’s annual Open House event.

In addition to KWVI’s annual event, which in includes the Monterey Bay Ninety-Nine’s “Dime-a-pound-Rides”, Historical Aircraft Displays, First Responders, EAA Hot-dog booth, Bounce houses and cheapest fuel within 50 miles…..there will be an attempt to break the record for most aircraft on a runway for a photograph at Watsonville.

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Out of This World Family Night at Props Restaurant

CalPilots

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Have you ever gazed through a telescope to see a Moon crater up close? Now is your chance! On Friday, Oct.11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Props Restaurant and Lounge at Watsonville Airport (WVI) is hosting Orion Telescopes & Binoculars for a Moon Viewing Party. This family event is geared towards…

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Props Restaurant at WVI launches new menu

CalPilots

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Just shy of its one-year anniversary Props Restaurant and Lounge at the Watsonville Municipal Airport is offering a new menu with healthier choices. Pilots, passengers and patrons alike can now choose Prop’s cole slaw instead of fries as an option with their burgers noted with airports codes. The Salmon Bagel Burger (MRY)…

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Watsonville – Section of General Plan Still Unsafe

CalPilots

watsonvilleOn Jan. 22, the Watsonville City Council, as expected, approved the General Plan 2030 Update by a 6 to 1 vote. On May 23, 2006, the Council approved the General Plan by a 6 to 1 vote. The no vote each time was the councilperson from District 7. In the last dissenting vote, Councilwoman Nancy Bilicich wanted more plan deficiencies fixed to reduce chances of another lawsuit. The courts found the old plan inadequate in environment planning and not compliant with state aeronautic laws.

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Watsonville Airport Runway 8/26 Closure

CalPilots

watsonvilleBe advised that Runway 8/26 will be closed effective 0800 on January 30, 2013 and will reopen at 0800 on February 1, 2013. A NOTAM will be issued communicating this closure.

As you may know from time to time we review the effect of changes in magnetic declination on runway number identification at KWVI. Last year we determined the existing magnetic bearing of Runway 8-26 must to be changed to 9-27. (FYI the magnetic bearing of Runway 2-20, last changed in late 1980s, and does not require change.) During this closure the Crosswind Runway numbers 8-26 will be removed and remarked desginating the Runway as 9-27.

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Watsonville Council Postpones Adoption of General Plan Update

CalPilots

watsonvilleThe 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.

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