Retail plans for Hawthorne advance
A proposal to develop approximately 103 acres of land directly off the eastern end of Runway 25 at Hawthorne Municipal Airport is moving forward. Caltrans Aeronautics has received a notice of preparation of a draft environmental report for the project known as the International Commerce Center. The development would make use of the former Northrup Grumman site to house a mix of industrial, commercial, and retail space. The proposed development includes a 15.7-acre retail area that would be located entirely within the runway protection zone. Airport Support Network volunteer Gary Parsons has been carefully monitoring the situation and keeping AOPA informed.
The other end of the runway has been identified as a potential site for a separate development—this one the site of two schools. The site, which is now home to the closed Hawthorne Mall, is in the spot where aircraft departing Runway 25 make their crosswind turn—typically with 500 to 700 feet of altitude. The site has yet to be approved by Caltrans Aeronautics.
As the City of Hawthorne, the Los Angeles Airport Land Use Commission, Caltrans Aeronautics, and the FAA consider the proposed developments, they may find themselves in a Catch-22. Caltrans Aeronautics has already recommended against building the schools so close to the airport, and a decision against the proposed International Commerce Center could feed a growing antiairport movement. Some residents have suggested that the airport should be closed because schools and other development are more important to the city, which has little remaining space for new development. AOPA is opposing this commercial encroachment on the airport, as well as plans to locate a school within two miles of the airport.
Million air working to correct fuel contamination at Van Nuys
Van Nuys Airport was the site of a recent fuel-contamination scare after a rust-colored metallic substance was found in fuel sold by Million Air. The fuel, which was purchased from the distributor Phillips and processed by Texaco, was tested and found to meet acceptable levels of particulate matter for avgas. The FAA visited the FBO to follow up on the problem and reported that steps were being taken to resolve associated issues. Million Air is refiltering the fuel that was in the fuel truck involved in the incident and thoroughly cleaning the truck’s tank. Meanwhile, Van Nuys Flight Center has taken airplanes refueled with the contaminated fuel off the line and is examining the fuel-injection systems. Mechanics have found clogged fuel injectors in some of the aircraft inspected and are determining what action to take to resolve the problem.
Bills opposed by AOPA are dead
Three bills that were opposed by AOPA failed to pass out of the California State Assembly by the required deadline and are now dead. A.B.275, which would have competed with an AOPA proposal to redirect the state sales tax on jet fuel from the state general fund to the aeronautics account, was among the defeated proposals. The other two measures were designed to ensure that the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station is not converted to a civil airport. A.B.1248 would have prohibited Orange County from issuing bonds for the operation of an airport on the site without voter approval, and A.B.1479 would have established an El Toro Development Authority composed of members likely to oppose the establishment of a civil airport on the site.
Land use planning on agenda for Sacramento
The Sacramento Area Airport Managers Group has added airport land use planning to the agenda for its upcoming schedule of meetings. The group will be discussing the status of the proposed update to Caltrans Aeronautics’ Airport Land Use Planning Handbook. Under existing state law, the handbook must be used as a resource document in the preparation of all airport land use plans created by airport land use commissions. The handbook is also used by local agencies when they review projects proposed for the vicinity of an airport. Caltrans Aeronautics is in the process of revising and updating the handbook.
Fuel contamination at Chico
Airport officials at Chico Municipal Airport are working to resolve the concerns of aircraft owners affected by recent fuel-contamination problems. The fuel supplier has resolved most of the concerns of the larger aircraft affected, but work is still under way to resolve problems affecting many single-engine airplanes. Airport Manager Bob Grierson is working aggressively to ensure that issues relating to the fuel contamination are resolved promptly for all affected aircraft owners. The issue came up at a recent meeting of the Northern California Airport Managers Working Group. Other issues considered at the meeting include the North Regional Interregional California Aviation System Plan. The project is now in its second phase, which will include development of policy and an action plan. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for early this month at Red Bluff Municipal Airport.
FAA review of SFO airspace changes continues
The FAA is continuing its review of proposed amendments to the Class B airspace for San Francisco International Airport. At a recent meeting of the Northern California Airspace Users Working Group, the FAA briefed airport officials on the process for implementing the proposed changes to the airspace. The agency’s review of the changes is expected to be completed in time for the September 7 publication date of the airport’s terminal area chart. The FAA has said that it expects VFR flyways to appear on the new chart. The Northern California Airspace Users Working Group is next scheduled to meet this month at Moffett Federal Airfield. That meeting will include a tour of the computer-simulated control tower test facility at the site.
More encroachment issues for Oxnard
Oxnard Airport is under fire again by those opposed to the airport and the restrictions it forces on surrounding developments. A proposal to build a Boys and Girls Club near the airport is stirring the emotions of local residents and city officials. Residents are anxious to see plans for the club move forward, despite some concerns over safety and noise. Airport authority members have determined that the proposed site for the club, which is in the flight path for Oxnard Airport, is not unduly dangerous, but state officials may feel differently. Meanwhile, some antiairport factions are claiming that the airport is the source of too many restrictions on the city’s activities. AOPA is reviewing the proposed location for the project and insisting that the plan be submitted to the Airport Land Use Commission for review.
Association of California airports adops constitution
The Association of California Airports has adopted a constitution and bylaws for governing the group. According to its constitution, the purpose of the new association is to provide a forum for representing California’s public and private airports and for others seeking to promote and assist in the development of air transportation in the state. The group plans to take a proactive approach, addressing airport and aviation policy issues and legislation within California. Members of the new organization will include a diverse group of airport professionals, aviation-related businesses, and individuals interested in promoting aviation throughout the state. Jack Kemmerly, AOPA’s regional representative for California, was elected to the board of directors of the new group.
Delano Municipal reports good year
While many airports around California are fighting battles over noise, incompatible development, and antiairport sentiment, all is well at Delano Municipal. Last year included record fuel sales for the airport, and there are plans to build a new FBO hangar this spring as part of an effort to attract more business to the airport. Meanwhile, the city is considering expanding the existing golf course located at the northern end of the field. The expansion would include the use of some airport property. Local pilots have been asked for their input on the proposed golf course expansion.
Opposition to aerobatics at Borrego Springs
Some residents of housing developments near Borrego Valley Airport in Borrego Springs are opposing continued aerobatic operations at the airport. Bill Horn, San Diego County’s Fifth District supervisor, has asked the FAA to refuse to renew the waiver permitting aerobatic operations at the airport. Alternatives to closing the airport’s aerobatic box are being considered. Among these is a plan to move the box to the far eastern edge of the airport property, which would put it one mile farther from the Roadrunner Mobile Home Park. Other options include performing noise tests to determine the degree of the noise problem and moving the box to the east of Highway S-22, which would place the aerobatic activity over the Peg Leg Smith Camping Area. No time line has been set for determining the future of aerobatic operations at Borrego Valley.
Road through ILS proposed at Madera
The Airport Advisory Committee for Madera Municipal Airport is reviewing a proposal to allow the extension of a roadway through the proposed ILS lighting system for the airport. Although the road is currently more than five miles from the airport, plans call for its future extension to the north across the Fresno River, through a planned residential development, and then through the ILS lighting system. The Airport Advisory Committee is expected to reject the proposal as significantly affecting safe airport operations during low-visibility landings.
