Lobbyists work to speed El Toro conversion
The fate of Orange County's El Toro Marine Corps Air Station may depend on swift action. Proponents of plans to convert the former military base to use as a civilian airport suffered a setback recently when Orange County voters approved Measure F. The ballot measure required that two-thirds of voters approve the creation of any landfills, jails, or commercial airfields in the county.
But soon after the vote, a judge overturned the measure, saying that it was unconstitutional. That decision breathed new life into efforts to convert El Toro into a commercial airport.
Now, the Department of Defense has set February 2002 as the probable date to turn the base over to Orange County. The county is making every effort to accelerate the turnover process, and the Board of Supervisors voted recently to spend $1.6 million on several Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firms to try to accelerate the transfer. Under the terms of the agreement with the county, the lobbyists will receive a substantial bonus if the base is in the County's hands by the end of this year.
Conference to address land use planning
A two-day conference planned for this month is expected to focus on troublesome land use planning issues for property near airports. Jack Kemmerly, AOPA's regional representative for California, has been working with members of the Association of California Airports to plan the conference. The forum, to be held in Sacramento, is expected to include members of the County Supervisors Association of California, the California League of Cities, and a variety of county airport land use planning commissions from throughout the state.
The goal is to address land-use planning issues and educate local government officials about the importance of airports to California communities. Kemmerly and others hope to persuade local officials to support AOPA's legislative initiative to address funding for airport land use planning and airport capital improvements.
ASN volunteer works to save Hesperia
The owner of Hesperia Airport may return the airport permit to the State of California, effectively closing the field. But aviation supporters are getting organized for an effort to save the airport.
According to AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Mack Collings, a letter has been sent to all airport property owners detailing the proposal to close the airport and outlining a possible course of action. The letter explains that one solution could be for airport property owners to purchase the airport, or at least the runway, and create a special district to operate it. A similar plan was effective at nearby Yucca Valley Airport. In that case, the airport property owners formed a corporation to purchase the airport.
Airport supporters are anxious to take action because it would be extremely difficult to reinstate the airport permit or obtain a new one in the event that the permit is returned to the state. While litigation designed to prevent closure of the airport also is an option, it comes with a high price. If such a lawsuit were to fail, airport supporters could be held liable for litigation-related costs to all parties.
Aviation measures move through legislature
With the last day to introduce legislation for the 2001 session past, a variety of bills that could affect general aviation have begun moving through the legislature.
Senate Bill 869 would require Caltrans Aeronautics to conduct a needs assessment study on airports. That study would include an inventory of airports, a look at traffic capacity, projected airport growth, planned airport expansions, and an evaluation of infrastructure to support airports.
While many observers believe that the bill could prove valuable to aviation throughout the state, the measure currently does not provide funding to conduct the study. As a result, money for the study is likely to come from Caltrans Aeronautics and could reduce funding available for improvements at general aviation airports.
A second measure of interest to aviation enthusiasts (S.B.1053) would require the Department of Education to establish a grant program so that schools can commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight. The grant money would allow schools to purchase resources and plan field trips to educate students about aviation history and the science of flight. If the measure passes, schools could receive money beginning in January 2002. The bill, which would help heighten public awareness of the benefits of aviation and introduce young people to the field, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules but has not yet been assigned to a policy committee.
Finally, a measure that some fear could ultimately harm GA has been sent to the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee. Assembly Bill 243 would provide an exemption to the two-cent-per-gallon excise tax imposed on the sale of jet fuel at airports located in enterprise zones. The bill would affect only general aviation users of jet fuel, because air carriers, the military, and aircraft manufacturers already are exempt from the tax.
While experts say it is difficult to determine the financial impact the measure would have, they add that any loss of revenue to the Caltrans Aeronautics Fund could be detrimental. The excise tax raises slightly less than $2 million per year. Because that money is dedicated to Caltrans Aeronautics, it is earmarked for airport assistance programs.
Apple Valley Airport reaches out to community
With the help of AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer John Heerington, pilots at Apple Valley Airport are reaching out to the broader community. The airport recently sponsored a booth at the Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
Chamber of Commerce members participated in a drawing for free airplane rides to be conducted by members of the local pilots association. In addition, members of the general public could enter a separate drawing for free introductory flights. Those flights will be sponsored by Midfield Aviation and Flight Line Aviation.
In addition to giving away airplane rides, aviation supporters handed out information, including a pamphlet answering frequently asked questions about aviation such as how much it costs to learn to fly. The booth was staffed by members of The Ninety-Nines, the High Desert Pilots Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Heerington branded the event a success, saying that the effort helped pilots make many new contacts and spread the word about the airport and how it serves the community. In addition, many of the participants are now working to host an air fair sometime this spring.
Imperial County to host open house
Pilots and nonpilots alike are invited to an open house planned for the Imperial County Airport. Airport Support Network volunteer Chris Vangelos is working with the City of Imperial to arrange the open house, including a possible Saturday barbecue. Vangelos hopes the get-together will help get pilots more involved in the airport and get nonpilots interested in aviation and the role of the airport in the community.
New environmental study planned for Burbank
The Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport Authority is planning to launch an environmental impact report on a possible site for a new terminal at the airport. The group had hoped to build the new terminal on property formerly used by Lockheed, but opposition from the City of Burbank has made that seem unlikely. In the meantime, the airport authority has decided to move forward with an environmental study on an alternate site. A number of airport businesses, including some flight schools, have expressed opposition to this new site as they would be forced to relocate or close their doors entirely. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Ken Stickney is actively engaged and working with local pilots and businesses as well as AOPA Regional Affairs staff.
For information on Tehachapi Municipal Airport, see this month's " California Flying."
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