Long Beach users fight residential element of development plan
Airport users believe a proposed Boeing Realty development on Long Beach/ Daugherty Field Airport could benefit the community if a residential element of up to 3,800 housing units is eliminated. Candace Robinson, the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for the field, says the high-tech, light-industrial, retail, and hotel elements of the proposed PacifiCenter could prove to be compatible neighbors for the airport. But the airport already has to deal with noise complaints, and the addition of so many homes under the approach path would only add to those problems.
An environmental impact report on the project was scheduled for release in late February. In the meantime, the Long Beach Airport Association was pushing the city to exercise its first right of refusal on a portion of the property slated for development. The group hoped that the city would buy the land and add it to the airport. AOPA has written to the city of Long Beach expressing a number of concerns about the proposed development.
Airport users fight for Oceanside
Pilots and business owners are fighting to keep Oceanside Municipal Airport open despite the city's repeated attempts to restrict operations at the field.
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Arthur Sternberg reports that the Oceanside Airport Association recently incorporated and is forming a political action committee to fight city officials who want to close the airport. The group has held meetings with the mayor and several city council members.
In recent months, the City of Oceanside has attempted to restrict airport operations in a variety of ways, including forbidding touch and goes during certain hours of the day. AOPA, working with local pilots, was able to overturn these restrictions. Recently though, the city has opted not to renew the lease of the field's only FBO and flight school. Noise complaints and the desire to redevelop the property have been cited as the reasons behind the struggle over the airport's future. AOPA continues to work with the ASN volunteer to ensure the airport's health.
Informal summit focuses on GA security
Organizations representing a variety of aviation interests across the state recently met for an informal summit on general aviation security, which included discussion of possible future regulation, funding sources, and action to be taken by aviation organizations.
Representatives of AOPA, the California Division of Aeronautics, the Association of California Airports, the California Pilots Association, the Regional Council of Rural Counties, and the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives participated in the January 22 meeting. The groups agreed that individual states should not mandate GA security measures, and AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer made it clear that AOPA would strongly oppose any attempts to develop state security measures.
Participants also agreed to continue to support security recommendations developed by the Technical Advisory Committee on Aeronautics and recently adopted by the California Transportation Commission. Those recommendations include providing state funding to supplement emergency federal funding for security equipment at California's smaller airports. The next step for summit participants will be to draft legislation and enlist sponsors for a bill to provide the funding. In the meantime, AOPA, working with other industry groups, has submitted a number of proposals to government that would enhance general aviation security.
Tiedown, hangar rates scrutinized at Van Nuys
Owners of small piston aircraft could receive some relief from high hangar and tiedown rates at Van Nuys Airport. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Elliot Sanders will provide guidance about new leasing directives to the Citizens Advisory Council. Those directives would recognize the value of small piston-powered aircraft to the community by ensuring space for such aircraft and reducing hangar and tiedown rates. Currently, tiedown rates are as high as $160 per month, and some lightplane owners have been forced to move their aircraft to make room for corporate aircraft on the field.
Negotiations continue after Dunsmuir closure
Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport remains closed, but county supervisors, city officials, neighboring property owners, the U.S. Forest Service, and pilots are working together to reopen the field and prevent future closures.
The airport was closed after an extended battle over dangerously tall trees in the vicinity. Those trees still have not been cut, but Airport Support Network volunteer Ken Pool says that key players are negotiating the value of an easement that would allow the city to cut the trees. If the parties cannot reach agreement, they will be forced into mediation by the county supervisors. No deadline for a resolution has been set. AOPA is working with the city attorney of Dunsmuir and the Siskiyou County prosecuting attorney's office to expedite a resolution and reopen the airport.
To prevent such problems in the future, a county ordinance regarding obstructions around the airport was being rewritten. A vote on the new language was expected at the next County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Fallbrook declining, but pilots hopeful
Conditions at Fallbrook Community Airpark continue to deteriorate, but pilots are hopeful that fuel sales could resume by summer, according to Airport Support Network volunteer Richard Steere. The airport, which is owned by San Diego County, has seen little in the way of improvements and maintenance in 30 years, and the county has refused to spend its resources on the field. But with threats of litigation looming, the county has recently announced that it will make needed repairs to the runway and fire protection water system, most likely with federal Airport Improvement Program funds.
Those repairs could open the way for a new FBO, which has held a lease on property at the airport since May 2000, to begin construction on more than $1.5 million worth of new facilities. Work on an interim upgrade to the fire system was slated to begin in March. If that project is completed on schedule, fuel sales at the airport could resume this summer. No fuel has been available at the field for more than a year.
Voluntary night restrictions for Livermore
Pilots at Livermore Municipal Airport are being asked not to operate their aircraft between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. as part of a voluntary restriction policy.
The Livermore Airport Advisory Commission adopted the policy January 14, citing an increasing number of noise complaints from airport neighbors. The majority of the complaints stem from late-night and early morning takeoffs, especially by Lear 20 series aircraft, the commission said.
The panel acknowledged that the FAA is unlikely to approve a more formal curfew and expressed hope that the voluntary program would reduce complaints, making stricter measures unnecessary.
Rural counties learn value of airports
AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer and Austin Wiswell, head of the California Division of Aeronautics, recently briefed the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) on the importance and value of rural airports.
RCRC members, who represent 28 of the state's least populated counties, had expressed interest in learning more about airport funding programs. The counties are home to more than 50 public-use airports.
During the presentation, Pfeifer emphasized the need for compatible land use around airports. Pfeifer and Wiswell also provided information about state and federal financial assistance programs and gave RCRC members contact points to help them gather additional information.
Santa Clara looks to Camarillo as model
Pilots at South County Airport of Santa Clara are trying to find a way for ultralights and more traditional aircraft to share the airport safely.
Camarillo Airport is one possible model. At that field, ultralight operators have leased airport property and developed a separate runway and taxiway for their use.
Airport Support Network volunteer Donald Murphy reports that no decision has been made on whether to allow ultralights to operate at South County because questions remain about runway, taxiway, pattern, and equipment requirements for ultralights.
