Carmel Valley airport closed
After many years of operation as a nonconforming land use under the Monterey County general plan, the Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield has been closed. The future of the privately owned public-use airport has been hotly debated for many years, but the struggle to save the field ended on May 30. As of that date, the owners closed the airport and surrendered their operating permit. AOPA had protested Monterey County's efforts last year to phase the airport out through a local ordinance. Because the airport was privately owned, there were no federal grant obligations to invoke in the fight to keep it open.
State airport grants could disappear under budget cuts
A plan to cut approximately 80 percent from the California Division of Aeronautics' operating budget could virtually eliminate the state's airport grant program. The California Department of Finance has proposed transferring $6 million from the aeronautics budget to the general fund for fiscal year 2002-2003. The proposal is part of a larger plan to reduce the state's $24 billion budget deficit. The money that would be transferred to the general fund comes from taxes on general aviation fuel. AOPA and other aviation groups are protesting the proposed transfer.
Aeronautics division, airports association hold joint conference
For the first time, the Association of California Airports and the California Division of Aeronautics recently held a jointly sponsored conference in Sacramento. More than 100 people attended the late-May event, which featured updates on California and FAA airport programs and panel discussions. Among the issues discussed were airport revenue development and possible general aviation airport security measures. Nelson Rhodes, AOPA regional representative for Florida, gave a presentation about airport support organizations in his home state. Many presentation attendees were surprised to learn that the Florida state aeronautics budget is approximately $88 million compared to the $8 million California budget.
Plans to sell airport land put on hold
Plans to sell a section of property belonging to Benton Field in Redding have been temporarily halted, thanks to objections from AOPA and the California Division of Aeronautics. A developer had planned to purchase the land for the construction of a medical arts facility. But Airport Support Network volunteer Ginne Mistal got word of the plans and notified AOPA, which learned that the city was about to enter an agreement with the developer. AOPA California Regional Representative John Pfeifer says that such a sale would have been harmful to the airport, since it's likely that the property will be set aside for future use for general aviation facilities. Any land sale has been put on hold for at least six months while an FAA-funded master plan study for the airport proceeds.
Weapons intended for airport security seized
Two shotguns and two semi-automatic weapons were recently seized from the office of the Dunsmuir city manager, according to the Redding Record Searchlight newspaper. City council members have said that the manager had been authorized to acquire the weapons for use in providing security at the Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport. The decision to purchase such weapons for airport security has raised concerns among general aviation supporters, particularly in light of the fact that no federal guidelines have been issued for providing security at general aviation airports and no industry-wide consensus has been reached on the subject.
The Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport has been closed to all aircraft operations since December 2001 because of tall trees obstructing the runway approach and departure areas. Despite concerted efforts by local pilots to have these trees removed, the airport remains under the state closure order.
Supervisors raise concerns over plan to race autos at airport
Two members of the Yuba County Board of Supervisors say they will ask for input from the FAA before taking the next step in a proposal that would have automobiles racing down the runways at Yuba County Airport in Marysville. The supervisors reportedly want to get formal input from the FAA before proceeding with a feasibility study expected to cost $15,000. The proposal, which originated with a third county supervisor, Bill Simmons, would include an annual racing event and the creation of a motor-sport advanced driver training and testing facility. The new development would likely lead to permanent closure of the field's crosswind runway.
Potential damage to the usefulness of the airport is not the only issue that has some supervisors concerned. Al Amaro, who with Jane Griego voted to take the plan to the FAA, told the Appeal Democrat newspaper that he was reluctant to take up industrial-zoned property for sporting use when the county recently zoned almost 900 acres of land for the creation of the proposed Motorplex at Yuba County raceway, a Nascar-style racetrack. Developers of the Motorplex track have said they will vigorously oppose the airport raceway project.
Weaverville ASN launches campaign to support new airport
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer George Loegering is spearheading efforts to build community support for a proposed new airport in Weaverville. The existing Lonnie Pool Field/Weaverville Airport has been the site of a number of serious accidents, in large part because of a significant runway grade (3.5 percent) and steeply rising terrain to the north of the field. Because of these features, the airport also is closed to night operations. A site with 22 acres of level land has been selected for a replacement field, but some pilots are reluctant to give up the existing airport, which is located within walking distance of downtown. Advocates of replacing the field warn that the inherent problems with terrain at the existing airport may ultimately close the field with or without a replacement. They are urging residents to support the building of the new airport, which would have a positive impact on economic activity during construction and beyond. The new airport is expected to cost $21 million to build. The money would come largely from state and federal sources.
Proposed nighttime ban questioned by AOPA
In attempt to enact an overnight curfew at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport has raised concerns for AOPA. The proposal is part of an ongoing FAA noise study by the local airport authority. Such studies typically are used to implement noise procedures for older jets or large airliners. However, this proposal would ban all operations between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., marking the first time the process has been applied to all aircraft. "The bottom line is, we must oppose this curfew because no aircraft including general aviation, would be able to land at night unless they declared an emergency," said Anne Esposito, AOPA's vice president for airports.
AOPA is encouraging members who use the airport to comment on the financial impact of this proposal on their operations.
AOPA Expo in California
AOPA Expo 2002 takes place October 24 through 26 in Palm Springs. Visitors can get a preview of the excitement on Wednesday, October 23, when more than 80 aircraft taxi through the streets of Palm Springs. More than 500 exhibitors are expected to demonstrate the newest equipment and aircraft available. For information, visit the AOPA Expo 2002 Web site ( www.aopa.org/expo/).
Upcoming aviation events in California
AUGUST
3 — Chino. Chino Airport (CNO). The Air Museum Planes of Fame. Seminar featuring crews who fought in World War II Torpedo and dive-bombing aircraft. Call 909/597-3722 for information.
17 — Auburn. Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN). Thunder in the Sky 2002 Airshow. Hosted by the Auburn Aviation Association and the City of Auburn. Call Evan Wolfe, 530/885-4700, for more information.
SEPTEMBER
7 — Chino. Chino Airport (CNO). The Air Museum Planes of Fame. Seminar on the Korean Air War. Call 909/597-3722 for information.
19, 21 — San Diego. Doubletree Hotel-Mission Valley. Powder Puff Derby Reunion and Silver Wings Fraternity Annual Convention. Call Barbara Evans, 925/736-1795, to learn more.
21, 22 — Riverside. Flabob Airport (RIR). EAA Chapter One's 49th Annual Open House Fly-In. Call Dave Stits, 909/682-6236, for more information.
21, 22 — Visalia. Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS). Vintage Years Air and Car Show. Call 559/696-7735 for more information.
27, 29 — Victorville. El Mirage Dry Lake. Ken Brock Freedom Fly-In. West Coast Rotorcraft Fly-In. Call Marie Brock, 714/898-4366.
28 — Corona. Corona Municipal Airport (AJO). Corona Airfaire 2002. Call Bill Cobb at 909/736-2289 for more information.
Major airshows and events are published in AOPA Pilot. Calendar is updated weekly on the Web ( www.aopa.org/pilot/calendar.html). Weekend flying destinations are posted each Friday in AOPA ePilot.
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