End of long closure in sight for Dunsmuir
Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport could reopen now that funding to cut trees, purchase easements, resurface portions of the airport, and perform other maintenance has been approved. In all about $197,000 will be used to get the airport back in business.
Dunsmuir has been closed since December 2001 because of hazards posed by tall trees obstructing the runway approach and departure areas. In a meeting this past summer, AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn urged Austin Wiswell, chief of the California Division of Aeronautics, to speedily reopen the field. A battle between property owners, pilots, and various government agencies over cutting the trees had prevented the issue from being resolved until now.
State aviation economic impact study draft expected this month
A draft report of the California Aviation Economic Impact Study is expected this month. The study, sponsored by the state Division of Aeronautics, was started early in the year with the goal of defining the direct and indirect economic impacts of airports, the aviation industry, and the commercial space industry on the local and statewide economy of California.
The report is expected to include results of research on existing economic impact studies, results of a statewide survey of airport managers, and detailed case studies of a few airports. Members of the advisory committee for the study, which includes AOPA's California Regional Representative John Pfeifer, say the final document must be one that local airports can use to develop support in their communities.
The study is being conducted by Economic Research Associates, a San Francisco-based consulting firm.
Santa Barbara ASN volunteer wins award
Gordon Feingold, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, has won the 2002 Laurence P. Sharples Award recognizing the year's greatest selfless commitment to general aviation by a private citizen. For more information about the award, see " Journalists, Lawmakers, Volunteers Honored at AOPA Expo," page 22.
Funds transfer occurs over AOPA's objections
Despite the strident objections of AOPA and other aviation organizations, $6 million has been transferred from the state's aeronautics account into its general fund. The transfer of the funds all but eliminates the state Division of Aeronautics' airport capital improvement grant program for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Fortunately, the division's local matching share grant program and loan program will not be affected.
Division of Aeronautics educates pilots, planners
Pilots, airport managers and planners, and anyone interested in protecting general aviation airports can learn more about land use issues from a series of workshops being offered by the California Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics.
The first of the workshops was held in Sacramento in September and as many as nine others will be scheduled for locations throughout the state. Topics of discussion include state and local jurisdiction over land use decisions, the powers and duties of airport land use commissions, the updated Airport Land Use Planning Handbook, assessment of land use compatibility near airports, legal issues, and case studies.
John Pfeifer, AOPA's California regional representative, was among some 50 airport professionals and local officials to attend the first workshop. Pfeifer said he would recommend future workshops to anyone interested in airport land use compatibility and airport protection.
Van Nuys hosts open house
Pilots, airport officials, and aviation groups banded together to host a daylong Community Open House on October 19 in an effort to build public support and understanding of Van Nuys Airport. The event was expected to feature a variety of general aviation aircraft displays. AOPA has been working with pilot groups and others at the airport to ensure that light general aviation aircraft, particularly piston aircraft, continue to have a place at the popular San Fernando Valley field.
FAA investigates Santa Monica conformance program
The FAA has launched an investigation into Santa Monica Municipal Airport's Aircraft Conformance Program after AOPA advised the mayor and City Council that they do not have the authority to restrict access to the airport. The investigation could be the first step in finding the airport in violation of its federal grant obligations.
The conformance program would limit access to aircraft based on approach speed and set up severe civil and criminal penalties for violators. The city has denied accusations that the program is really aimed at regulating noise by reducing jet traffic, saying that limiting approach speeds is a safety issue.
In an August letter to city officials AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn noted that only the FAA has the power to restrict airport access. Since that time David Bennett, the FAA's director of Airport Safety and Standards, has advised Airport Manager Robert Trimborn that the FAA is investigating the legality of the program. Bennett strongly recommended that no attempt be made to enforce the program until after the administration has completed its investigation.
Santa Clara pilots award scholarships
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Donald Murphy reports that pilots at his home field of South County Airport of Santa Clara County are helping to build the future of aviation by awarding scholarships. The South County Airport Pilots Association recently awarded two $500 scholarships to students attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The group plans to make similar awards each year to help individuals aspiring to aviation careers.
Runway construction begins at Twentynine Palms
Construction on a new runway parallel to the existing Runway 8/26 has begun at Twentynine Palms Airport. The smaller existing runway will be converted to a taxiway once construction is complete. With the longer runway making the airport accessible to larger aircraft, the local fuel provider will begin offering Jet-A as well as avgas, reports AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Jason Littrell.
Improvements take shape at Mariposa
A $1.2 million airport improvement project to widen the runway from 60 to 75 feet, add runway and taxi lights, and bring a new AWOS to the field is under way at Mariposa-Yosemite Airport.
Approximately 90 percent of the funding for the project has come from the FAA Airport Improvement Program. The airport was scheduled to be closed for approximately 30 days in October while the work was completed.
In a separate project, which also has received FAA funding, the county was set to purchase two parcels of land to be used for helipad sites. The new helipads would move helicopter operations, including frequent firefighting operations, away from the runways. A dispute between county officials and landowners has slowed the project and reduced its size, but the construction of three new helipads will be completed by March 2003.
To learn more about flying into Mariposa and the area's many recreational opportunities, see " California Flying: Mariposa" following p. 136 in this issue.
Columbia, Pine Mountain Lake expand advisory group
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Alan Wallace has spearheaded a successful effort to expand the local airport advisory board from two to eight members. The new board includes airport users from Columbia Airport and Pine Mountain Lake Airport as well as two members of the county Board of Supervisors.
Upcoming aviation events in California
7 — Chino. Chino Airport (CNO). Planes of Fame Air Museum. Pearl Harbor Day activities. Call 909/597-3722.
11, 12 — Upland. Cable Airport (CCB). Pomona Valley Air Fair. Fly-ins are welcome. Call Roger Bailey, 909/283-5808.
11, 12 — Upland. Cable Airport (CCB). 15th Annual Poker Run. Sponsored by the San Gabriel Chapter of The Ninety-Nines. Call Linda Hayden, 714/637-6305.
"Calendar" is updated weekly on the Web ( www.aopa.org/pilot/calendar/). Weekend flying destinations are posted each Friday in AOPA ePilot.
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