Dunsmuir closed despite pilot efforts
Just when pilots believed that a long-running dispute over obstructions at Dunsmuir Municipal-Mott Airport was about to be resolved, the airport was closed.
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Ken Pool said the December closure came as a surprise because airport advocates believed negotiations to remove dangerously tall trees were progressing in the right direction. At press time, pilots were being allowed to take off from the airport in order to relocate their aircraft, but were not allowed to land at the field.
This is not the first time the airport has been shut down. The airport was briefly closed to all operations in 1999 after the owners of adjacent property refused to allow trees on their land to be cut to clear safe approaches. Dunsmuir was reopened to daytime operations late that year after some of the offending trees were cut, but the airport remained closed to night operations. In all, about 40 acres of trees must be cut to make the approaches safe.
With the support of AOPA, the battle to keep Dunsmuir open has been going on for more than three years. The City of Dunsmuir filed a lawsuit against those who have opposed the tree removal. That 1999 suit named property owners and the U.S. Forest Servic? as defendants. A hearing on the lawsuit was held last June, and pilots expected the matter to be resolved by the end of 2001 so that they could focus their energy on educating the Dunsmuir City Council about the value of the airport to the community.
University proposal could derail El Toro airport plan
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to develop a civil airport on the site of the now-closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, but a proposal to build a university complex on the property could derail that plan.
The supervisors voted to approve the civil-airport development in late October. But by the end of November, a coalition of antiairport cities had filed a lawsuit asking the Orange County Superior Court to overturn the supervisors' decision. The lawsuit alleges that the environmental impact of an airport has not been adequately documented.
A state appeals panel has ruled that a measure to create a park and univer-sity complex on the site of the former military base must be placed on the ballot. The public will have a chance to vote on that proposal in March.
Caltrans Aeronautics names new chief
Austin Wiswell, who is known for his energetic advocacy for general aviation, has been named chief of the Caltrans Aeronautics Division. Wiswell has been serving as acting division chief since December 2000 and has worked in the division since 1999.
Wiswell started at Caltrans Aeronautics as a safety inspector for airports before becoming chief of the Office of Airports. Previously he held airport management positions in California and Arizona and had a 24-year career as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and staff officer.
Transportation committee discusses terrorism
The California State Assembly Transportation Committee recently conducted a hearing on terrorism and transportation. Officials from more than two dozen agencies participated in the hearing, which addressed the security of the state's bridges, tunnels, highways, airports, seaports, and rail facilities.
Committee Chairman John Dutra (D-Fremont) said the object of the hearing was to gather as much information as possible on the existing security of the state's transportation facilities. The committee plans to use the information to draft legislation that will improve security and provide funding sources.
During the hearing, committee members expressed concern about the lack of security at general aviation facilities located on airports with commercial service. AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer attended the hearing and will participate in the ongoing activities of the committee.
Fly-in community faces compliance problems
Sierra Sky Park Airport in Fresno could lose its operating certificate. Alleged violations of Department of Transportation standards threatened to close the airport by early January. Night operations were previously curtailed at the airport, which is home to the nation's oldest fly-in community. AOPA has been asked to help residents find ways to bring the field into compliance and preserve its operating certificate. State officials have told AOPA that trees at the community must be trimmed, and Caltrans Aeronautics Chief Austin Wiswell has agreed to meet with residents at the airpark.
The airport has fought controversy and litigation repeatedly in the past 20 years. Despite the neighborhood's status as a fly-in community, some residents have expressed interest in closing the runway and turning the property into building lots.
Yuba implements security measures
In response to FAA suggestions that general aviation airports will be called upon to improve security, Yuba County AirDort has begun implementing a number of low-cost security measures.
They include locking certain airport gates, asking aircraft owners to keep their hangars locked, and the addition of timers to keep apron lighting on from dusk to dawn. Airport management hopes to add several automated gates with card or key locks once funding becomes available. In addition, airport officials are working to close and secure all entryways in the perimeter fence that surrounds the airport.
Battle over Oceanside continues
The City of Oceanside is continuing its efforts to limit activity at Oceanside Municipal Airport. At a closed meeting held in early December, the Oceanside City Council voted not to renew its lease with Seawinds Aviation, which was set to expire December 31.
Seawinds is the operator of the only FBO and flight school at the airport and has been acting as airport manager. The city council reportedly plans to take over managing the field until it decides on the airport's future. The association has worked with local pilots and the FAA to ensure the continued operation of the airport.
Advisory committee to focus on security
The Technical Advisory Committee on Aeronautics met recently to discuss recommendations for increased funding of California aviation programs and general aviation airport security. Among the issues discussed was an FAA survey of 22 California commercial service airports to determine the need for funds for security improvements. Those airports reported a need for $790 million in hardware alone. The state's Airport Capital Improvement Program also currently includes $19 million in unfunded general aviation security projects.
The advisory committee was working on recommendations for legislation to address funding needs and to update comprehensive airport land use plans. Those recommendations were presented to the California Transportation Commission in December.
Airports have through 2003 to use AIP funds
A number of California airports have carried over Airport Improvement Program entitlement funds into 2002, but aviation officials are warning that the fields have only until the end of the 2003 fiscal year to spend the money or it will be lost.
The annual entitlement of up to $150,000 per year began in 2001 as part of AIR-21 aviation legislation, which released aviation-generated revenue for aviation uses. At the end of the 2001 fiscal year, some 72 California general aviation airports had not spent their entitlements. Airport managers are being urged to work with their district or regional FAA offices to find appropriate ways to use the funds by the 2003 deadline. If a large number of airports do not use the money, it could send a signal to Congress that funding for general aviation improvements is not needed.
Auburn dedicates runway
The City of Auburn recently dedicated its widened and expanded runway at Auburn Municipal Airport. Funding for the project came from three Airport Improvement Program grants worth approximately $6 million as well as state and local matching funds. The runway was expanded from 60 to 75 feet in width and lengthened from 3,100 to 3,700 feet. Significant grading to reduce the runway's slope also was part of the project.
Other improvements at the airport included new taxiways and intersections, a new high intensity runway light system, new signs, and new drainage. Future plans for the airport include a new terminal building, additional hangars, and development of airport property north of the runway.
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