El Toro won't become civilian airport
In a blow to Southern California aviation advocates, the Navy recently announced that the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will not be converted to use as a civilian airport. Instead, the property will be used for housing, businesses, and a park. The April 23 announcement came after Orange County voters approved a plan to convert the former base to nonairport uses. Although that vote was not binding on the Navy, the decision to prohibit use of the property as a civilian airport appears to give federal blessing to the vote. Many aviation supporters had hoped that turning the property into an airport could relieve congestion at crowded fields in the region.
State legislation would require noise disclosures
AOPA is supporting Assembly Bill 2776, which would require that potential homebuyers be informed about noise from nearby airports. The measure specifies that homebuyers would have to receive "real and constructive notice of the proximity and potential impact of airports." The state Department of Transportation is working with the real estate industry to develop mechanisms for disclosure. Supporters of the bill hope that providing notification about airports will help minimize noise and nuisance complaints from nearby homeowners.
CCC approves Santa Barbara plan
The California Coast Commission, which regulates land and water use in the state's coastal zone, has given its blessing to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport's Aviation Facilities Plan. The April finding that the plan is consistent with the California Coast Act means that improvements to general aviation facilities at the airport can get under way. Among the planned improvements is the construction of new T-hangars. No new hangars have been built at the airport in 30 years, despite ever increasing demand. In addition, the decision clears the way for shifting the airport's main runway 800 feet to the west of its current location. That plan, which will allow for appropriate overrun and safety areas on each end of the runway, was hotly contested by environmental activists because the airport is located in a wetlands area. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Gordon Feingold was instrumental in mobilizing pilots to support the facilities plan before the CCC.
AOPA expresses support for University Airport
The message that general aviation airports are important and valuable to their communities was delivered to Larry Vanderhoef, chancellor of the University of California at Davis, in a recent letter from AOPA Vice President of Airports Anne Esposito. In the letter Esposito emphasized AOPA's efforts to preserve general aviation airports.
The letter was sent after AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Neal Dillman informed the association of a proposal to close University Airport and turn the property into housing. The controversy over the future of the airport, which is the only one associated with a California university campus, started as university officials revisited the school's 15-year master plan. A similar situation arose 15 years ago during the last master plan review. At that time the airport was saved by records showing the number of operations at the airport and by donations from a family who used the field to fly their sick dog to emergency surgery.
AOPA regional rep speaks to San Carlos pilots
John Pfeifer, AOPA's regional representative for California, updated pilots on the biggest issues facing general aviation at the annual membership meeting of the San Carlos Airport Pilots Association. Pfeifer, who was the featured speaker at the gathering, led an interactive presentation covering issues such as GA security, compatible land use and development around airports, and airport funding. He also led a discussion of the FAA's role in airport compliance issues, focusing on the compliance process as a whole and reviewing case histories at such airports as Reid-Hillview, Auburn, Grass Valley, and Los Banos.
Fallbrook faces another delay in FBO development
Fallbrook Community Airport's pilots fear that another 18 months or more could pass before any FBO development can begin on the field. In May 2000, San Diego County, which owns Fallbrook, approved a property lease for a new FBO on the airport, but problems with fire suppression and water systems delayed the development. In April that lease was terminated without explanation, ending hopes for a new FBO on the field and the $1.6 million of airport development funds expected to accompany it. Although pilots still hold out hope for the establishment of an FBO at Fallbrook, the termination of the existing lease means that a long delay is inevitable, even if the county can attract another developer to the site. County officials were scheduled to solicit bids for an FBO lease early this summer. In the meantime, however, progress has been made on extending water service at the airport, and a second fire hydrant has been installed. As a result, limited fuel sales will be allowed to resume after more than a year. Sales will be limited to 20 hours a week spread over Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday operating hours. Transient pilots will be able to receive details of the service via notam.
Aviation TV series planned
KVIE, the public television station for the Sacramento area, is planning a television series on aviation in Central California. Jim O'Donnell, creative director for the station, recently was introduced to the board of directors of the Association of California Airports (ACA) by AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer. O'Donnell and the directors spent more than an hour discussing ideas for the production. In other ACA news, the group was scheduled to discuss general aviation security issues and pending legislation at its spring conference in late May. ACA and AOPA have expressed their support for Assembly Bill 2719, which would provide $49 million over four years for safety and security improvements at the state's general aviation airports.
Pilots battle insurance requirements at Compton
Pilots at Compton/Woodley Airport say the airport is imposing unreasonable insurance requirements on them. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Jack Kenton says that a recent newsletter informed airport tenants that they would have to purchase insurance coverage for up to $2 million, including $500,000 per person for bodily injury. Airport tenants say the insurance requirements are unreasonable. AOPA weighed in on the issue recently, saying that insurance requirements that are higher than those available from insurers are considered unreasonable. In some cases such requirements violate the FAA grant assurances to which airport operators must agree in return for receiving federal funding.
Neighbors appeal Petaluma sports complex
Although the Petaluma Planning Commission recently approved the conditional use permit for a sporting complex near Petaluma Municipal Airport, neighbors of the planned development have filed an appeal. The development was approved by a 3-2 vote over the objections of pilots who expressed concerns about hazards caused by lighting the complex at night and by the proximity of the development to the runway. Although observers say it is unlikely that the Petaluma City Council will stop the planned development, the panel may require the developer to make additional concessions to meet the concerns of neighbors. Concessions made to pilots so far have included "aviation appropriate" lighting to minimize glare and the inclusion of beacons on top of each light standard. The FAA also will have the opportunity to give final approval to the project, though that approval won't come until the last stages of construction.
Salinas pilots work to preserve airport's future
Pilots at Salinas Municipal Airport have endorsed a letter drafted by Airport Support Network volunteer Robert McGregor and airport business owners in support of restricting incompatible development on and around the airport. The letter, which was forwarded to the City of Salinas, reminded planners of the importance of preventing road and other developments from conflicting with airport operations or hampering future airport expansion. The letter, signed by Salinas Airport Business Association members,especifically requested that all existing airport land be preserved for aviation uses and future airport growth. The letter was prompted by plans to build a highway bypass near the airport.
