California Action

Little River Airport sees improvements

Pilots at Little River Airport in Mendocino County are looking forward to a variety of improvements scheduled for the field. Plans are moving ahead to build 16 additional county-owned hangars and to update the airport land use plan. In addition, airport officials are working to acquire property along the approach to Runway 29 and to address FAA concerns about trees near the runway. Those concerns have delayed implementation of a planned GPS approach, but work has begun to hire an aviation consultant to assist in development of a vegetation management plan for the field.

Davis' University Airport deed sought

A proposal to close University Airport and turn the property into housing could be thwarted by a condition placed on the deed donating the land to the school. According to the terms of the deed, the university may maintain ownership of the land only as long as it continues to be used as an airport. If the airport closes, the land would revert to the donor's heirs. But the deed to the airport was lost some 15 years ago. While airport supporters seek a copy in court records, public meetings about the airport's future have been scheduled.

The controversy over the future of the airport, which is the only one associated with a California university campus, comes as university officials "Revisit the school's 15-year master plan. A similar situation arose during the last master plan review. At that time the airport was saved by records showing the number of operations and by donations from a family who used the field to fly their sick dog to emergency surgery.

Voluntary noise abatement works at Half Moon Bay

Residents near Half Moon Bay Airport say airport managers and pilots are doing a good job of limiting the noise footprint of aircraft operating out of the field. Airport managers and members of the local pilots' association have worked together to inform area pilots about the voluntary noise-abatement procedures, which were developed jointly by county officials and airport users.

In other news at the field, an airport master plan study remains on hold, awaiting funding. The study was scheduled two years ago, but a decision to pursue an environmental impact report on the airport, which is located near sensitive wildlife areas, meant that funding had to be diverted from the project. Among the proposals likely to be considered are additional hangars and the construction of aviation-related businesses along the frontage of Highway 1.

Pilots based at Gnoss Field in Novato are working to create an e-mail list they can use to communicate with each other and other North Bay area fliers about issues affecting their airports. Airport Support Network volunteer Charles Gallagher praises the airport manager and members of the county aviation commission for their support of general aviation, but adds that it's important to have a means of communicating quickly so that pilots can take a proactive role in the future of their airports.

Long Beach undergoes personnel audit

The Department of Justice has ordered officials at Long each/Daugherty Field to produce documentation regarding all current airport employees, as well as those terminated within the past three years as part of a security audit. In addition, flight schools are being asked to provide names and social security numbers for all CFIs who have worked at the field during the same period. Airport Support Network volunteer Candace Robinson has expressed concern about the level of scrutiny flight training is receiving. AOPA is monitoring the situation.

Businesses try to boost interest in Salinas

Business owners and corporate operators at Salinas Municipal Airport are banding together to form the Salinas Airport Business Association. The group will work to support issues of common interest to the airport community, share information, and launch a program to educate neighbors about the value of the airport. Airport Support Network volunteer Robert McGregor says the association will help airport users and business owners respond to any threats the airport might face.

Already airport users have worked with city and county government to protect the airport from incompatible development. Proposals to create high-density, low-cost housing adjacent to the airport have lost ground in favor of light industrial development of surrounding property. Any development would allow for appropriate access to the airport.

Petaluma approves conditional use permit for sports complex

The Petaluma Planning Commission has approved the conditional use permit for a sports complex development adjacent to Petaluma Municipal Airport on a 3-2 vote. The decision represents a setback for pilots who have been fighting the project citing potential incompatible land use as well as hazards to flight posed by lighting for the stadium.

But the decision was not a total loss. The commission also required that the FAA have final approval of the project before it is put into service, although that approval will not be required until construction is almost complete. The commission also included a requirement for "aviation appropriate" lighting to include beacons on top of each standard. It was not clear whether the lighting would be shielded; glare from the lights affecting night airport operations has been one of the concerns brought up by airport users and AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Thomas McGaw.

In addition to the conditional use permit, the developer already has received approval for a lease on the property involved. While it is still unclear whether the developer can obtain all of the funding needed to complete the project, the development is expected to move forward.

Environmental report clears way for new Weaverville airport

An environmental impact report that is expected to clear the way for development of a new airport has been completed. The new airport would replace Lonnie Pool Field/Weaverville Airport, which has repeatedly been threatened with closure because of a series of accidents relating to the field's one-way runway and steep grade. While some pilots will be sorry to lose an airport within walking distance of the town center, the majority of airport users seem to support the new location. Under the current plan, a local hospital would be relocated to the site of the existing airport, while a new airport would be built on level property. Construction of the new airport is expected to cost $21 million.

Improvements under way at Santa Clara

South County Airport of Santa Clara County will be home to as many as 105 new hangars. The county has announced plans to build between 75 and 105 new T-hangars and box hangars. Construction is slated to begin this summer and be completed in the summer of 2003. A lottery system was being used to select pilots to receive leases on the new hangars. Interested pilots had until May 31 to submit a $525 fee, of which $25 was nonrefundable, in order to enter the lottery.

Pilots and airport officials are also working together to promote noise-abatement procedures. New signs in run-up areas will help pilots avoid noise-sensitive areas, while the South County Airport Pilots Association has sent leaflets to flight schools at neighboring airports showing voluntary noise-abatement procedures.

Meanwhile the county is holding open meetings to discuss plans for future growth at the airport. While some area residents have expressed concern about possible expansion, pilots have expressed their support for growth. Meetings are scheduled to continue into the summer.