AOPA tells supervisors to reconsider background-check ordinance
In a letter to San Mateo County Supervisors, AOPA voiced strong opposition to a plan to require criminal-background checks for all new students at three flight schools at Half Moon Bay Airport and San Carlos Airport. The letter also outlined AOPA's current lawsuit against the State of Michigan and its background-check legislation, drawing attention to the fact that both the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration have examined flight school security and determined that no new regulations are necessary for U.S. citizens at this time. Additionally, the letter said that only the FAA has the right to govern the training of new pilots and pointed out the danger of creating a patchwork of conflicting local laws that do nothing to enhance security and everything to inconvenience and harm citizens.
The ordinance, proposed by Supervisor Mark Church, has been approved by the county counsel and has received widespread support from the public. Airport Support Network volunteer Lee Clark reports that one of the provisions of the law would make flight schools liable for oversights or errors in the background checks and schools could be faced with misdemeanor charges for mistakes.
Pilots object to Reid-Hillview safety-zone encroachment
A plan to create a new 16-screen movie theater and open-air "main street" shopping district have raised concerns for pilots operating at Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport in San Jose. The development would be part of a plan to renovate the Eastridge shopping center, which is located under the approach path to Runways 31R and 31L. But some of the additions to the shopping center would be located within the airport safety zone. The local airport land use commission was scheduled to review the plan, and was expected to reject it because of the public safety issues.
In other news, pilots turned out in force for a recent master-plan update meeting. The new master plan is expected to address issues related to continuing growth at the airport and others in the region. While master-plan consultants estimate that an additional 19 airplanes per year will be based at San Jose-area airports, Reid-Hillview Airport Support Network volunteer Michael Coyle believes that figure may represent a significant underestimate of growth. Coyle says the current growth rate at area airports has been averaging 26 airplanes per year.
Compton pilots support banner-towing operation
Pilots at Compton/Woodley Airport are asking airport and county officials to rescind a measure abolishing banner towing at the field. Airport Support Network volunteer Jack Fenton says banner-towing operations at the field have been conducted safely in the past and should be allowed to continue. Until recently, a local banner-towing company conducted operations from the grass between the airport's parallel runways, but those operations were banned by the airport management and county in August.
Fenton has written letters to airport officials reminding them that airport improvement grant obligations prohibit discrimination in determining what operations can be conducted at the airport. He also pointed out the value of the revenue provided to the airport by the banner-towing company.
Pilots fight for Tracy, New Jerusalem airports
Pilots who use Tracy Municipal Airport and New Jerusalem Airport are working on a plan to preserve their fields. Airport Support Network volunteer Denny Presley reports that both airports are threatened with closure because of financial and maintenance troubles.
Recently, operating rules for New Jerusalem Airport were changed, requiring anyone wishing to land at the field to receive prior permission from the City of Tracy because of potential safety concerns. Waivers to use the field were being granted for one month at a time. At the same time, Presley reports that city officials are considering returning the property now occupied by New Jerusalem to the federal government as early as April 2003 and using any funds generated from that action to support Tracy Municipal.
In the meantime, users of Tracy airport have created a strategic plan to improve the field's revenue situation and keep it open. To develop community support for the field, they are planning a first-annual open house with the theme "Just Plane Fun."
Action delayed on environmental report for Weaverville
Further action on the relocation of Lonnie Pool Field/Weaverville Airport has been delayed for another three to six months following public comment on the environmental impact report for the proposed site. AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer and Airport Support Network volunteer George Loegering were among the airport proponents who attended a September meeting to close out the comment period on the environmental report. Disagreements over the report led Trinity County officials to delay a decision, but the property owner agreed to extend a purchase option for the land.
Positive developments reported at Oxnard
After several years of fighting to preserve the airport, local pilots say things are looking up at Oxnard Airport. Airport Support Network volunteer Norman Heath reports that the new airport manager, Scott Smith, and his assistant, Chris Hastert, are doing an excellent job of moving forward projects that have been stalled. Other positive developments at the field include the construction of a new executive hangar to be leased by a prominent regional fixed-base operator, the approval of an airport budget that is in the black, the establishment of an active airport association, and progress on a master plan for the field.
Airport users are also working with Ventura County supervisors to have the airport renamed The Ventura County Regional Airport. Airport supporters believe this name will more accurately reflect the role of the airport in the region's transportation system.
Candidates speak to Oceanside airport users
The contentious battle over the future of Oceanside Municipal Airport brought seven city council candidates to a meeting of the Oceanside Airport Political Action Committee recently. The event was the first public forum sponsored by the new PAC, which grew out of efforts to save the airport from restrictions and encroachment. Airport Support Network volunteer Arthur Sternberg reports that some 90 people attended the event at which two incumbent council members declared their support for the airport.
In September, Alan Cruise, president of the 600-plus-member Oceanside Airport Association, wrote an editorial for the local newspaper explaining the value of the airport to the community. In the article he briefly explained the city's obligations stemming from the acceptance of federal grant monies and outlined the economic value of the airport to the community. Among the figures he cited in the article, Cruise pointed out that the local fixed-base operator, Sea Winds Aviation, generates more than $1.5 million in revenue and provides jobs for 30 people.
Concord pilots lobby for better access
Those who use Concord's Buchanan Field say it's time to provide better access to the airport and are lobbying the county board of supervisors for support. Airport Support Network volunteer Leo Saunders and others are asking for improvements to the access road around the airport as part of an update to the general plan. They say improving the road will improve utilization of the western side of the field.
Duck pond could pose hazard to flight
Pilots at Eureka's Murray Field are concerned that a planned California Fish and Game Department seasonal duck pond could be hazardous to flights in the vicinity of the airport. Construction on the duck pond project, which was approved in 1990, began in August without official notice to the public. Airport Support Network volunteer Alfonse Castaldi reports that the nine-acre pond would be located at the downwind-to-base turn for the airport's primary runway.
Napa pilots embark on public relations effort
Napa County Airport's pilots and airport manager are taking advantage of tools available through AOPA to boost their field's public image. At the request of Airport Manager Wanda Kennedy and Airport Support Network volunteer James Lyon, AOPA has provided numerous colorful brochures emphasizing the value of the airport to pilots and nonpilots alike. The brochures were set to be distributed as part of Napa's Airport Day in October.
First community event in four years held at Rialto
In an effort to get airport neighbors involved in the life of the field, Rialto Municipal/Miro Field recently held an open house, fly-in, and airshow. The event was the first of its kind in four years. Airport Support Network volunteer Lyn Mattox helped arrange the event, which was designed, in part, to interest young people in aviation and dispel any concerns about potential safety or terrorist threats from general aviation.
Upcoming aviation events in California
November
2 — Chino. Chino Airport (CNO). Planes of Fame Air Museum. Experimental aircraft exhibit. Call 909/597-3722.
3, 5 — Rancho Mirage. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. 7th Annual Regional and Corporate Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference. Call 310/203-9603.
December
2 — Chino. Chino Airport (CNO). Planes of Fame Air Museum. Pearl Harbor Day activities. Call 909/597-3722.
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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