Noise debate plagues Reid-Hillview
A proposal to promote the installation of hush kits for aircraft based at Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport has raised concerns among local pilots. A demonstration of the hush kits, produced by the German firm Gomolzig, was scheduled on short notice in late October, making it impossible for many pilots to attend. Pilots were also upset by airport officials' apparent plans to consider no other alternatives to minimize noise problems at the field. Since then, airport officials have agreed to consider other technologies and delay further action on hush kits until funding can be found. In the meantime, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved $75,000 to be spent from the airport's enterprise fund to begin work on a grant proposal for a noise monitoring system for the field. Such a system would be part of the airport's proposed noise-compatibility plan and would require FAA approval.
State aeronautics fund could lose another $5.2 million
California's budget crisis could divert even more money from aviation programs to the general fund, and AOPA is urging members to contact their state Assembly and Senate representatives to express their opposition to the plan.
Late last year $6 million in money originally slated for aviation programs was diverted from the aeronautics account to help make up a $21 billion general fund deficit predicted through June 2004.
In December 2002 a special legislative session convened to tackle the continuing shortfall. Among the items being considered was the transfer of an additional $5.2 million from the aeronautics account to the general fund — a move that would affect the maintenance, operation, and development of virtually every public-use airport in the state.
While all of the ramifications of such a transfer were not known at press time, it was clear that annual operational grants of $10,000 each would not be available to 149 eligible airports that rely on the money to pay for such expenses as maintenance, salaries, and insurance. In addition, state matching funds, which are required for airports to be eligible for certain federal funding programs, would be eliminated. If matching funds cannot be found, as much as $55 million in federal funding for California airports would dry up.
A separate grant program, which pays for 90 percent of eligible acquisition and development projects, also would be eliminated, and some airports would be asked to return grant funds they previously had received. Those airports would then be forced to find alternative sources of matching funds in order to keep federal grant monies previously awarded.
A number of local governments have joined AOPA in opposing the plan to transfer funds, writing letters to the governor and key legislators. A letter from the City of Red Bluff referred to the proposed transfer as a "raid" on the Division of Aeronautics account, adding that small airports can ill afford to lose funding in light of the increased attention being paid to security issues at general aviation airports in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Proposed law would subject schools to airport land use requirements
The California Department of Transportation is supporting proposed legislation that would force schools to follow the same airport land use laws as other government agencies.
Under existing law, local agencies, such as cities and counties, must provide copies of their general plans, as well as information on specific projects, to local airport land use commissions. The commissions, which are charged with developing land use plans for areas near airports, then determine whether any proposed development is compatible with aircraft operations and airport usage. Currently, school districts are not considered local agencies, and do not have to share their plans with local land use commissions. And while local agencies may overrule the recommendations of an airport land use committee, they are not required to notify the committee or the state Department of Transportation of plans to do so.
Under the proposed law, school districts would be considered local agencies, with the responsibility to report plans to land use commissions. It would also require that a local agency proposing to override a land use commission's decision notify both the commission and the Department of Transportation, giving both agencies a chance to comment.
AOPA opposes Super Bowl flight restrictions
In late December AOPA voiced opposition to any additional flight restrictions for the Super Bowl during the week of January 26 in San Diego. In a letter to the FAA, AOPA insisted that airspace security interests were adequately addressed through a temporary flight restriction established by Notam 2/0199. The San Diego Police Department and the NFL were pushing for restrictions above and beyond the notam, which established a 3-nautical-mile-radius TFR extending up to 3,000 feet agl.
"Notam 2/0199 was implemented to address large open-air gatherings like the Super Bowl," said Melissa Bailey, AOPA vice president of air traffic policy. "AOPA therefore encourages the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration [TSA] to continue to support Notam 2/0199 and disapprove any airspace action that would further restrict general aviation access to San Diego airspace during the week of the Super Bowl."
AOPA worked in conjunction with the TSA and sporting interests such as the NFL to develop the notam.
Huntington Beach backs down from threatened fines
Following clarification from the FAA and pressure from AOPA and other aviation organizations, Huntington Beach has backed away from threats to fine aerial advertisers operating in airspace above any part of the city limits. Language in the FAA's General Aviation Operations Inspector's Handbook created confusion by suggesting that local laws might supersede federal authority. The FAA has now removed the confusing language, prompting Huntington Beach to rescind its ordinance. "This action makes clear that the FAA intends to retain its control of our nation's airspace," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs.
Based aircraft limits worry Reid-Hillview pilots
Pilots in Santa Clara County are concerned that a master plan forecast for Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport could restrict available facilities for based aircraft. Recently the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors accepted a partial master plan draft that put the long-term demand for aircraft based at Reid-Hillview at 750. The airport is currently home to 726 based aircraft, and local pilot groups are worried that the forecast amounts to a restriction on the facilities that will be available, effectively limiting the number of based aircraft to 750 and forcing any additional demand to other airports, most|likely South County Airport of Santa Clara County. Area pilots independently estimate demand to be closer to 950 aircraft.
Palo Alto pilot honored as volunteer of the month
Establishing good community relations is just one of the tasks Airport Support Network volunteers tackle in their efforts to protect general aviation. Robert Lenox, ASN's volunteer of the month, excels at building positive relationships between pilots and neighbors of Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County. For more on Lenox's achievements, see " Volunteer of the Month: Robert Lenox" on p. 26.
Upcoming aviation events in the region
Feb 7, 9 — Laughlin, NV. Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP). International Comanche Society Annual Laughlin Fly-In. Call Art Schmidt, 623/561-6681.
Feb 21, 24 and Feb 28, Mar 3 — Baja California. Baja Bush Pilots "Whales 2003" expedition. Two weekends to get up close and personal with whales, more than 100 aircraft, and 300 Baja Bush Pilots. Call 480/730-3250 or visit the Web site ( www.bajabushpilots.com).
"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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