Noise study under way at Palomar
A 15-month-long noise study has begun at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Rick Baker reports that the study, which is being managed by URS Corporation and funded by the FAA, was prompted by noise complaints from nearby residents. A public comment period on the study began in May, and Baker was urging local pilots to speak up about the value of the airport and the importance of restricting incompatible development close to the field. Baker maintains an e-mail list of airport advocates and keeps participants informed about meeting announcements. Pilots who wish to be added to the list can contact Baker by e-mail ( [email protected]).
Oceanside improvements could begin this month
After winning an arduous battle to keep Oceanside Municipal Airport open, area pilots are looking forward to the start of construction on improvements mandated in the first phase of the airport's master plan. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Arty Sternberg reports that construction could begin as soon as this month. Among the improvements called for in the master plan are new hangars, an administrative building, and a restaurant. When the plan is complete, the field should be able to accommodate 250 based aircraft in hangars and at tiedowns.
AOPA worked closely with Sternberg and other members of the Oceanside community to battle city plans to close the airport and develop the property. In April, the Oceanside City Council voted 3-2 to follow the airport's master plan.
Preview of economic impact study shows importance of aviation
A sneak preview of the long-awaited California Aviation Impact Study showed the financial importance of aviation to the state's economy. According to the final draft report, which was circulated in April, aviation accounts for 9 percent of California's economy — an economy that is the fifth largest in the world. AOPA and other interested parties commented on the April draft, which was set to be finalized and released to the public in June.
Pilots suggest alternatives to housing adjacent to Long Beach
Airport users have their own ideas about how best to use property adjacent to Runway 25R at Long Beach/Daugherty Field, and they are speaking up. Currently, Boeing Realty is planning to build a development it calls PacifiCenter on the land. The project would include 2,500 new residential units. But airport users have been battling the proposal, warning that such a development is incompatible with its location near an increasingly busy airport. Pilots fear the housing development would lead to safety problems, noise complaints, and snarled traffic on airport access roads.
Among the alternative land uses being proposed is the creation of an updated terminal building to accommodate the airport's 41 daily commercial flights. The existing terminal dates from the 1940s. Another idea would create a residential airpark on the property, with homes and hangars catering to aircraft owners.
Bill could add to aircraft owners' tax burden
State Assembly Bill 694 could make more aircraft owners subject to a state use tax on their aircraft. Under existing law, California imposes a tax on the gross receipts from the sale, storage, or use in the state of tangible personal property. This includes vehicles, vessels, and aircraft. An aircraft purchased outside the state is subject to the tax if it is brought into the state within 90 days of purchase.
But A.B.694 would expand the tax liability to vehicles, vessels, and aircraft purchased outside the state that: are purchased by a California resident; are subject to California's registration or property tax laws during the first 12 months of ownership; or are used or stored in the state more than half the time during the first 12 months of ownership. The bill was amended in April to exempt vehicles, vessels, and aircraft used in interstate and foreign commerce, and has now been referred to the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.
Napa gets Airport Watch training
Pilots at Napa County Airport recently received training on AOPA's Airport Watch program. At a pilots association meeting in April, ASN volunteer James Lyon gave a presentation about the program, which encourages pilots to watch for and report suspicious activity on their airports. Pilots who see such activity are encouraged to call local law enforcement or a national toll-free hotline, 866/GA-SECUR[E] (866/427-3287), to report the problem.
Petaluma working to end bird strikes
Canada geese living year-round on a golf course adjacent to Petaluma Municipal Airport have become a safety hazard for aircraft, and AOPA ASN volunteer Thomas McGaw is working with the FAA and city management to mitigate the problem.
In recent years the airport has been the site of several bird strikes resulting in aircraft damage but no human injuries. Airport officials had obtained a permit to have local police officers shoot birds that crossed onto airport property, but the city manager later mandated that no birds be shot, and attempts to scare the birds away with dogs have been unsuccessful.
Now McGaw and other airport users are working with the FAA to find an acceptable way to eliminate the problem and prevent future accidents.
Arcata could lose land to animal shelter
AOPA is looking into plans to convert four acres of property belonging to Arcata Airport to nonaviation uses. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal to convert the property into an animal shelter. The property was given to the county in 1940 specifically for aviation use. While details of the plan were not known at press time, airport advocates fear that making the land available for nonaviation uses sets a bad precedent and could lead to further encroachment on airport property.
Housing development to encroach on Oxnard Airport
Oxnard Airport is facing the possibility of 200 homes and a school being built directly under the traffic pattern, less than 1,200 feet from the runway. Ventura County plans to transfer land to the City of Oxnard, which then plans to develop the property. ASN volunteer Norman Heath says county authorities ignored a letter from AOPA strongly opposing the plan. He and AOPA continue to monitor the situation.
More paperwork for owners of historic aircraft
If you own an aircraft of historical interest you may be eligible for an exemption from the property tax on that aircraft — but getting the exemption could require more paperwork in the future.
Current law says that aircraft of historical interest that are displayed to the public for at least 12 days each year, are not held for sale, and are not used for commercial or general transportation purposes are exempt from property tax. Senate Bill 1059 would require the owners of such aircraft to demonstrate proof of the aircraft's participation in the public event. Owners would be required to attach a certificate of attendance from the event coordinator. The bill passed the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation on April 21 and was referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Upcoming aviation events in California
July 2003
5 — Hollister. Hollister Municipal Airport (3O7). Sounds of Freedom Fly-In. Call 831/637-0559.
11 — Lompoc. Lompoc Airport (LPC). 19th Annual Piper Cub Fly-In. Call Bruce Fall, 805/733-1914.
19 — Colusa. Colusa County Airport (O08). Old Time Fly-In. Static display, free breakfast for pilots and passengers, aircraft judging, barbecue lunch. Call Harry Krug, 530/458-0580.
August 2003
2 — Santa Paula. Santa Paula Airport (SZP). Dinner and dance to benefit AMSP Building Fund. Call 805/525-2138.
9 — Auburn. Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN). Thunder in the Sky 2003. Call 530/885-4700.
23-24 — Camarillo. Camarillo Airport (KCMA). EAA Chapter 733 Airshow. Call 805/985-7095.
"Calendar" is updated weekly on the Web ( www.aopa.org/pilot/calendar/). Weekend flying destinations are posted each Friday in AOPA ePilot.
Related Articles
