'No you don't,' AOPA tells Contra Costa officials
AOPA warned county officials in Contra Costa County that they're in for a fight if they try to close Buchanan Field in Concord and not just from AOPA.
A member of the county Board of Supervisors wants to solicit proposals to redevelop the airport. But after researching the airport's deed history, AOPA discovered that the federal government gave Buchanan Field to Contra Costa County as surplus property after World War II on the condition that it remain a public-use airport or be returned to the federal government. There is no other option. AOPA's discussions with the FAA confirm the federal government does not want the airport closed.
In a letter to County Supervisor Mark DeSaulinier, AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn wrote, "AOPA is very concerned about your actions and is vigorously opposed to any effort to close Buchanan Field."
Dunn cautioned DeSaulinier about public comments he made suggesting that the airport could be closed and developed for other purposes. Dunn said the county official was "setting up unrealistic expectations."
The surplus land agreement notwithstanding, the county has also accepted millions of dollars in federal grant money under the Airport Improvement Program. That money comes with strings attached — strings that require the county to operate the airport as a public-use airport for 20 years from the time the grant is approved.
"AOPA will use all resources available to us to ensure the existing federal agreements are upheld and Buchanan Field is not allowed to close," said Dunn.
Apple Valley may assume control of airport
The Apple Valley Town Council is looking into the possibility of taking over the Apple Valley Airport and has begun negotiations with San Bernardino County. Nearby cities also would be involved in the negotiations, according to the Daily Press of Victorville. If successful, the town would gain a 556-acre airport especially suited to smaller aircraft, but able to handle corporate, law enforcement, and cargo aircraft as well.
California AOPA members detail TFR problems
AOPA member comments to President George W. Bush indicate that last-minute creation of presidential temporary flight restriction (TFR) areas in California has created serious problems for pilots.
AOPA continues to battle with the federal government over timely dissemination of notams establishing TFRs because pilots need lead time to plan around the closed airspace. The impact on pilots outside and inside the Golden State was enormous based upon a sampling of the letters and operational-difficulty reports requested by AOPA. All the respondents voiced support for necessary security measures, but the government's inability to work with conscientious pilots drew their ire.
"If you are not planning to bar every (rental) truck from entering the cities you visit, then please don't ban general aviation either," said a retired naval officer who flies clients for business and rents helicopters for aerial photography. His livelihood "was effectively shut down because of the excessive bureaucratic blunderings of several federal departments." He complained about being grounded at San Diego's Montgomery Field while weather conditions "were near perfect...to conduct my aerial photography. Notams that restrained my business were not issued until hours before they were put into effect, making it impossible to make other plans."
An aerobatic pilot told the White House, "This is insane. The radius of the TFR is ridiculous. My practice area between the small towns of Santa Paula and Fillmore will have absolutely no effect on the president's visit, despite the fact that I might be grounded from flying even locally for the next two days. Even the TFR around Bush's ranch (in Texas) when he is not there is completely uncalled for; isn't this obvious by the number of incursions by people passing through? Stop blaming general aviation for perceived problems and go about fixing the real problems."
A business jet pilot wrote in an operational-difficulty report that "no notam existed on DUATs for closure to GA aircraft. We were notified a few hundred miles out of SNA (John Wayne Airport-Orange County) that a presidential TFR existed to expire at 1415Z." The pilot slowed the aircraft to delay arrival after that time, but the TFR was extended 45 minutes. The jet had to land at Long Beach first, then hop over to John Wyne Airport. Apparently the notam was issued only locally, the report said. "The FBOs had been notified the night before about the closure; however, the notam never appeared on DUATS. We double-checked DUATS after landing at Long Beach."
A San Diego pastor wrote to Bush upon learning that parameters of a TFR set for that date had not been announced. "How can we plan our flights without prior and proper notification and without reasonable and workable TFR solutions?" he wrote. "I had to fly an emergency trip to Central California (in June) to pick up a church family that had been in a serious car accident." A presidential TFR for a Bush visit to Los Angeles "made that a difficult trip," he said.
"It is no secret that you are visiting us...so why can't the TFRs be announced in a timely manner?" asked a retired Air Force major and active GA pilot. "It is unreasonable for a pilot to check notams the night before and then go fly in the morning to find that his license is in danger because he flew through a TFR. There is no reason to keep a TFR secret!" he wrote.
AOPA urges pilots to keep the pressure on with more letters or faxes, which carry more weight than e-mails. Write to: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500, or send a fax to 202/456-2461. Please copy AOPA at [email protected]. Operational problems encountered in a TFR or ADIZ may be reported online at ( https://www.aopa.org/forms1/dc_adiz.cfm).
Early warnings heard about Eureka airport
To some, Murray Field looks like a good alternative site for a liquefied natural gas terminal now planned to be located on the former site of the Simpson Paper Company pulp mill on Humboldt Bay, according to an article in the Eureka Times-Standard. The San Jose energy company Calpine wants to consider Eureka's Murray Field as an alternative if the Simpson site doesn't work out, the paper reported. However, the airport lease requires the city to maintain the property as an airport, one that can be reclaimed by the federal government in time of war, the newspaper said.
Automall to locate near Visalia Municipal Airport
Supporters of Visalia Municipal Airport are concerned about city approval for the development of a huge automall located half a mile and slightly angled off the departure end of Runway 30. The lighting used to illuminate four to five dealerships may affect a pilot's ability to spot the airport at night, in fog, or in low visibility. AOPA airport volunteers are looking into the matter.
Aviation economic impact study completed
The impact of aviation on California's economy is detailed in an economic study completed in June and available on the Web site for the California Division of Aeronautics ( www.dot.ca.gov/hq/planning/aeronaut/htmlfile/oairport.html). The report, begun in December 2001, lists tens of millions of dollars of fuel taxes attributable directly to general aviation. The report also says there is increased use of general aviation aircraft and notes many smaller airports now need greater capacity. Part of the reason for the shift is the change in air transportation brought as a result of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. For information on the report, call Debbie Nozuka at 916/654-4389.
Effort in progress to lower Van Nuys lease rates
Do you think lease rates at Van Nuys Airport are too high? A suggestion has been made recently to lower them. As the rates now stand, owners of smaller propeller-driven aircraft are leaving Van Nuys for less expensive rates at nearby airports. Recommendations for lower rates are expected by the end of the year.
California legislative update
A.B.332: Airports: land-use commissions: This bill to strengthen airport land-use law in California passed both houses with minor amendments and is ready for action by the governor.
S.B.1059: Taxation, aircraft of historical significance: This bill requiring proof that historic aircraft are displayed to the public 12 days a year in order to be exempt from property taxes has been passed by both houses and is ready for action by the governor.
A.B.694: Use tax: vehicles, vessels, and aircraft: This bill expanding tax liability under certain conditions to vehicles, vessels, and aircraft purchased outside the state failed in the Senate on September 2. A motion to reconsider is pending.
Upcoming aviation events in California
November
1 — Upland. Cable Airport (CCB). SOCAL RV Rendezvous. Visit the Web site ( http://socal_wvaf.rvproject.com).
8-9 — El Monte. El Monte Airport (EMT). Air Fair 2003. Call Richard Smith, 626/448-6129.
9 — Riverside. Flabob Airport (RIR). Veteran's Day event. Call Jon Goldenbaum, 909/684-4280.
"Calendar" is updated weekly on the Web ( www.aopa.org/pilot/calendar/). Weekend flying destinations are posted each Friday in AOPA ePilot.
