Truckee land-use plan adopted
In a win for the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, the Foothill Airport Land Use Commission adopted an environmental analysis and land-use plan that had generated controversy from pilots and homeowners for more than a year, the Truckee Sierra Sun recently reported.
"This action by the Foothill Airport Land Use Commission adopts the updated Truckee-Tahoe Comprehensive Land Use Plan," said AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer. "This will provide much better guidance for land-use decisions around the airport."
Conflicts centered on restrictions to development proposed in the draft. Those conflicts were resolved by making exemptions to allow development for the Town of Truckee, hospital and school districts, and for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Some homeowners, the newspaper reported, said those exemptions could allow development too close to the airport and could result in unsafe development.
The document now goes to the Town of Truckee and the governments of Placer and Nevada counties so that they can change any planning documents that do not comply with the plan.
New charts issued for Southern California
Los Angeles area pilots should be aware of valuable new information on the Los Angeles Terminal Area Chart and helicopter chart that were scheduled to be issued on December 23. On the back of the terminal area chart, pilots will find frequencies, some of them new, for use when navigating through 12 training areas in the Los Angeles area.
The helicopter chart is also valuable for fixed-wing pilots because they show many more landmarks than terminal area charts, said Burbank's AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Jackie Forsting. The helicopter chart had not been reissued since 1999.
Contributing to the preparation of the new charts were Long Beach's AOPA ASN volunteer Candy Robinson and FAA official Debra Trindle.
Santa Maria officials consider increasing security
A November incident has raised discussion among Santa Maria Public Airport District officials about increasing airport security, according to the Santa Maria Times. The newspaper reported a man claiming to be Jesus Christ who, with his young son in tow, tampered with a cargo aircraft at Santa Maria Public Airport. He was subdued but not before several police officers were injured, the newspaper reported. Discussions included concern that restrictions should not hinder access for general aviation pilots.
Watsonville crosswind runway closure fought
AOPA is fighting the closure of the crosswind runway at Watsonville Municipal Airport. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Dick Steinkamp recently pulled together information that was used in an AOPA letter to the Watsonville City Council opposing the closure.
Livermore improvements could be delayed
A multicommunity airport commission appointed by the Livermore City Council will recommend to the council an 18-month $100,000 environmental impact study for proposed expansion plans at Livermore Municipal Airport, the Contra Costa Times has reported.
The plan includes lengthening the shorter of two runways from 2,700 to 4,000 feet, adding hangars, and leasing space to businesses supporting business aviation. Airport neighbors fear that more airport capacity will mean more aircraft and therefore, more noise. Studies done to date show that environmental impacts will be insignificant or can be easily mitigated, the newspaper reported.
AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer noted that the new environmental study, if done, will conclude that there is no impact. He called it a gross expenditure of time and money, but added that it could serve to placate surrounding communities by showing them that noise is not a factor.
The Pleasanton City Council has threatened a legal challenge if the environmental study is not done, the newspaper reported. Dublin City officials have also expressed concern.
Development at McClennan-Palomar a concern
AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn has sent a letter to Carlsbad city officials expressing concern about residential encroachment at McClennan-Palomar Airport. Although San Diego County owns the airport, the encroachment is coming from the City of Carlsbad.
Further development of Bressi Ranch will sit less than a mile from the airport and directly under a flight path that sees 130,000 operations annually. Suggestions in the state land-use planning guide would prevent the development, but the airport land-use plan is not updated and therefore not in accordance with the state guidelines.
City and county officials will find their phones busy with noise complaints from Bressi Ranch residents if the development is allowed, Dunn said.
Rialto Municipal Airport closure fought
Yet another government body fails to understand that if federal funds are accepted for airport development, the airport then falls under federal grant obligations that keep it open. The City of Rialto wants to close Rialto Municipal Airport/Miro Field so that it can be developed.
AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer and Airport Support Network volunteer Lyn Mattox recently witnessed nonaviation businesses already in operation on the airport property. The city continues with its planning, despite restrictions linked to more than $15 million in federal grant money relating to the airport. Half of it was used for land acquisition.
AOPA is continuing to talk to FAA officials in California and Washington, D.C., and plans to issue a letter to city officials from AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn.
Long Beach residential fight continues
AOPA and Airport Support Network volunteer Candy Robinson have their work cut out for them, now that the Long Beach City Council has approved plans to proceed with Douglas Park, a community of 1,400 homes and nonaviation commercial businesses to be built on land formerly occupied by Boeing north of the airport.
Unfortunately the land was not included in the Long Beach Airport/Daugherty Field land-use plan because it was assumed the land would always be used for aviation interests. Therefore the airport land-use commission, which recommended against Douglas Park approval, has no jurisdiction in the case.
The issue is not over, and Robinson, along with AOPA officials, will continue to speak out against the project.
Harassment reported at Oceanside Municipal Airport
An anonymous complainer has begun a campaign against pilots at Oceanside Municipal Airport. Pilots have received harassing mail apparently in a campaign against noise. At the same time, false radio calls have been made for a bogus aircraft in the airport traffic pattern, apparently another effort to harass pilots. The Oceanside Airport Association asks that all such incidents be reported immediately, and that mail received be reported to the association.
Proposed school at Oxnard fought
The Oxnard Airport Association and AOPA ASN volunteer Stephen Sarchett have filed a complaint with the Ventura County Grand Jury opposing plans by the local Board of Education to build an elementary school under the Oxnard Airport traffic pattern. The board approved the school despite testimony from expert witnesses citing safety concerns. The grand jury is now investigating the complaint. AOPA had previously opposed the school location.
Development proposed near Placerville Airport
AOPA ASN volunteer Claudette Colwell has discovered a proposed residential development plan that is located adjacent to Placerville Airport. The land has not yet been rezoned for this kind of use. Colwell has received information on land-use guidelines and federal regulations from AOPA Regional Representative John Pfeifer in preparation for any action required. Local representatives and state aviation officials will be alerted to the development plans.
Upcoming aviation events in California
February
6 — Santa Paula. Santa Paula Airport (SZP). Gay Pilots Fly-In and Lunch. Call 760/754-0152.
10-12 — Ontario. Ontario Convention Center and Visitors Bureau. Soaring Society of America National Convention. Call 505/392-1177.
March
13 — Lancaster. William J. Fox Airport (WJF). St. Patrick's Day Poker Run. Call 661/949-8872.
"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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