Santa Monica Airport reopens with shortened runway
Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California has reopened following completion of the second phase of a project to shorten its Runway 3/21 from 4,973 feet to 3,500 feet.
On the airport’s reopening the morning of Dec. 23 after a 10-day closure, multiple notices to airmen were in effect advising pilots of changes to the airport’s layout, operational procedures, and runway amenities such as visual approach guidance equipment on Runway 3.
According to a Letter to Airmen from the Santa Monica Tower, only the VOR-A instrument approach, and visual approaches, will be available until Feb. 1, 2018. All RNAV departures remain available, it said.
The letter advised that distance remaining signage will be located at 1,000-foot increments south of runway 21.
It advised pilots to expect to exit the runway at designated taxiways only, and it listed the locations and designations of new and existing taxiways.
Pilots should be alert to new locations of holding areas to be used during instrument meteorological conditions, said the letter, noting that run-up areas on the east side of the airport “will be other than as noted on published charts.”
The old southeast run-up area will remain in effect, but pilots should expect taxi clearance to the area and “a separate taxi clearance to the runway once the run up is complete.” West side run-up areas are “cut outs in the infield area between A3 & A2, and B3 & B2.”
The FAA urged pilots to request clarification from the Santa Monica control tower when necessary; to ask for help “at any time they are uncertain or think they need additional assistance”; and to review notams before operating at the airport.
AOPA remains determined to keep Santa Monica Municipal Airport open past any secretly negotiated date that might allow closure of the airport, and continues to urge supporters of the airport to work to elect city council members who understand the value and the need for the airport and will support its continued existence long past 2028.
The association recommends that pilots remain vigilant for other possible procedural changes and exercise caution in their operations on the airport during its transition to the new configuration.
