California's sky cowboys
An old-timey GA airport in Santa Paula
The city itself matches the cowboy energy of the airport. Despite being a short hop away from the lights of Hollywood, the airport is situated just across the interstate from a charming downtown. Single-story brick-and-mortar stores host local Western stores, Mexican restaurants, and even the California Oil Museum—the city served as a hub for early California oil development in the late 1800s.
After you’re finished taking in the town, head over to the edge of the airfield to check out the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula. It’s a small and humble museum open typically only on Sundays, but it hosts a variety of events and get-togethers against the backdrop of photos and memories of the historic airstrip, which dates back to 1928. California pilots are quick to mention the 100LL prices at the airport that tend to be extremely competitive.
Make sure to visit with the local pilots who make the airport truly a special place. Santa Paula is a true community-run airport, as it’s privately owned by the Santa Paula Airport Association and open for public use. But that comes across as its greatest strength, with every pilot with an airplane at the field taking great pride in the airport and its care. 
Santa Paula Airport (SZP)
800 East Santa Maria Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
805-933-1155
Runway 4/22; 2,665 feet by 60 feet, unlit
Attendance: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (No night operations at the airport)
Fuel: 100LL, full and self-service
Mind your manners
The aerobatic box east of Santa Paula Airport (the area is charted) and high terrain necessitate extra caution as you fly in and out of the airport. You should assume the aerobatic area is active anytime the weather is VFR, from sunrise to sunset. Listen and make calls on 122.775 MHz when transitioning through the valley below 5,500 feet msl. Above all else, be extra vigilant with your scan, and practice good see-and-avoid VFR principles.
The fast-rising terrain calls for nonstandard patterns and pattern entries. A good way to get on the nerves of the local pilots is to not check those procedures. The chart supplement contains the basics, such as prohibiting 45-degree entries over the ridge to downwind and overhead crosswind entries from the upwind. More details and a helpful diagram can also be found on the Santa Paula Airport’s website. The website also contains more in-depth information about the aerobatic box.
And of course, be polite to the airport’s neighbors and follow the noise abatement procedures.—IW
santapaulaairport.com
