Dubuque Regional Airport (KDBQ) in Iowa announced on Tuesday that a new carrier will begin serving the city this fall.

Dubuque is located just over 200 miles east of Des Moines and saw a sharp decline in air service coming out of the pandemic. It joins a long list of about 70 other similarly sized markets that American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines also dropped since 2020.

American was the only carrier serving the airport, ending its daily route from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD) in September 2022. At the time, the airport’s director said the airline’s decision to leave the market was due to the “national pilot shortage.”

Regional carriers bore the brunt of the post-pandemic pilot shortage as major airlines hired new aviators at record-setting rates. This rapid movement within the pilot ranks caused some markets—including Dubuque—to lose daily service altogether.

Six months after American exited the market, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Avelo started flights from Dubuque to Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida. These flights were operated less-than-daily and eventually became seasonal.

Avelo was set to return to Dubuque in November 2024 but nixed those plans last month, citing increasing costs in Orlando along with aircraft availability issues.

A New Airline

Earlier this week, Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh announced that Denver Air Connection will launch flights to Chicago O’Hare on November 4. The new route is slated to operate daily on an Embraer E145.

“The return of daily flights to and from a major hub is cause for celebration,” said Cavanagh in a press release. “We are excited to welcome Denver Air Connection to the Dubuque Regional Airport, and I encourage all travelers, whether for leisure or business, to take advantage of the convenient connections across the country and around the world that this service will provide.”

Based in Colorado, Denver Air Connection has continued to expand eastward in recent months. Dubuque will be the carrier’s first market in Iowa.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Iowa Airport Regains Daily Air Service appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The non-tower facility, roughly 10 miles west of Palm Springs International Airport (KPSP), has a 5,000-foot runway. According to the most recent AirNav data (calculated as of year-end 2023), it is home to 22 single-engine aircraft, two multi-engine aircraft and one helicopter. It averages 105 operations per week—75 percent of which are transient.

The city has been trying to close Banning Municipal Airport (KBNG) since 2017, following its 2016 study that concluded: “The airport lacks the necessary infrastructure and demand to remain viable and has become a financial drain on the community.” According to city officials, the study also found that closing the airport “would unlock significant economic potential for the city, paving the way for transformative development and job creation in our region.”

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians tribe owns much of the land adjoining the airport, and the city claims that economic development of that land has been compromised by state-mandated crash zones. Charles Martin, chairman of the tribe, was among those working to close the airport.

Terms of the amendment require the city to repay the FAA for fair market value for 20 acres of airport land it received in a 1983 grant, repay all unamortized airport grant money and redistribute all salvageable airport and aviation equipment to other airports.

Banning Mayor Alberto Sanchez said, “We will be working with the FAA on the process to have an orderly closure of the airport in the coming months. We are working to develop a timeline, however, we do anticipate it will take a bit of time for the process to unfold. We will be working with the current tenants of hangars to ensure that there is a relocation assistance plan, most likely at one of the 14 nearby airports.”

Last year, Banning approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Texas-based Perot Company subsidiary Hillwood Properties to develop the land. Perhaps ironically, Hillwood developed AllianceTexas at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The Hillwood website describes the development as “a 27,000-acre, master-planned development encompassing industrial, logistics, corporate office, retail, aviation, multifamily housing, and more.”

In announcing the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act with the amendment clearing the way for Banning to close its airport, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, D-California., said, “For too long, the Banning Municipal Airport has been a financial drain on the community, preventing redevelopment and economic growth. Now, after years of work, the city of Banning and Morongo Band of Mission Indians can finally unlock untapped economic opportunity blocked by the airport. This is a significant milestone for the city and tribe—and a major step toward creating good new jobs for local residents.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post City Cleared to Begin Phasing Out Banning Municipal Airport appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

I was at Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, working as an aviation reporter. Early that morning I started getting voicemails and emails telling me about the large X’s carved into the runway, rendering it unusable and trapping a handful of aircraft based there.

One of the first to see the damage was a pilot who had planned to land at Meigs but had to divert to another location. He reported the damage to a surprised air traffic controller who, like himself, was not aware that Meigs had been destroyed.

The abrupt closure took airport employees by surprise as well. One of the Meigs tower controllers told a local news outlet that he learned he was out of a job while driving into work and heard a local radio station reporting on the damaged runway.

• READ MORE: ‘Remember Meigs Field’

At Sun ’n Fun, which is the second-largest aviation convention in the U.S., the destruction was talked about somberly. How could this have happened? 

We quickly learned that the heavy equipment operators that came to the airport under the cloak of darkness and dug those massive ditches into the runway were acting on orders from then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Daley was not the first Chicago politician to propose the closure of Meigs Field.

In the 1980s, Mayor Jane Byrne suggested closing the airport and turning the property into a park. Local pilots, aviation advocacy groups, and businesses that appreciated the convenience of an airport so close to downtown objected to the idea.

In addition, the FAA noted that the airport had received agency grants, and each grant carried an assurance that it would remain open a set amount of time—usually 25 years—so that the grants can be amortized. At the time, the airport had most recently accepted a grant in 1976. In theory, the earliest the airport could be closed was 2001.

Meigs Field History

The airport was built shortly after World War II on Northerly Island, a human-made peninsula minutes from downtown Chicago. The airport had a single runway measuring 3,900 feet by 150 feet. In 1952, the airport was named after Merrill C. Meigs, publisher of the Chicago Herald-Examiner newspaper and an aviation enthusiast. 

The land, which is owned by the Chicago Park District, was leased for the airport. The location being so close to downtown Chicago made it popular for businesses, medical flights, and for a short time, commercial aviation. It was so busy that a control tower and two instrument approaches were added. By the late 1990s, commercial aviation had given way to general aviation and medevac flights. Meigs was also popular in the virtual aviation world, as it was the default airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

In 1994, Daley revived the idea of closing the airport and redeveloping its 75 acres into a park. The FAA reminded the city that it had accepted FAA funding for improvements and by doing so agreed to grant assurances that stipulated the airport remain open.

• READ MORE: City Council Votes To Close Santa Monica Airport

Daley continued to push for closure, and in 1996, the Chicago Park District refused to renew the lease for the airport. Large X’s were painted on the runway identifying the airport as closed. 

In response, the Illinois  Legislature and the FAA strongly opposed the action, and the combined pressure resulted in the reopening of the airport. The painted X’s were removed and the airport resumed operations. The understanding was that the facility would remain open until at least 2026.

Aviation organizations loudly defended the airport and its convenience for downtown businesses, yet the threat of closure remained. The pilots attending the Meet the Administrator public forums at EAA AirVenture held up large red-and-white signs that read “SAVE MEIGS FIELD” to get their point across.

Aviation groups such as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) continued to watch the airport. The FAA repeatedly noted that it  is in the business of protecting airports, not closing them, reminding the city of Chicago that the grant assurances stipulated the facility stay open. In addition, FAA regulations state that closure of an airport that includes an instrument approach—Meigs had two—requires a 30 days notice prior to shutdown, which was never given.

Aviation advocacy groups were quick to respond to the airport’s destruction. Phil Boyer, AOPA’s president at the time, called out Daley for what Boyer called a lack of honor: “The sneaky way he did this shows that he knows it was wrong.”

EAA president Tom Poberezny was attending Sun ’n Fun when he heard about Meigs Field. Within two weeks, the organization became part of a GA coalition that lobbied the U.S. Senate to support the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act, which called for the codifying of the historical political agreement between then-Illinois Governor George Ryan and Daley to preserve Meigs Field for another 25 years.

Meanwhile, Daley defended his actions, claiming the destruction was done “due to safety concerns,” citing a potential terrorist attack similar to 9/11 when terrorists used aircraft to attack the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. This story was quickly discounted when the Department of Homeland Security stated that the airport’s proximity to downtown Chicago was not a risk and that no threats had been made against the city.

Daley then told multiple media outlets that the abrupt closure was done as a means to prevent lengthy and costly litigation as various entities fought to keep the airport open.

For several months, pilot organizations and aviation groups lobbied for the repair of the runway and the reopening of Meigs Field, but it was not to be.

Several weeks after the forced closure, which became known as “Daley’s Midnight Raid” in aviation circles, the FAA gave permission for the 16 aircraft left stranded to depart using the taxiway as a runway.

That was not the last time aircraft used the facility, however.

In July 2003 a pilot on the way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, experienced mechanical trouble and made an emergency landing in the grass next to the remains of the Meigs runway. Daley accused the pilot of intentionally landing there as a publicity stunt to “embarrass him.” The pilot maintained that he had engine trouble, and the grass infield was the most suitable place for an emergency landing. The FAA sided with the pilot’s interpretation.

In August 2003, the demolition of the remaining infrastructure of Meigs Field began. Today, it is a park.

Even in the virtual world, Meigs in MSFS is gone—lost to the ages.

A Cautionary Tale

In 2005, the FAA fined Chicago $33,000 for closing an airport with a charted instrument approach without giving the required 30-day notice. At the time, the maximum fine the agency could levy by law was $1,100 per day. The city of Chicago appealed the fine, and aviation advocacy groups and elected representatives were quick to note its amount. Some $33,000 was “pocket change”’ to many municipalities that wanted to close the local airport.

In response, the Meigs Legacy Provision was passed as part of an FAA reauthorization bill. The provision increased the maximum fine per day from $1,100 to $10,000 per day for illegal airport closures.

In September 2006, the city dropped all legal appeals and agreed to pay the $33,000 fine, as well as to repay the FAA for the $1 million of Airport Improvement Program (AIP_ funds that were used to demolish the airport and build Northerly Island Park.

Meigs Field’s saga serves as a warning whenever other airports are threatened. The message is clear: It could happen here.

“Remember Meigs Field!” has become the battle cry of endangered airports.

Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) and Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV)—both in California—come to mind. Both airports date to the early days of aviation. When they were built, they were in farm fields away from the city. Today, they are surrounded by industrial and residential development. And both are facing threats of closure from their elected city and county officials.

The post The Cautionary Tale of the Destruction of Meigs Field appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A location for next year has not been announced.

The airport was built in 1942. The races have been held at Reno-Stead since 1964, when it was known as Stead Air Force Base. Today, the airport is shared by the military and civilians as a general aviation airport.

“It is with heavy hearts that we write this to let you know that, after nearly 60 years of air racing in northern Nevada, 2023 will be the last National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport,” RARA said in a statement Thursday. “While we knew this day might eventually come, we had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. Citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) has made the decision to sunset the event.”

“We are grateful for our time at the Reno-Stead Airport and our partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority that made the event possible,” the organization added.

• READ MORE: The Pilots of STOL Drag

FLYING made multiple attempts to reach someone from the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority but our calls were not returned before press time.

Knew It Was Coming

The races bring in millions of dollars to the local economy as thousands of aviation fans and racers flock to the area. RARA is encouraging the public and the race regulars to come to the last event.

“We knew it was coming,” said Marilyn Dash, who has competed in the races and been a spectator for 25 years.

Dash attributes the RTAA’s decision to terminate the lease for the races on the encroachment that has been happening since the 1960s, saying the neighborhoods and homes pop up every year, getting closer to the buffer zone around the race courses, which extend approximately 10 miles from the airport.

Safety Concerns

Over the years, aircraft accidents, some of them high profile, have raised safety concerns.

On September 16, 2011, the highly modified P-51 Galloping Ghost crashed in front of the box seats, killing 11 people—including the pilot—and injuring at least 64 others, some of whom by shrapnel created when the aircraft plunged onto the ramp and disintegrated. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that worn-out parts and untested modifications led to the pilot’s loss of control and subsequent accident.

• READ MORE: The Draw of STOL Drag

Last year on September 18, an Aero Vodochody L-29 crashed during a race, killing the pilot. According to the NTSB report, the aircraft was competing in Race 29, and on lap 3 of 6, entered a climb as it neared outer pylon No. 4. The aircraft steeped its bank to approximately 90 degrees, and started a descent, then rolled left to an approximate 90-degree bank and continued rolling until it struck the ground in a nose-low attitude just outside pylon No. 5. The aircraft exploded on impact.

Vintage Aircraft

In addition to the highly modified, highly specialized racing airplanes, Reno was a great place to view award winning vintage aircraft, says Ron Kaplan, executive director at Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center. 

Kaplan has been involved in the races since he was part of the Miss America P-51 Air Racing Team in the mid-1990s. In 1998, Kaplan and Mike Houghton, then CEO of RARA, were with the Smithsonian, NAHF, and Rolls-Royce, and they co-founded the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Owners of airworthy vintage aircraft were invited to fly to the event and have their aircraft judged, similar to how it is done at EAA AirVenture each year.

“We would literally host 25 to 35 flying museum pieces each year. And running into the likes of  our enshrinees added to the allure, for everyone—spectators, sponsors, participants,” said Kaplan, who served as the NAHI deputy director up until his retirement last year.

Reno often attracted aviation and aerospace legends, such as Paul Tibbets, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Bud Anderson, Don Lopez, Gene Cernan, Herb Kelleher, Patrick Brady “and many, many heroes and legends of flight,” Kaplan added. “It was never a hard sell to get true aviation aficionados to join us, and many of them, like Bob Hoover, Hoot Gibson, and Clay Lacy, were regulars, anyway.”

• VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes at the Reno Air Races

One of the highlights of Reno was that the majority of attendees came with an inherent appreciation and understanding of aviation history, Kaplan said.

“That was a major reason the annual ‘People’s Choice Award’ trophy, as voted by the spectators, was almost as popular as the Grand Champion trophy itself.”

Saying Goodbye

It is difficult to imagine the races being held anyplace else, Dash said.

RARA is exploring other venues that accept the 100,000 to 150,000 people that come to the event. 

“I have heard there have been suggestions of moving it to Tonopah, Minden, or Wendover airports,” Dash said. Both Tonopah and Minden Airports are in Nevada; Wendover is in Utah.

The RARA is encouraging racers and race fans to make one more trip to Reno for the last event, “making this year’s event the biggest and most successful it can be,” it said.

The last National Championship Air Races in Reno will take place from September 13 through 17. The organizers say they expect more than 150 airplanes and pilots to attend, as well as several hands-on displays and experiences, including a STEM Education Discovery Zone, the ever popular heritage displays, military demonstrations, and static displays and more.

The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (short take-off and landing) Drag series. Tickets can be purchased here.

“Some teams spend all year working on airplane designs and modifications in preparation for the Reno Air Races, as it is a one of a kind event held in the United States,” says Dash. “This is our last time to get us all together. This is your last year to go—let’s just do it. Let’s send it off with a bang.”

The post Regional Growth Forces Reno Air Races to Look for New Home appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The funding is part of the Airport Terminal Program, which is one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into effect by Biden in November 2021. The law codifies a $25 billion investment into U.S. airports and FAA facilities in the name of maintenance, reducing congestion, and modernizing the National Aerospace System. Investments include $5 billion for facilities and equipment, $15 billion for the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program, and $5 billion for the Airport Terminal Program.

The law provides $1 billion for Airport Terminal Program grants each year, for five years. 

On the ground side, projects earmarked in the latest awards include new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints, improved ground transportation, improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and increased terminal sustainability.

On the airside, several grants are earmarked to address the needs of aging air traffic control towers.

The money is destined for airports in 47 states and two territories.

‘‘Americans deserve the best airports in the world, and with demand for air travel surging back, this funding to improve the passenger experience couldn’t come at a more urgent time,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These grants will make it faster and easier to check your bags, get through security and find your gate, all while creating jobs and supporting local economies.”

The Projects

Many grants will be used to update, expand, or build new airport terminals, including:

• $10.8 million to Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) in Iowa to begin the replacement of the 1940s-era building that is currently operating above capacity.
• $29 million to Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) in Utah to assist with a phased-in terminal and north concourse development that will add 16 new gates and five permanent hardstand positions.
• $10 million to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) in Florida for a terminal expansion that will add new security checkpoint lanes, gates, and an energy-efficient power plant.
• $6.5 million to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) in Georgia to expand security screening facilities to reduce wait times for travelers.
• $50 million to O’Hare International Airport (KORD) in Illinois for improvements to the 60-year-old terminal by reconfiguring TSA checkpoints, adding restrooms, making the facility more ADA compliant, and improving the passenger baggage system.
• $5 million to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (KCAE) in South Carolina to expand the terminal to add another TSA security screening checkpoint.
• $16 million to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA) in Washington to relocate the Security Checkpoint 1 from the ticketing level to the lower baggage claim level, which will provide additional screening capacity and reduce wait times.

Several airports will be receiving grants to upgrade baggage facilities or expand their terminals, including:

• $4.4 million to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC) in Anchorage, Alaska.
• $4.3 million to Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (KLAW) in Lawton, Oklahoma.
• $38 million to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI) in Baltimore, Maryland.
• $5 million to Bradley International Airport (KBDL) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
• $13.3 million to Key West International Airport (KEYW) in Key West, Florida:

Tower Upgrades

Six grants have been awarded to airports to refurbish their air traffic control towers. Among those are:

• $500,000 to Chennault International Airport (KCWF) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the replacement of the exterior metal panel rain screen to protect the tower’s electrical, mechanical, and communication equipment.
• $4.5 million to Rosecrans Memorial Airport (KSTJ) in St. Joseph, Missouri, to relocate the existing tower above the 100-year floodplain and reconstruct it to be more energy efficient and more energy compliant.
• $2 million to Albany International Airport (KALB) in New York to upgrade and replace the existing tower’s mechanical, electrical, and HVAC building systems.

General Aviation Grants

Some of the grants are targeted for improvements that serve the general aviation community, including:

• $950,000 to Ashley Municipal Airport (KASY) in North Dakota to construct a new 500-square-foot general aviation terminal building for passengers and flight crews.

The post FAA To Invest Nearly $1 Billion in U.S. Airport Infrastructure appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The brewery, which has two other locations in the area (all within a 45-mile radius), celebrated the tapping of its Wheelz Up IPA on Thursday, February 23, which it is advertising as the “first beer brewed in a general aviation airport.” The ale was brewed on-site at its airport location. The airport is one of the busiest airports in Illinois, after Chicago O’Hare and Midway. 

Abby Ancell, managing partner for the brewery, says it is a relatively new business—it’s been just under nine years since the first location opened. “We’re all cyclists,” she said of the business’s owners. “And when we opened our first location, it was really a spot for us to drink craft beer and eat good food. There weren’t a lot of craft breweries anywhere in southern Illinois at the time.” 

Ancell said that Linda Shafer, wife of KMDH airport manager Gary Shafer, was a patron of the brewery and introduced her husband to its managers. The couple’s interest led to the idea of setting up a brewery location at the airport not only to give aviators stopping in for gas a place to have a meal, but also to foster a relationship between the local community and members of the aviation community. 

The planning process started five years ago, concurrent with the development of a new terminal at the airport. The opening of the brewery was delayed by the pandemic, but it came about in May 2022. 

• Read More: Beer That’s Out Of This World: Billionaire Pilot Is Sending Hops Into Space For Charity

“He came to us with this offer we couldn’t refuse,” Ancell said with a chuckle. “He felt there was no better way to bring [these community groups] together than food and beverage. Everyone likes to eat!” He saw it as an economic development opportunity for the airport. 

“They have been wonderful to work with,” Ancell said of the airport staff. “Just being in on how their vision and how they’re continuing to expand is amazing.”

For aviators who want to sample the brewery’s cocktails or craft brews, there are plenty of options for lodging and exploring the region. “We are right in the heart of Shawnee National Forest, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the country,” Ancell said. “I mean—waterfalls, great hiking, little towns full of character and boardwalks are just 20 minutes away. And Carbondale is a unique, funky college town.” 

There are a variety of bed and breakfast and Airbnb options for visitors who’d like to stay in a nearby town, or even cabins in the national forest, Ancell said. Brewery staff and FBO employees love to help pilots connect the dots, including finding transportation options on the ground, she added. 

For visitors who aren’t beer enthusiasts, the brewery offers a full bar with unique craft cocktails. 

“Our bar manager is a mixologist who comes up with these delicious cocktails made from local ingredients,” Ancell said. “You would think you’re in a city, but you don’t have to pay $20 for [a drink].”

Southern Illinois University school of aviation trains students at KMDH, “so we get to watch their students and other pilots in training fly all day long, and it’s inspiring to see these young people with all this responsibility and passion,” said Ancell. Many of the students work part-time for St. Nicholas to help offset the cost of their training. In fact, almost all of the staff members are SIU students, Ancell said. 

This adds another link with members of the Carbondale community, who come in to eat and get to talk to student pilot servers about aviation. “They’re so interested in this world,” Ancell said of the locals. “The students love talking about [aviation], and the guests love hearing about it, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

The brewery has hosted events from graduation parties and rehearsal dinners to regional economic development meetings, and Ancell said they are working on future collaborations and events. They plan to host a fly-in and viewing event for the 2024 solar eclipse. 

St. Nicholas Brewing Co is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with the bar open later), and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. In addition to indoor dining, the brewery offers seating just off the ramp. There is a bar facing the runway. To make reservations, call (618) 529-3142. A menu and calendar of events may be found here.

A Reminder for Responsible Aviators

FAA alcohol regulations stipulate in FAR 91.17 that a pilot may not fly while under the influence of alcohol or with a blood content higher than .04%, and must wait a minimum of 8 hours after consuming alcoholic beverages before flying. Further, someone who is or appears intoxicated may not be carried as a passenger in a civil aircraft. Be aware that it could take longer than the minimum time to process the alcohol in your system and you could still be impaired after 8 hours have passed. Some pilots may need 12 to 24 hours alcohol-free before acting as pilot-in-command, and some operators require 12 hours. 

The post Illinois GA Airport Unveils New Brew appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The vote, which occurred January 24, was greenlit by an agreement made in 2017 between the FAA and city officials allowing the closure to happen.

According to the FAA, the 2017 agreement “requires the city to maintain continuous and stable operation of the airport for 12 years, until December 31, 2028, and after that the city has the right to close the airport.” The agreement also stipulated that the runway at KSMO be shortened from 4,973 feet to the current 3,500 feet.

Aviation groups, including the California Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), voiced strong opposition to the reduction in runway length, noting that it would make KSMO unusable for jets that require at least 4,000 feet to operate.

At the time, tensions were high between airport businesses such as flight schools and the city, because the city offered only month-to-month leases. Several flight schools and the airport restaurant closed as such lease terms are not tenable in a business environment.

As part of the city’s 2017 agreement with the FAA, the city agreed to allow leases of no less than three years in duration.

The announcement that the city was pursuing closure proceedings in 2028 did not come as a surprise to many in the aviation community, many of whom took to social media to share the news.

About the Property

Santa Monica Municipal Airport covers approximately 227 acres. It was opened in 1922, making it one of the oldest continually operating airports in the U.S. KSMO has one runway, 03/21, measuring 3,500 feet by 150 feet. At one time, the airport was the home of the Douglas Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of the iconic DC-3.

As early as 1958 there were signs the airport was becoming a bone of contention in the southern California community, as that year Donald Douglas asked the city for permission to extend the runway so that the factory could produce the DC-8, one of the first jet-powered transport category aircraft poised for commercial passenger operations. City officials refused, and Douglas relocated its primary factory to Long Beach, California.

Santa Monica became a general aviation airport and reliever field for Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), located approximately six miles away.

Over the years several neighborhood groups sprang up in opposition to the airport, arguing that the airport, which had been built when it was surrounded by ranches and orchards, was too close to residential neighborhoods—though many homes had been built nearby to house Douglas employees. The anti-airport groups highlighted aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution as reasons to close the field. The pilot community tried to work with the city and neighborhood groups, and Santa Monica became one of the first airports to be known for voluntary noise abatement procedures.

Long, Slow Death

In the 1970s, city officials argued with the FAA that the municipality should have the right to close the airport and redevelop the land, as most of the residents in the city did not want it in their neighborhood. The FAA argued that the airport was part of the nation’s transportation infrastructure and required to remain open to satisfy grant assurances.

In 2016 the airport tenants and aviation advocacy groups such as AOPA and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) filed complaints against the city for violating leasing policies, implementing an unjust landing fee structure, and diverting airport revenues.

The claims were investigated, and in 2019 Kevin Willis, director of the Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis of the FAA, concluded that the city was in non-compliance with federal grant assurances with respect to loans that the city claims it made to the airport, and rates for the airport’s landing fees might not be in compliance with grant assurance rules.

FLYING made several attempts to reach representatives from local aviation groups, including the California Pilots Association, but our inquiries were not answered by press time.

The airport is home to the Museum of Flying at Santa Monica, founded by Donald Douglas Jr., the second president of Douglas Aircraft.

According to Airnav.com, there are 74 aircraft based at the airport. The page also includes information about the airport’s noise curfew and noise abatement procedures. It includes a link to a page with a list of aircraft banned from the airport because they exceed the maximum noise level of 95.0 decibels.

The City’s Plans

According to a statement from the city, the airport site will likely be redeveloped for open space, as Measure LC, passed by Santa Monica voters in 2014, allows the city council to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities. Real estate development is prohibited on airport land unless approved by voters.

The airport accounts for 4.3 percent of the city’s land.

“We know this is an asset Santa Monicans care about,” said Mayor Gleam Davis, “and we want to work together to set goals and priorities to meet diverse community needs for the next several generations.”

City officials have outlined a timeline for the airport closure project:

• Consultant Selection: Summer 2023
• Project Initiation: Winter 2023
• Existing Conditions: Spring 2024
• Scenario Planning (Preferred Scenario Approved): Spring/Summer 2026
• Specific Plan Initiation: Fall/Winter 2026
• Consent Decree Airport Closure Authorization: Winter 2028
• Specific Plan Adoption: Fall 2028-2033 or beyond

City officials will soon begin looking for qualified firms to help develop the land and will seek input from the community. This will be followed by a request for proposals that will allow community members and stakeholders to have input on the project.

The post City Council Votes To Close Santa Monica Airport appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

As of this week, Yingling will subsidize a portion of training for its personnel—including ground school and aircraft rental—towards a private or commercial certificate, and/or an instrument rating.

“This is an exciting partnership between Yingling Aviation and Ortega Aviation Services. Putting together a Yingling Aviation Flying Club for our employees has been on the list for a while,” said Andrew Nichols, president of Yingling Aviation, in a statement. “We’ve been waiting for the right partner and are thrilled that Ortega Aviation Services can satisfy all our needs. From rental to discovery flights, to training in simulators, and their modern aircraft fleet, I can tell you our employees are excited and ready to get flying!” 

Celebrating Three Years

Launched in the fall of 2019, OAS owns and operates a fleet of two G1000-equipped Cessna 172 Skyhawks, a G3X Piper Pilot 100i, and a G1000-equipped Diamond DA42 Twinstar, and they’re all available for student training. The company offers single- and multi-engine ratings, and makes use of its Frasca AATD configurable simulator, a G1000 simulator, a G1000 Legacy and NXi systems trainer, and a Garmin cross-country training simulator. 

“We certainly value our relationship with Yingling and are excited to grow our partnership beyond the care of our OAS fleet,” said Teresa Ortega, managing partner of Ortega Aviation Services. “Building a successful flying club to help pilots realize their dream, and further enhance the future of aviation in the Wichita community, is a privilege we are very proud to be a part of.” 

While flight schools holding out to the public have been somewhat off and on at airport over the past 20 years, the flying club concept has been successful at KICT—and it’s one that the principals at OAS have expertise in, given their background as former members and instructors at the Cessna Employee Flying Club, also based on the field.

Founded by Kirby and Teresa Ortega, who have more than 60 years of combined aviation experience to their credit, OAS offers not only primary training but also advanced turbine training in Cessna Citations and Caravans, Hawkers, and Beechcraft jets. With their boutique approach to flight training, the team is well poised to craft a flying club experience tailored to a specific business, which may be the way that training is best able to work on Wichita’s largest commercial airport.

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The new deicing pads are large enough to accommodate a dozen wide-body cargo aircraft simultaneously, the Department Of Transportation said.

Buttigieg joined federal, state and local business leaders at the airport Tuesday to mark completion of the project that is strategically geared toward keeping the supply chain intact this winter at FedEx’s largest air cargo sorting facility. 

“This holiday season and every season, it’s critical that American families and businesses get the goods they need when they need them,” Buttigieg said in a statement. “Memphis International Airport is the biggest cargo airport in the country, and this innovative aircraft deicing facility is one of the many ways we’re modernizing America’s supply chains.”

• READ MORE: New Study Reveals 10 Busiest Airports In the World

Innovative Deicing Pads

The deicing pads are designed to make operations more efficient. Message boards, for example, eliminate the need for audio communication with pilots, DOT said. Additionally, taxiway lead-in lights eliminate the need for follow-me vehicles or marshallers, and infrared cameras help position airplanes in deicing bays. 

• READ MORE: Why Did FedEx Ask the FAA About Installing Lasers on Airplanes?

“Innovative projects like this are key to improving safety, increasing efficiency, and advancing sustainability across the country,” Deputy FAA Administrator A. Bradley Mims said.

The new deicing pads will also have a segregated drainage system and containers to collect fluid, which the city will use to sanitize city wastewater.

Richard Smith, president, and CEO of FedEx Express, expressed gratitude for the investment and the impact it would have on his cargo airline.

“We want to thank the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Memphis International Airport for their support of this new Consolidated Deicing Facility—an example of how to deploy technology to improve operational efficiency,” Smith said. “The timing could not be better as FedEx enters the busy holiday season.”

Winter is Coming

The Memphis project is one of several investments being made with winter weather in mind. Last week, the FAA and DOT awarded more than $76.2 million to airports to equip them with snow plows, deicing equipment, and new or upgraded buildings for equipment storage for the winter season.

• READ MORE: How to Winterize Your Flying

Of that, approximately $46.2 million will be used to purchase snow removal equipment, another $13.6 million will be used to develop deicing facilities, and the final $16.4 million will construct and renovate buildings that house and maintain snow removal equipment. That funding comes from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.

“We can’t let winter weather stop aircraft from safely landing and taking off. This funding will help keep airports operating this winter and safely transport passengers and cargo to their work, families, and vacations,” Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin, P.E. said.

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The airport in Denver is the biggest economic engine for Colorado, which means the new facility will serve an essential role in creating business and career opportunities for the community, Mayor Michael Hancock said. 

“CEEA is a groundbreaking concept that will be instrumental in developing a skilled workforce of the future that will allow our airport to operate effectively and efficiently during its continued growth,” Hancock said.

The 66,000-square foot facility will be built on Level 4 of the Hotel and Transit Center, making it easy to access Denver’s commuter rail station. The space will also feature a Hall of Equity that is big enough to hold 300 people for training and educational sessions. There will be adjacent rooms of similar capacity, the airport said in a statement. Additionally, CEEA will have a pre-function and lobby space with a small café for networking and small group meetings.

The airport has begun implementing some of the center’s future programs, including a business development training academy to provide small business training for potential airport concession businesses. The airport said nearly 30 business owners have completed and graduated from the program as part of the inaugural session this fall. 

The center will also use a progressive training model to attract, recruit and retain students, and will feature a Research and Innovation Lab to spur research and development through partnerships between the airport and local universities.

Phil Washington, who became the airport’s CEO last summer and was also tapped by President Biden recently to become the new FAA administrator, said the facility would serve as a model for the industry for developing aviation talent.

• READ MORE: Phillip Washington Tapped for FAA Administrator Post

“We are committed to providing under-represented people and businesses opportunities to enter the aviation industry and grow into the leaders of the future,” Washington said. “Through CEEA and our robust programming, we will provide current and future employees the training and tools they need to have a successful career in aviation while helping our small and minority-owned business partners grow and thrive.”

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