Dear Friend of CalPilots:
California Pilots Association has worked tirelessly to protect airports throughout the state. Although not an exhaustive list, during 2025, CalPilots worked with pilots at Reid Hillview, San Carlos, Hayward, Placerville, Georgetown, Torrance, Whiteman, Santa Monica, South Lake Tahoe and Banning to address various land use issues, fees and potential runway closures. We helped stop the huge Fountain Wind Project in Shasta County. Previously, we participated in yearlong NOAA Bodega Bay Sanctuary Meetings. With CalPilots help, they ultimately concluded that FAA VFR posted altitudes are recommendations only. (Though do try to avoid.) Control of airspace is exclusive to the FAA. This and other issues including unleaded fuel and land use have been discussed at conferences at which we presented. CalPilots monitors FAA 7460 forms for obstacles at our airports. We are engaged with AeroSTEM Aviation Charter school at Sutter Airport to help grow the future of CA Aviation.
Sometimes when seeing the big news, like Santa Monica not only reducing the runway length, but removing pavement we might think, well, that’s their problem at SMO. But the result of Santa Monica’s actions are being felt in Van Nuys, Burbank, LAX, and Hawthorne, which are receiving traffic that used to go to SMO. Similarly, with Torrance, their neighbors aren’t happy about it. With the advent of GPS AWAS approaches, aircraft are all appearing exactly over single points… bringing noise and the potential for an airport shut down.
This year Santa Monica was pressed into firefighting service during the Palisades Fire. Association of CA Airports (ACA) made a video supportive of airports. Our interests dovetail. I serve on ACA Board. Here is link
- https://calairports.org/supporting-front-line-california-2025-wildfires/
CalPilots is asking for your support in this holiday season. Help us protect airports state-wide. By doing so, you help protect our ability to visit out of the way locations, even if your home airport is not threatened. Many municipalities have seen Santa Monica’s success (at trying to close its’ airport) and seek to duplicate it. We value our pilot and non- pilot members as the people who understand flying is not just for business types in corporate jets.
Please make a tax deductible donation to CalPilots today! Here is the link to our Donation page for your convenience.
https://calpilots.org/donations/#!form/Donation Or, you can send a check to CalPilots at the address on the bottom of this letter. We, your all- volunteer board, appreciate your support and participation in our efforts.
Thank you,
Carol Ford
President
The Board of CalPilots
https://calpilots.org/ for more information
