Click on image to enlarge proclamation.
Oceanside CA— On Tuesday, The Alliance for Aviation Across America commended Mayor Jim Wood of Oceanside, California for proclaiming May “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In California, general aviation contributes over $30.2 billion to the state’s total economic impact.
“Mayor Wood’s proclamation helps highlight the economic benefits and valuable service that general aviation provides to Oceanside and the State of California,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “We sincerely thank the Mayor and the City of Oceanside for recognizing this vital industry.”
About The Alliance for Aviation Across America
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
OAA Hosts Two MiraCosta College Interns
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Last summer the Oceanside Airport Association joined forces with faculty members at Mira Costa College to develop and award two paid internships. Learning objectives were established which required study of FAA organizations, processes and funding mechanisms, flight standards and Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures (VNAP), airport design standards & planning, and more. Justin Morris a student in the Computer Science program, was selected and given the collateral project of increasing the Association’s “web presence”.
Our second intern was Gilberto Perez, a decorated USMC veteran and student from the Mira Costa’s Architecture & Design program. Gilberto attended the public reviews of the draft Airport Master Plan, then developed an alternative airport design that emphasized community desires. He has prepared an architectural model of that design which is temporarily located at the School of Architecture & Design at Cal Poly Pomona, where Gilberto now studies.
Flight Scholarship for Local Teens
It’s that time of year to get the word out about our Jack Cassan flight scholarship, open to North County high school students. This flight scholarship is given in memoriam to Jack Cassan, a community leader and activist who aggressively supported the Oceanside Municipal Airport. The scholarship is designed to promote the aviation interests and career pursuits of local high school students and will only be awarded to those who have demonstrated a strong interest in aviation and are passionate about becoming a pilot. Our members are encouraged to “Spread the Word” about our offerings. Please direct interested teens to our online application [Here]
From the President
The Oceanside Airport Association is excited to make this another successful year, as we prepare to offer the Jack Cassan flight scholarship to local high school students. The success of our organization comes from the hard work of members and volunteers. Our board wants you to know that your participation and support makes a difference. Without your donations and hard work Oceanside Airport would have long ago become an auto-plex or shopping mall.
Volunteers interested in supporting the airport and local aviation are always needed. All of our efforts are focused on ensuring that the airport is operated and developed to it’s full potential as a community asset that can be enjoyed by both the flying and non-flying public.
Jim Wallace Completes 25,000th Jump at KOKB
Temecula resident and legendary skydiver Jim Wallace completed his 25th thousand jump at KOKB in November. Wallace was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame in September 2013. He became a USPA-rated instructor in 1982 and opened his own skydiving instruction school in 1992. He holds 11 world formation skydiving records and is a commercial pilot. Congratulations, Jim!
“The airport runway is the most important Mainstreet in any town.”
— Norm Crabtree, former aviation director for the state of Ohio.
Andy Hansen Receives Aviation Leadership Award
Last month during a surprise ceremony, Board Member, Andy Hansen, was given the OAA’s “Aviation Leadership” Award in recognition for his more than ten years of service to Oceanside Airport and our association. Andy became a board member in 2004 and was elected to VP the following year. Over the years Andy has also served as chairperson for our Scholarship Committee and has been the lead organizer for the numerous community outreach events held at the airport.
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Andy and his wife Nancy have done everything from flipping burgers to parking show cars in order to help the airport increase it’s standing with tenants, neighbors and local elected officials. Andy retired from the USMC in 1998 after 20 years as a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot. Shortly after retiring Andy began flying for Lusardi Construction where he is now Chief Pilot captaining a Challenger 300 business jet.
On weekends you can find Andy and Nancy at local car shows where they won’t be far away from an immaculately restored 1962 Chevy Impalla SS. Thank you Andy and Nancy for your years of tireless support.
OAA General Membership Meeting
The Oceanside Airport Association Board of Directors has scheduled our next annual General Membership Meeting for 10:30 Saturday morning on 4 June. The meeting will be held in the Oceanside Library Community Room located at 3861-B Mission Ave. (“Sandwiched” between the Oceanside Police Department and the Library’s Mission Branch.) The agenda for the meeting will include a briefing on Master Plan status & issues, association, 2016 planning and an election of officers. Seating is limited and is reserved for current members of the association only (ie dues current 15 days prior to meeting).
City Adopts New System for Input of Public Comments On Agenda Items
Oceanside citizens may now submit comments on city council agenda items in advance of council meetings by using a new web portal recently launched by city clerk’s office. All comments received via the web will be compiled and provided to council members prior to council meetings. This will provide an excellent way for OAA members to let our council know how we feel regarding agenda items which focus on the airport or on issues which will affect the airport. For more information use the link below.
www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/clerk/position.asp
“For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. “
– Leonardo da Vinci
National Security Areas Over San Diego Bay?
The U.S. Navy is proposing to “discourage” civilian VFR traffic over the San Diego Bay by creating three new National Security Areas (NSAs). The NSAs would be continuously active for aircraft at or below 2800 ft. The NSAs would serve to protect “High Value Units” (HVU) including submarines, aircraft carriers and other ships moored at Pt. Loma, Coronado and South Bay by reducing over flights of low level GA traffic. Local pilots who utilize the San Diego VFR corridor will want to review this proposal carefully. The FAA has published the proposal and has taken public comments. Expect to hear more on the Navy request after FAA completes additional bureaucratic steps. So “Stay Tuned”!!
OAA Free-Use Bike Program, Call ahead
The Oceanside Airport Association has a stable of “Free-Use Airport Bikes”. Pilots, crews and families are encouraged to borrow our bikes and enjoy a ride along the San Luis Rey River to the beach. A dedicated bike trail leads from the airport to the coast, marina and pier. We also have “loaner” helmets and locks.
Specialty bikes are available including tandems, bikes with surfboard carriers, and children’s bikes. There is no fee, all we ask it that you help us spread the word about our great little airport and coastal community.
Visitors who are familiar with our Free-Use Bike program should note that the bike program was temporarily suspended due to hangar construction but is alive, well and now back in business. Aircraft owners and pilots wishing to reserve a bike (or bikes) should call 760-525-0808 a minimum of 24 hours in advance of their ETA.
CBO Installs New Spokesperson
The community group representing homeowners in the neighborhoods north of the airport have appointed a new spokesperson. Joe Webber now heads the Citizens for a Better Oceanside CBO (formerly know as “Citizens Against the Airport ”) and has become vocal about airport issues that impact the community.
Since announcement of the appointment, our board has had several meetings with Mr. Webber where we have outlined a vision for the airport that includes facilities designed for noise attenuation, a common architectural theme, public participation in ALL airport planning activities, changes in helicopter flight patterns, and development of facilities that will better serve the community AND a desired spectrum of aviation users. We are happy to report that OAA and CBO are in full alignment on these and other airport related issues and we look forward to working closely with Joe and the CBO in creating a community asset that all Oceanside residents an enjoy.
Oceanside Now Represented On Palomar Airport Advisory Committee (PAAC)
OAA president, Gordon Nesbitt, was approached by the San Diego County Division of Airports and subsequently asked to serve 3 year term on the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee (PAAC). Topics addressed in recent meetings have included review and approval of airport operational guidelines, minimum standards for airport businesses, polices & procedures, and runway / taxiway redesign & scheduling. The final draft of the Palomar Airport Master Plan will be considered by the PAAC later this year. Gordon has also been interfacing with the Fallbrook Airport Advisory Committee on topics of interest to all North County pilots.
Airport Layout Plan (ALP) Submitted to FAA- Master Plan Drags On
An Airport Layout Plan (ALP) provides a notional airport design and identifies improvements grouped into projects, each of which is to be uniquely funded by FAA, Cal Trans and/or the airport owner/operator. The Oceanside city council approved submittal of the KOKB ALP to the FAA earlier in 2015.
Meanwhile, there is still more work to be done to complete the master plan including adjudication of the last set of public comments. The next meeting of the Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee (where the adjudication process will take place) has yet to be announced. The OAA is a participant and has provided numerous comments, concerns and potential issues relating to the development and content of the draft master plan and the subordinate ALP.
Stay tuned…
Pay your Dues online-It’s quick and easy
Whether you are a pilot or not, whether you own a plane or just love aircraft and flying… You can support the future of General Aviation in Oceanside! Your membership dues, just $15/year will support the operations of the OAA and allow us to continue our scholarship. Donate through our PayPal link or by mailing a check to OAA, P.O. BOX 172 Oceanside, CA 92049. Thank you for your support! Donate $100 or more and receive an OAA pilot’s ball-cap adorned with our distinctive gold winged logo.
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