“Supporting Airports, Strengthening Communities”
Please check for updates:
* Above obtained from CS SW OCT 31, 2024
Historical Perspective:
About the photos - Special to SCAUWG.ORG from Matthew Stone - "The first two images and last are from--of all things--a cigarette matchbook issued on behalf of Whiteman Air Park, undoubtedly by Marvin Whiteman has Whiteman's name stylized as he had it in his company signs. This little matchbook gave remarkably detailed pattern info for WHP (which was using its old runway then (I would guess 18/36)), such as its 800 ft TPA.
The other photos date to much later...the late 1960s and show the surrounding area. The most notable feature of these are the first clear views of Whiteman's racetrack. (Per Jim Miller, Marvin Whiteman had put that project together on the basis of his own involvement with stock cars and to keep racing nearby but off the streets.)" - M.S.
01/31/2026 "... I snapped photos of the historical advertisement posters present in the WHP terminal that lean into the past just as the matchbook does." -Mathew Stone
Historical Posters photographed by Matthew Stone
Special Notices:
This Page (2) was Added 01/14/2026 For Whiteman Airport Page 1 Please Click Here
News, Challenges, Events & Correspondence:
04/30/2026 Supervisors to take up additional safety provisions at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima - From Daily News - "The motion, to be heard May 5, comes after a plane crashed near the airport, critically injuring the pilot and knocking out power to the neighborhood" Editorial Note: Congratulations to the Daily News. This article reflects airport coverage in a more balanced tone than the inital sensationalism style that other news sources adopted. Read the article Here
4/30/2026 From Supervisor Horvath's website 4/30/2026 - A proven source of anti-airport sentiment, and the force behind a freeze upon accepting Federal funds for airport improvement, now desires to be portrayed as a proponent of airport safety. The County has been under considerable criticism from City Councilmember Monica Rodriquez for improper airport management. Perceived as a longtime political ally of Supervisor Horvath, it is questionable whether the Supervisor is reacting to City Council criticism, or the criticism of those promoting the airport
Unfortunately, at the time of publishing the links to the motion did not work.
04/29/2026 EDITORIAL OPINION: 'Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive' - Sir Walter Scott, 1808 from his poem, "Marmion." Today, in modern times, we might be familiar with the expression "Damage control." Though most certainly Supervisor Horvath was not in office when first there was a power line strike years ago on the approach to Whiteman Airport, through no fault of the airport, forces aligned now with the supervisor lobbied against putting those lines underground, as well as declaring federal funds should not be accepted for the completion of projects they originally argued for. Over the past couple of years, a large list of airport related improvements has surfaced. Those projects remain stalled because Supervisor Horvath denied the opportunity to fund 90-95% of the needed projects with Federal funds made available via FAA Grants.
This, for a time remained conjecture, as public records requests yielded no specific written order to withhold the application for funding. Recent investigation however has affirmed that Supervisor Horvath has written on her own website the truth. She did so declare. This may be that she was afraid that accepting Federal funds would delay her preferred option of airport closure due to the associated FAA grant assurances. Those obligations were represented by LA County Public Works Dept. as lasting twenty years. Ironically, that too was incorrect, Whiteman Airport has the previously undisclosed benefit of perpetuity, made public by SCAUWG.ORG due to a real estate purchase decided upon in 1998 making the twenty-year obligation to stay open mute. Now public that via a funding freeze Supervisor Horvath planned her goal that still favors real estate development via airport closure. Closing Whiteman airport would result in limiting public emergency responses and potentially causing havoc within the National Airspace System. Her letters (shown below) appear to provide a veil of safety concern without changing her preference for closure. Should Supervisor Horvath now desire to favor airport perpetuity recognizing that the County is contractually bound, SCAUWG.ORG is most willing to report her position here, and to the public media.
04/29/2026 Supervisor Horvath letters to the FAA Administrator and to the chair of the NTSB. - Made available compliments of Matthew Stone
4/29 HORVATH LETTER TO THE FAA
4/29 HORVATH LETTER TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORATION SAFETY BOARD
04/29/2026 Special to SCAUWG.ORG - LA County Aviation Commissioner's Meeting held 4/29 at Whiteman Airport - By Matthew Stone
- Attendance was roughly 40 people plus six Aviation Commissioners, several Public Works staff and two or three media teams (from NBC, Telemundo and I believe ABC7)
- No anti-airport speakers materialized, which the news media later noted with surprise
- The media teams appeared to be filming inside as well as outside
- NBC news report: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yASqDGBzEQc)
- Horvath's team was evasive about a request for information on the FAA funding freeze, per NBC's report
- So far I have not found any hits for ABC7 or Telemundo, but it appears likely they may also report on the matter, perhaps in the morning
- NBC news report: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yASqDGBzEQc)
- Overall, the meeting centered on the Aviation Commissioners as eager now to press for action (and funding) to shore up Whiteman as well as the other county airports for sake of safety
- The Aviation Commission seemed buoyed further on that by sentiments in the room and the taste for it in the surrounding community as well
- It appears the ball is in the Board of Supervisors' court (especially Horvath) to get out of the way of progress and to allow Whiteman to seek and obtain whatever funds it can.
04/29/2026 SCAUWG.ORG RESPONDING TO THE NBC 4 TV YouTube Coverage above and specifically:
04/29/2026 Whiteman Airport Safety – Concerns Raised versus Actions Taken - From San Fernando Sun/el Sol - Commentary by Matthew Stone - "Considering the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol’s extensive reporting on Whiteman Airport recently, greater context is timely and necessary.
Only hours after the April 20th mishap, avowed Whiteman detractors, including LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, as well as nonprofit leaders Veronica Padilla-Campos of Pacoima Beautiful and Roberto Barragan of ICON CDC, began spewing anti-airport politics. Understandably outraged, Angelenos recoiled in disgust at these attempts to politicize the issue.
On social media, these calls to close Whiteman were overwhelmingly panned by Angelenos. Public comments supported Whiteman and ridiculed Rodriguez for opportunistic “grandstanding” with many mocking her stance, likening it to closing roads over car crashes. Rodriguez’ years-long fixation on Whiteman angers many residents when problems such as crime, hazardous vehicles and broken street lighting continue festering in her district.
Everyday Angelenos quickly recognized this accident as an accident and expressed well wishes for the recovering pilot – the only person involved – and thanked his rescuers.
After witnessing regional fire catastrophes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, Angelenos understand how local airports like Whiteman serve as critical infrastructure keeping their families and neighborhoods safe.
For its part, Whiteman has been credited as ‘vital’ to saving Sylmar from last year’s Hurst Fire – something Monica Rodriguez refuses to acknowledge. Likewise, on April 20, a blaze beside Interstate 210 was quickly met by units operating on a routine deployment from Whiteman – the sort of prompt response an airport closure would eliminate.
Whiteman Critics Opposed Safety Improvements
Anti-Whiteman policies not only threaten Los Angeles’ emergency response capabilities and infrastructure – they already have undermined attempts to make Whiteman Airport safer for all.
History shows many Whiteman detractors who complain about its safety today are also responsible for blocking common sense protections for Angelenos – and are continuing to do so.
In 2011, Pacoima Beautiful helped defeat a detailed proposal for runway safety zones. After a fatal crash in these zones’ proposed location, Padilla-Campos boasted the 2011 opposition was the “easiest campaign [Pacoima Beautiful] had ever done.”
In 2023, Padilla-Campos and other Rodriguez appointees to the Whiteman community advisory committee pressed LA County to close the airport and to refuse Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding. LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath complied by disallowing FAA funds – inhibiting repairs, upgrades and mitigation efforts for neighbors and residents.
Although the New York Times quoted her as eager to replace local overhead power lines with underground equipment in response to the devastating 2025 fires, Rodriguez now dismisses the idea.
The long history of Monica Rodriguez and Pacoima Beautiful repeatedly obstructing attempts to make Whiteman safer establish a pattern of bad faith: ‘improving safety’ is merely a talking point for them, not a genuine aspiration.
A Future for Whom?
Previous coverage of Whiteman politics has discussed Angelenos’ “concerns that deals are being struck behind closed doors.”
In 2025, ICONCDC drafted a study proposing various developments on airport land, which drew heavily upon industry insiders’ input and encouraged its audience to “imagine” its highly speculative projected results. This study relies on faulty premises about Whiteman and altogether ignores the airport’s importance to local infrastructure and emergency response.
The study’s framing – focusing on developers’ visions for the future, rather than those of the community at large – gives Angelenos even more reason to fear they are being ignored.
Likewise, public LinkedIn data lists Sylvia DeLuna-Barragan, wife of Roberto Barragan, as bookkeeper for ICONCDC as well as for Pacoima Beautiful and two other nonprofits (associated with Monica Rodriguez and Luz Rivas); this record is likely to ignite locals’ interest.
Whiteman detractors have given Angelenos more than enough reason to be dubious about their motives and intentions.
Matthew Stone is a Los Angeles native and licensed noncommercial pilot with no professional or institutional affiliation with Whiteman Airport. Reprinted here with permission from the author.
04/29/2026 FOCUS ON ICONCDC - Roberto Barragan and his wife Sylvia DeLuna-Barragan in the spotlight
Per the San Fernando Sun/el Sol 4/29/26 article above:
"In 2025, ICONCDC drafted a study proposing various developments on airport land, which drew heavily upon industry insiders’ input and encouraged its audience to “imagine” its highly speculative projected results. This study relies on faulty premises about Whiteman and altogether ignores the airport’s importance to local infrastructure and emergency response.- The study’s framing – focusing on developers’ visions for the future, rather than those of the community at large – gives Angelenos even more reason to fear they are being ignored. - Likewise, public LinkedIn data lists Sylvia DeLuna-Barragan, wife of Roberto Barragan, as bookkeeper for ICONCDC as well as for Pacoima Beautiful and two other nonprofits (associated with Monica Rodriguez and Luz Rivas); this record is likely to ignite locals’ interest."
The following document allegedly illustrates recent fiscal interests. He, by report, seems to advocate for transferring public land at Whiteman Airport into the hands of real estate developers.
Partial Reproduction
View the entire document Here. ICONCDC Audits - Payments to Aquaria FY22-FY25 Pro Publica Report - CLICK HERE
04/28/2026 Yet another piece of published Content - NBC-TV 4 NEWS on YouTube: Here's a news report from NBC4 that covers the virtual press conference that the airport coalition conducted earlier today as well as Roberto Barragan's response to it:
Read the REPORT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWE-DHvTGMI
SCAUWG.ORG Published Comment:
Whiteman Airport Coalition media report
To view the media meeting Click Here or on the image.
04/28/2026 The WAC has issued a Media Advisory and subsequently produced the following Press Release:
Virtual News Conference: Aviation Experts Present Evidence on Whiteman Airport
Speakers included Curt Castagna, Dennis Lord and Christina Pascucci. he link to the online release was available only io a RSVP basis.
04/25/20 To: KTLA NEWS EDITOR:
FEEDBACK/INFO re: HORVATH – Safety Upgrades reported by KTLA “Call for answers after Pacoima plane crash.”
FEEDBACK to KTLA - SEE .PDF for ENTIRE FILE and LIVE LINKS
FEEDBACK TO KTLA - PART2 - SEE PDF for ENITRE FILE and LIVE LINKS
FEEDBACK TO KTLA - SEE PDF for ENTIRE FILE and LIVE LINKS
VIEW THE ENTIRE FILE (pdf) with live links by Clicking HERE,
04/24/2026 On Wednesday April 29. - The L. A. County Aviation Commission will be meeting upstairs at the Airport Administration Building (Vista Building) 10000 Airpark Way, Pacoima, CA 91331. There are a number of items of interest concerning Whiteman Airport and overall management of the five L. A. County owned airports. The Whiteman Airport Coalition will be making a presentation concerning the true facts about Whiteman Airport with regards to value to the community, safety, noise and pollution. Come and learn more about the airport and what efforts are underway to keep it open and operating into the future. The agenda is attached below. (Unfortunately, the meeting is not available online). Agenda Info Here.
PACOIMA FLIGHT ACCIDENT - INITIAL COVERAGE - 4/21/2026
04/23/2026 Blancoleria - Report - Pacoima Accident - (raises question of "forced" landing)
Blancoleria - Vivid Video of the WIRE STRIKE
04/23/2026 KTLA Again: (4/23/26) Flight audio in Pacoima crash raises serious concerns about control tower. From KTLA - "Flight audio recordings appear to indicate the air traffic control tower at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima had no power, and that controllers were unaware of a small plane crash that critically injured a 72-year-old pilot. - The April 20 incident occurred just after 11 a.m., with video capturing the moment a 2007 Cessna clipped power lines while coming in for a landing at the airport, triggering a massive spark and an upside-down crash landing in a parking lot near San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Boulevard. - Good Samaritans who witnessed the crash lifted the wreckage to pull out the pilot, who survived and is said to be in critical condition. - In radio transmissions between another pilot and Whiteman’s air traffic control tower obtained by KTLA, a controller appeared to have no idea the plane had crashed." Read and VIEW the televised entire report Here.
04/24/2026 Commentary re above KTLA Control Tower criticism: "What an allegedly terrible report. Contrary to the catch headline summary, the controller *did* take immediate action (traffic stop) to ensure airspace safety when an unusual situation (power/radar outage) occurred. Here is the full context: the planes ahead and behind the accident aircraft are both white Cessna 172s just like the accident aircraft. All three look practically identical and two have very similar tail numbers as well (26F/19F). When the power outage occurred, the controller responded by immediately stopping pattern operations--a wise move. Criticizing her for missing a momentary flash over 3600 ft away at treetop level which *may not even be visible to her* while she is surprised by the loss of her equipment, and busy addressing the situation is ridiculous." - M.S.
04/21/2026 Feedback for the KTLA 5 News Programming Department In response to KTLA Report Here.
RE: Pacoima Aircraft Accident
1. Charged: Residents want it closed – truth: EVERY nearby Neighborhood council has voted to support the airport by a very wide margin. The representation that RESIDENTS want it closed is flawed.
2. Charged: Monica Rodriquez was reported to claim the LA County airport is mismanaged (by LA County) inferring that a federally certificated accident pilot who intended to land there was the airport’s fault, and the airport should be closed. Yet, the thousands of car accidents in LA City don’t suggest that nearby freeways and streets should be closed.
3. Charged: LA County mismanages the FEDERALLY REGULATED airport and Airspace operations. Truth: LA County manages the facilities and should do a better job, but they are not responsible for approving certificated pilots.
4. City Council member Monica Rodriquez represents the city whose zoning dept. allowed development near the airport, there since the forties. Also, true – Property owners and residents chose to reside near the airport.
5. Whiteman airport played an important role saving lives and property during the LA Fires. Barton Heliport’s Chief is on record saying that efficient operation depends upon the airport being open supporting the airport tower’s role.
6. Besides the emergency services offered, Angel Flight, the CAP Search and Rescue Ops, Air Explorers, EAA & many other community services also find their home at Whiteman. KTLA’s helicopter I believe find its home is Whiteman as well!
7. Whiteman Airport provides revenue that keeps two other L A County airports open that otherwise would have to close.
8. Whiteman Airport is a FEDERAL RELIEVER AIRPORT and plays an important role in the National Airspace System (NAS).
9. Whiteman Airport should not have to endure closure demands allegedly motivated by those with the desire for fiscally profitable redevelopment interests. KTLA should not be a pawn in that game!
10. Whiteman Airport benefits from FEDERAL PERPETUITY that regulates the airport’s undisturbed longevity into the future because of an LA County real estate purchase in 1998. 11. There is much more that can be said…e.g. The recent FAA letter to LA County OED confirming “Perpetuity” and regardless of that advice the OED has allocated a reported 1.5 million dollars for use for a land use study. Redevelopment Interests exist on both the City’s and on the County’s part.
Bottom line: Should the airport close, apx. 400 aircraft would have to relocate. Monica Rodriquez would be happy, but Councilmember Imelda Padilla, whose district includes VAN NUYS Airport, would not be. Whereas the very vast majority of Pacoima Residents support the airport, that even provides free airplane rides for kids monthly, the residents of Van Nuys area (who also support Whiteman) definitely do not support expanding Van Nuys Airport, and would be up in arms!
Respectfully,
Ron Berinstein, Director, The Southern California Aviation United Working Group (SCAUWG.ORG)
04/21/2026 Letter to NTSB from Monica Rodriquez
NTSB LETTER FROM COUNCILMEMBER MONICA RODRIQUEZ
04/20/2026 From ABC-7 EYE WITNESS NEWS:
PACOIMA, Calif. (KABC) -- A small plane snapped a high-voltage power pole before it overturned and crashed Monday morning in the parking lot of a Pacoima auto parts store, officials said. - The pilot, identified only as a male, was transported to a hospital in unknown condition after the crash, which was reported shortly after 11 a.m. in the 10800 block of North San Fernando Road, near Whiteman Airport, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Whether the patient was the aircraft's pilot was unclear. - No other injuries were reported. - High-voltage power lines were down nearby in the area of Ralston Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard, according to the LAFD.
Firefighters were seen covering an apparent fuel spill with hazmat-response gravel near the wreckage of the plane, a white Cessna. The cause of the crash was unknown. - The L.A. Department of Water and Power was working on securing the power to the lines and LAPD are evacuating local businesses and residences as needed for safety, fire officials said.
04/21/2026 NBC 4 TV Coverage: Plane crash in Pacoima renews safety concerns
YouTube video NBC 4 TV Paooima Accident Report 4/21/26
RESPONSE TO NBC-TV ACCIDENT REPORT:
04/21/2026 Supervisor Lindsey Horvath released a statement saying, “The safety of the Pacoima community is our top priority as we learn more about the downed plane at the O’Reilly Auto Parts store on Van Nuys Boulevard. My office is working with Councilwoman Rodriguez’s office, LA County Public Works, and LADWP to address the ongoing nearby power outages. I have called on Public Works to provide updates to surrounding community members. I look forward to receiving information from the National Transportation Safety Board as they conduct their investigation.”
04/21/2026 Monica Rodriquez posts online and the responses: - Compliments of Matthew Stone
Monica Rodriquez social media post 4/21/26
Monica Rodriquez attacks FAA NTSB County 4/21/26
Commentary: "It occurs to me that with perpetuity now announced--regardless of the long term (read: political) threats to perpetuity--the time to call for safety zone and grant funding is now. - Inaction was what PB brought in 2011 and it denied WHP safety zones. Mitigation is something that PB and LA County have blocked since 2023/2024 because of fears about FAA grant terms endangering closure...well with perpetuity now on the table, let's look at safety zones now with federal monies. (After all, the airport is already locked in by these commitments)."
04/16/2026 "On a positive note, the Pacoima Neighborhood Council continues to be a strong supporter of the Airport. They voted to keep the airport open five years ago and last night stated they have not changed their position and continue to support the airport." - James Miller, Friends of Whiteman
04/15/2026 Special to SCAUWG.ORG - Meeting Coverage of the Pacoima Neighborhood Council/WAC Meeting - by Matthew Stone
- There were roughly 40 to 50 attendees in estimated attendance
- The composition of the crowd was overwhelming pro-airport
- News media from CBS appeared to film much of the meeting, though it wasn't aired.
- A substantial fraction of local officials' field deputies, who should be in attendance to brief the neighborhood council on local governance matters and coordination, were absent:
- Teodora Reyes, field deputy for CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar (CA District 20) did not perform this duty; this was not an 'excused' absence, per the NC
- However, Reyes did turn up later during public comment following the Whiteman Airport Coalition presentation to voice her views (presumably on only her own behalf)
- Teodora Reyes, field deputy for CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar (CA District 20) did not perform this duty; this was not an 'excused' absence, per the NC
- During the Whiteman Airport Coalition (WAC) presentation, support for the airport was audible among the crowd
- Topics like pollution, noise and the future of air traffic after a potential closure raised skepticism in the crowd about anti-airport voices' real motivations
- The refusal of anti-airport campaigners (Monica Rodriguez in particular) to explain the intentions about the land has made many very doubtful about their sincerity...they want to know why those seeking closure refuse to answer Angelenos' questions about the anti-airport campaign's plans for WHP's land
- Members of the neighborhood council reacted to the WAC presentation by speaking about their own experiences regarding the airport:
- Neighborhood Councilmember Reuben Garcia (attending via Zoom) stated that the 'real' issue with noise comes from the nearby train tracks and not the airport. Rueben Garcia also emphasized the airport has done outreach for a very long time
- The refusal of Monica Rodriguez and others to explain their anti-airport motivations and plans for the land have generated tremendous distrust against them
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- In addition, Rueben Garcia expressed that the WAC presentation was enlightening for explaining why maintenance of the grounds (trees, signs, ambience, etc.) around the airport has fallen by the way side--willful inaction by the LA County Board of Supervisors
- The County's neglect of Whiteman has caused locals near it to doubt the representation and recognition being affording to them by the Board of Supervisors
- In addition, Rueben Garcia expressed that the WAC presentation was enlightening for explaining why maintenance of the grounds (trees, signs, ambience, etc.) around the airport has fallen by the way side--willful inaction by the LA County Board of Supervisors
- Neighborhood Councilmember Fannie Long concurred, saying as a Hansen Hills resident on the hill beside Whiteman that 'only noise from the train and stray police helicopters' bothers her; Long maintains she supports the airport's operation
- Alone among the council, Pacoima Neighborhood Councilmember Walter Garcia expressed a harsh and biting attitude toward the airport, questioning:
- its safety (citing the 2022 Metrolink mishap);
- the deployment of unleaded fuels (deriding and discounting the current, progressive transition to unleaded fuels prior to leaded fuels' scheduled 2031 sunsetting);
- and the expectant belief of WAC that the FAA is committed to 'following the law' by (presumably) opposing closure (a legal reality which casts the BOS study as 'wasteful')
- Whiteman Airport Coalition members responded to Walter Garcia's skepticism about the airport, addressing each point and explain how each 'complaint' he raised was without merit
- Walter Garcia scowled throughout these responses and briefly argued with Reuben Garcia over the significance of 'uncertainty' regarding future aims with the land should closure occur...Walter Garcia suggested airport closure without any concrete followup plans was tenable to him
- Neighborhood Councilmember Reuben Garcia (attending via Zoom) stated that the 'real' issue with noise comes from the nearby train tracks and not the airport. Rueben Garcia also emphasized the airport has done outreach for a very long time
- Several public commenters spoke altogether: a few in-person and approximately four via Zoom
- Multiple residents (including some neighborhood council members) testified to positive experiences they'd had over many years with the airport with such things as youth programs and outreach while deriding allegations about noise pollution
- Of the public commenters, only Teodora Reyes (speaking via Zoom) expressed a negative view of the airport:
- Reyes listed a number of grievances against the airport:
- An unspecified complaint about the diner at the airport (this was supposedly her only personal interaction with Whiteman--many years ago)
- A tale of a couple with a young child in a nearby house under renovation supposedly encountering lead exposure (for which Reyes blames the airport)
- While Reyes complained about lead pollution, attendees could be heard (correctly) acknowledging scientific tests have discredited lead pollution claims
- A claim that 'a single accident' is proof the airport is too dangerous to have in amidst the area
- Other public commenters and members of the crowd in the meeting hall audibly and thoroughly ridiculed this, pointing out the selective outrage about aircraft accidents while car wrecks are ignored
- Strangely, Reyes also complained about 'community trauma' by alleging Ritchie Valens was so shaken by the 1957 Pacoima mid-air collision (which had no connection to Whiteman) that Valens 'refused to ever board an aircraft' again; as Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash after boarding in Iowa, Reyes' framing of Valens' life appears very incorrect
- Teodora Reyes' comment was panned by attendees...amongst the crowd, some sharp reactions included derision of her as a 'liar' or 'monster'
- Reyes listed a number of grievances against the airport:
- Context: Teodora Reyes and Walter Garcia
- Both have expressed hostility toward Whiteman Airport for many years, in numerous public venues
- Teodora Reyes was a very vocal member of Pacoima Beautiful from around 2018 to 2024 (legal filings suggest Reyes' departure from PB was not amicable)
- Reyes was a central figure in the organization's anti-Whiteman efforts from 2020 to 2024
- Reyes joined Caroline Menjivar's staff after leaving Pacoima Beautiful
- Walter Garcia is currently a communications official for California Attorney General Rob Bonta
- Garcia was an unsuccessful candidate for California Assembly District 43 in 2024
- After losing in the primary, he endorsed Celeste Rodriguez (the eventual winner)
- Campaign materials from Walter Garcia's 2024 AD43 campaign clearly state he had ties to Pacoima Beautiful
- Garcia was an unsuccessful candidate for California Assembly District 43 in 2024
04/20/2026 Don & Shellie Hagopian received an award from the Boy Scouts of America and two proclamations from the county of LA and the city of LA for work with Aviation explorer group Kitty Hawk squadron three. Kitty Hawk squadron three is a Aviation explorer group that offers low cost pilot instruction at Whiteman Airport for the past 25 years this group is sponsored by the North Hollywood Optimist club since 1953.
"Don Hagopian also is president of the Whiteman Airport Association Don Hagopian also is president of the Whiteman Airport Association for the past 25 years. - Don and Shellie Hagopian have been the "rock" of the association. They have attended very display day, every meeting and have been the most dedicated folks that have steered the Whiteman Airport Association for more years than I can remember. I will forever have the image of Don sitting behind the little table on the grass outside of what was the pilot's lounge, now a CAP meeting room. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs were near by being grilled, and drinks kept on ice waiting in an Igloo for members to choose from were adjacent. He and his wife are to be honored most sincerely." - Ron Berinstein, webmaster.
04/11/2026 Whiteman Update: Whiteman Airport Display Day will be held Sunday April 12, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00pm. Paperwork signing will take place at hangar HH09 from 10:00am until 1:00pm.
- LA County Assessor Touts Effort to Capture Taxes from Unassessed Aircraft
- Whiteman Airport Isn’t Failing. It’s Being Set Up to Fail - See the article (04/01/2026) below:
04/09/2026 Special to SCAUWG.ORG - re: the WAC - They are doing a great job. There aret appointments with all the Supervisors offices. The Bargers' group was spoken with last week, and additional meetings are scheduled. Several neighborhood councils with more to go have been slated. - by informed source
04/08/2026 Special To SCAUWG.ORG - Whiteman Airport Association 4/7/26 Meeting Report: Reported by Matthew Stone
- Airport authorities at WHP are looking into a ground collision between a truck and a parked Cessna 310 from 3/27 and seeking video footage
- Copper wire theft has damaged some capabilities at the airport (AWOS access via phone and terminal building phones)
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The next Whiteman Airport Association meeting is scheduled for 7/7 at 7pm
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An interim meeting may be called before that due to the pending Trifiletti study (expected in June) and other events (EAA's June 27th airport day) prior to the intended July meeting
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People and voices traditionally hostile to VNY have begun to lend support to the pro-WHP cause, given the noise/safety consequences of pushing WHP's traffic into VNY
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Due to upheavals at VNY, many Van Nuys aircraft owners and business tenants have sought space at WHP for hangars and business development
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However, BOS-imposed limitations on leasing (offering month to month leases only) have stymied progress, shooing many away while other tries are on ice
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04/02/2026 - Special to SCAUWG.ORG - The Los Angeles County tax Assessor has contracted with ADS-B data miner Situs Hawk to seek property taxes for aircraft based in the county. The County is reaching back five years for ADS-B data that establishes a home base in the county (although the stature of limitations is four years for escapement tax collection).
This practice of using ADS-B data to impose fees on aviation may come into violation with Senate Bill 2175 introduced by Senator ted Budd and supported by AOPA. The bill has yet to be passed. The bill prohibits government agencies and private actors from using ADS-B data to identify aircraft for the purpose of imposing fees or charges. https://pasadenanow.com/main/la-county-assessor-touts-effort-to-capture-taxes-from-unassessed-aircraft
04/01/2026 Whiteman Airport Isn’t Failing. It’s Being Set Up to Fail - From Whiteman Coalition - "Whiteman Airport isn’t failing. It’s being managed that way.
Los Angeles County supervisors and some city councilmembers have increasingly framed Whiteman Airport as underused, declining, and financially unsustainable. But the County’s own data tells a different story.
Whiteman supports roughly 424 based aircraft and serves as a critical hub for flight training, maintenance, and small aviation businesses in the San Fernando Valley. It is also a federally designated reliever airport, helping reduce congestion at Van Nuys and Burbank.
The activity is not disappearing. A recent Los Angeles County study projects continued aviation growth through at least 2035. Read More Here - Links to other Coalition Articles can be found there as well.
03/24/2026 FAA letter confirms Whiteman Airport obligated to remain - From AOPA - "Community coalition highlights case against closure - A newly surfaced letter from the FAA raises significant questions about whether Los Angeles County can legally close Whiteman Airport, even as the county moves forward with a $1.3 million study exploring the airport’s potential closure and redevelopment. - In a January 21 letter to county officials, the FAA confirmed that land purchased with federal Airport Improvement Program funds at Whiteman Airport created obligations that do not expire. According to the FAA, those obligations remain in effect for the useful life of the land and require the property to continue operating as an airport unless the FAA formally releases it. - The letter states that an airport sponsor that used federal funds to purchase land “must use the airport as an airport until released by the FAA. - That clarification raises an immediate question: Is studying the closure and redevelopment of Whiteman Airport realistic if the federal government has not released the airport from its obligations?" Continue nreading the AOPA release written by thenWhiteman Coalition author, by Clicking Here.
SCAUWG.ORG thanks AOPA and the "Coalition" Effort that provides useful reiteration of the perpetuity benefit made clear to the Supervisors and others two years ago. Full FAA Guidance issued to staff regarding closure requests is featured on SCAUWG.ORG. Read it Here.
Letter to the Editor - from a Whiteman Airport tenant - Sent to SCAUWG.ORG
2. I got a response from AOPA. Niki is their new local representative. She was aware of closure situation but not the condition of the airport. I have a call set next week.
03/18/2026 Whiteman Airport to Remain Open Unless Released by FAA, Letter Says - From San Fernando Sun/El Sun - "For years, the topic of closing Whiteman Airport in Pacoima has gone back and forth, with airport personnel and aviation enthusiasts speaking strongly in its favor while local nonprofits and politicians have been calling for its closure.
Supporters say that Whiteman provides a significant benefit for the community, providing jobs and programs for youth, while groups like Pacoima Beautiful have led the charge to close it – receiving political support from Los Angeles City Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Imelda Padilla, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and State Sen. Caroline Menjivar – alleging the airport poses an environmental and safety risk to the community.
But a recent letter issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in January [published below on 03/09/2026] supports the airport, pointing out that the decision to close an airport can only be made at the federal level, not the local one." read the completion of the Sun article Here.
03/18/2026 SCAUWG.ORG welcomes Representative Luz Rivas's proactive attention to airspace safety over the San Fernando Valley. In her letter to the FAA administrator, she wrote:
"...Chair Homendy stated that the next midair collision is going to be at Hollywood Burbank Airport and that “nobody at FAA is paying attention.” This statement is deeply alarming and frightening, and the FAA must take immediate steps to ensure safety for passengers, community members, the workforce, and the industry.
The Van Nuys, Whiteman, and Hollywood Burbank Airports all have flight paths over my Congressional District in the San Fernando Valley. One error along any of these flight paths could result in a tragic outcome in the loss of life and property. It is the responsibility of the FAA to instill confidence in my constituents and the aviation industry and assure them that every possible tool is
being used to ensure safety."
SCAUWG.ORG concludes that the FAA IS RESPONSIVE and more can be elaborated on that point. Closing Whiteman Airport and the Whiteman Control Tower would not contribute to airspace safety, and nor would trying to relocate over 400 aircraft based at Whiteman to other area airports creating congestion, even if there was space available. City councilwoman Imelda Padilla represents the Van Nuys Airport area and has advocated for Whiteman's closure; one might ask how Van Nuys airport area residents would react to moving 400 aircraft to their airport. Thank you to Matthew Stone for bringing this article to our attention - SCAUWG.ORG - Noted is that Councilwomen Imelda Padilla is the sister of Veronica Padilla-Campos, the executive director of Pacoima Beautiful, longtime supporter of the "Shutdown Whiteman' message.
With all of the above in mind, SCAUWG.ORG webmaster/director Ron Berinstein submitted to the Sun the following comment:
"The community has always supported Whiteman Airport. Blame accusing the FAA as unresponsive is misplaced. FAA guidance has long supported airports with perpetuity benefit and when a Bakersfield airport (L45) with perpetuity applied for closure for redevelopment purposes similar to Whiteman, the request was denied. Even today, Whiteman qualifies for FAA grant monies, but Supervisors and those with development interests have opposed acceptance fearful of the less important 20-year attachment obligation to keep the airport open. Even today after perpetuity was revealed to the Supervisors via a letter in the public record written on October 21. 2024 by aviation notables, AOPA, NBAA, NATA, and VAI in association with the Southern California Aviation United Working Group (SCAUWG.ORG), The FAA nor the community is to blame. Rather, those who claim to represent the community, should. The next election (less than 3 months away) is June 2nd."
03/13/2026 U.S. Representative LUZ RIVAS Letter to FAA re: Safe Skies over San Fernando Valley:
Reprinted from SCAUWG.ORG 4/6/2025 - Who is Luz Rivas? "Rivas was born and raised in Los Angeles. Rivas graduated from San Fernando High School in 1991. She earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, worked for Motorola, and then earned a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She founded a non-profit organization based in Pacoima, Los Angeles, to encourage school age girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She also served on Los Angeles' City Public Works Commission." - Wikipedia She succeeded Congressman Tony Cardenas and represents the 29th Congressional District that includes San Fernando and Pacoima. Congresswoman Luz Rivas is an engineer, educator, and public servant who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2025 to represent California’s 29th Congressional District – the first Latina to represent the district and the only Latina in Congress with a STEM background. She assumed office January 3, 2025. One can only assume that she has strong ties politically to those politicians that would prefer WHP closed and might follow in the footsteps of her predecessor Tony Cardenas, who allegedly ignored the data, and advocated for an alternative negative reality,
Her Website is: https://www.luzforcongress.com/
The site promotes her as: “Rivas has been a consistent and unwavering champion for communities, public health, and bold climate action. She not only helped pass major climate legislation in 2022, but she also pushed to make these policies even stronger.” - California Environmental Voters
Her Offices:
Washington D.C. office: 1319 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6131
Arleta District Office: 9300 Laurel Canyon Blvd., First Floor, Arleta, CA 9 1331 Phone: (818) 253-3535
03/09/2026 In a phone call earlier today with the LA County Dept. of Public Works it was acknowledged and confirmed that the $200k of additional funding to Trifiletti for the extended timeframe is being paid out; It was stated that the funding is originating from the DEO (not Public Works' funds--general, aviation or otherwise). Special to SCAUWG.ORG by Matthew Stone
03/09/2026 Published by Los Angeles County Politics (LACP) was:
03/09/2026 LETTER FROM the FAA ANSWERING the INQUIRY BY THE LA COUNTY DEPT. of ECONOMIC OPORTUNITY
CONFIRMS WHP PERPETUITY
You can download a copy of this letter by Clicking HERE.
02/22/2026 The PR Firm with noted personality Christina Pascucci was engaged by Penny Alderson (Vista Aviation) and James Miller of WHP. Her first project is a collection of supporters under the banner of "The Whiteman Airport Coalition." Sent to many was the following Email:
Coalition Purpose
To advance fact-based decision-making and ensure the community’s informed voice shapes the future of Whiteman Airport. Through our work, your voice is heard, unified, and clearly represented.
Who We Are
The Whiteman Airport Coalition brings together community leaders, public safety professionals, aviation stakeholders, local businesses, and residents who care about what happens at Whiteman Airport. We’re focused on making sure any decisions about the airport are grounded in the law, make financial sense, protect regional public safety, and reflect what the community wants. Everything we do is based on documented findings, verified data, and an open, transparent civic process.
Why This Matters
Whiteman Airport is an active public-use facility supporting emergency response, wildfire operations, law enforcement, anti-terrorism operations, and regional transportation. Los Angeles County is evaluating potential closure. County-commissioned studies raise significant questions about legal constraints, financial exposure, operational feasibility, and public safety impacts. These realities must be clearly understood before any irreversible action is considered.
How we Operate
The Coalition’s work is organized across these three areas:
? Stakeholder Alignment: Clear updates summarizing reports, legal considerations, costs, and operational realities
? Public Information and Media Engagement: Fact-based coverage focused on safety and fiscal clarity
? Institutional Engagement: Direct coordination with Supervisors, County departments, and subject matter experts
What We Are Working to Ensure
? Accurate public understanding of public opinion and County consultant findings
? Full evaluation of legal obligations, including federal grant assurances
? Transparent assessment of fiscal impacts and potential repayment costs of closure
? Recognition of the airport’s role in fire response and emergency operations and value to the community
Our Ask For You
Join the Coalition’s information network to receive verified updates, upcoming engagement opportunities, and ways to ensure your voice is heard at key decision points.
We do not solicit donations. Our only goal is informed participation.
02/22/2026 NOW ADDED; Order 5190.6C, Airport Compliance Manual, to the FAA Website.
The Airport Compliance Manual sets forth policies and procedures for the FAA Airport Compliance Program. It provides basic guidance for FAA personnel in interpreting and administering the various continuing commitments airport owners make to the United States as a condition for the grant of federal funds or the conveyance of federal property for airport purposes. The Order discusses the obligations set forth in the standard airport sponsor assurances, addresses the application of the assurances in the operation of public-use airports, and facilitates interpretation of the assurances by FAA personnel.
This revision addresses the following:
- Public comments offered on the 2009 update
- FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
- Updated statutory and regulatory citation references
- Policy changes adopted by the agency since 2009 to remain current with Federal statutes
Thank you, FAA Office of Airports Compliance and Management Analysis
02/22/2026 Page from the above order; (How i applies to Whiteman)
a. Obligations with Land Acquisition.
In regard to land acquired with federal assistance (e.g., FAAP, ADAP, AIP), so long as the airport sponsor has taken an ADAP or AIP grant since May 1980, the federal
obligations on the acquired land remain in effect until released by the FAA.2 The following background information is helpful in understanding this requirement:
(1) An airport sponsor who accepted an ADAP or AIP grant after 1980 agreed that the covenants on real property acquired with Federal funds are unlimited. This is
consistent with federal grant law generally, which provides that a grant of real property must be used for its intended purpose until and unless released by the
government. The public has been on notice of this since at least 1980.
(2) The “Duration and Applicability” section for the current grant assurances3 and in every set of assurances for an ADAP and AIP grant since 1980 has contained
the following language: The terms, conditions and assurances of this grant agreement shall remain in full force and effect throughout the useful life of the facility es developed or
equipment acquired for an airport development or noise compatibility program project, or throughout the useful life of the project items installed within a
facility under a noise compatibility program project, but in any event not toexceed twenty (20) years from the date of acceptance of a grant offer of Federal funds for the project.
However, there shall be no limit on the duration of the assurances regarding Exclusive Rights and Airport Revenue so long as the airport is used as an airport. There shall be no limit on the duration of the terms, conditions, and assurances with respect to real property acquired with federal funds. Furthermore, the duration of the Civil Rights assurance shall be specified in the assurances. [Italics added].
(3) These assurances apply to all property on the airport acquired with federal funds, not just property acquired with that project. The assurances thus apply to
any “real property acquired with Federal funds.” (4) The regulations implementing the ADAP program also contain the same basic assurance as to real property acquired with “federal funds.” 14 CFR part 152, Appendix D, paragraph 17 provides as follows:2There is no limit on the duration of terms, conditions, and assurances with respect to real
property acquired with federal funds. (See FAA Grant Assurances, Duration and Applicability; 14 CFR part 152, Airport Aid Program, Appendix D, Paragraph 17).
3The current grant assurances are available at: Grant Assurances 4-3
2/20/2026 5190.6C
17. Effective date and duration. These covenants shall become effective upon acceptance by the sponsor of an offer of Federal aid for the Project or
any portion thereof, made by the FAA and shall constitute a part of the Grant Agreement thus formed. These covenants shall remain in full force and effect
throughout the useful life of the facilities developed under this Project, but in any event not to exceed twenty (20) years from the date of said acceptance of
an offer of Federal aid for the Project. However, these limitations on the duration of the covenants do not apply to the covenant against exclusive rights
and real property acquired with Federal funds.
02/22/2026 Whiteman Airport is eligible to APPLY for a grant to update the control tower.
"The FAA Contract Tower (FCT) program, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allocates up to $600 million over 10 years for the modernization of airport traffic control towers. These funds will allow airports to sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate non-approach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers; and construct a remote tower certified by the FAA.
This year, the FCT program is investing approximately $86 million to enhance our nation's Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT), here is what it will do:
This round of funding will be used to construct new towers and upgrade existing infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient air travel. These improvements aim to provide travelers with confidence in our cutting-edge air traffic management systems." - Webmaster Note: Will the County BOS treat this opportunity as an opportunity?
02/14/2026 COMMUNITY SOCIAL FUND to be used to Fund $475,000 toward Whiteman Airport "Closure" Study. In 2011 a revised guidance proposal was presented to the Board for Approval by County Council. In this case $475,000 from Supervisor Horvath's District. The Third District under Supervisor Horvath is home to over 2 million people, including parts of 10 cities, 26 unincorporated communities, and 49 neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles.
The County's Social Programs have benefited the residents of the County for over 20 years. Social Program Agreements provide funds to County departments, public and private agencies, and individuals, to establish County programs or to fund programs necessary to meet the social needs of the residents of the County, including but not limited to the areas of health, law enforcement, rehabilitation, welfare, education, and legal services, and to assist in the needs of the physically, mentally and financially handicapped persons and aged persons pursuant to California Government Code section 26227.
The Trifiletti Land Use Study is due to be released in June 2026.
02/08.2026 Horvath won't run for Mayor - Good/Bad for KWHP?
02/04/2026 A Mayor of Bakersfield at the time (2006) petitioned the FAA to close Bakersfield Airport and allow a redevelopment project. The scenario closely parallels the circumstance at Whiteman Airport. The FAA answer closely follows issued FAA guidance for deciding these types of requests when the airport has not satisfied a grant "assurance," the obligation the recipient agrees to when the grand is accepted. There are other airports that also contribute to precedent setting examples. This is good reading. View it Here
02/01/2026 From CityWatch 01/08/2026 - Misguided Venture Reveals Supervisor Horvath’s Dark Side - "When Lindsey Horvath ran for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2022, she sold herself as a fresh voice. She prevailed at the ballot box, buoyed by a Los Angeles Times’ endorsement that crowned her as the “golden ticket” to a new and brighter political world. - But Horvath, a 43-year-old Ohio native who cut her political teeth in West Hollywood, has not proved to be such a fresh voice after all as she seeks reelection this year to the Board of Supervisors, one of California’s most powerful and least scrutinized elected bodies. - Horvath’s flip-side as just another slippery Old School politician has been on display with her conniving, arrogant and dishonest handling of a plan to construct a 167-bed homeless housing project on land donated with a charitable and binding promise, aka the Bandini-Jones covenant, that the land be used exclusively for veterans. - The Bandini-Jones covenant is named after two philanthropists who donated hundreds of acres in 1888 to an arm of the federal government with the condition that the donated land, including what is now the West LA VA campus, be used only to benefit veterans." Continue Reading this very detailed article Here
Webmaster Notes: Supervisor Horvath represents District 3 which includes the Pacoima Area. She is a frequent guest on Spectrum TV and in earlier in her private life she had an advertising and PR Firm. She has directly overseen and led major government initiatives involving large-scale real estate and property development in her roles as a Los Angeles County Supervisor and former Mayor of West Hollywood.
- Transit-Oriented Development (Metro Board): As a member of the LA Metro Board, she has facilitated Joint Development projects intended to deliver 10,000 new housing units near transit hubs in areas like Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley.
- Post-Disaster Rebuilding Authority: Following the 2025 Southern California wildfires, Horvath spearheaded the creation of a Rebuilding Authority. This body is designed to coordinate construction, select developers, and use tax-increment financing to buy fire-damaged lots for rebuilding at scale.
- Affordable Housing & Homelessness: She authored the motion to establish the first-ever Department of Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH), which centralizes billions in funding for housing development and supportive services.
- Public Infrastructure Projects: She has championed major infrastructure developments, including the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park (a project combining flood control with recreational space) and significant rail extensions like the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail.
It is also worth noting that her Director of Budget, John Leonard, previously served as the Economic Development Director for West Hollywood, where he specifically oversaw public/private real estate development and property development functions under her leadership.
02/01/2026 SCAUWG,ORG response to the above CityWatch article (from Jan. 8, 2026)
"This article is a testament to conscientious journalism. CityWatch is to be complimented for publishing it, John Schwada is to be complimented for writing it. Though sad to say, this behavior, if correct as written, may not be limited to just the Armory project.
i am inviting John to investigate her desire to close Whiteman Airport. On her own website (March 2024) she published, "...Chair Horvath emphasized, the County will not seek future funding from the FAA that would further lengthen aviation operations at Whiteman Airport, a measure that is also in alignment with her November 7 motion on the future of the 78-year-old airport." Yet FOIA requests resolve that no funding freeze has ever been written,
Every nearby neighborhood Council supports Whiteman. A survey found that the majority of the community do as well (reference EAA Chapter 40). Opponents had to offer petition seekers $22 an hour to try and get signers. It would appear that that sentiment might not matter.
Whiteman Airport was responsible for fast helicopter departures whose mission it was to save people's lives and property during the LA fires. On one hand says she is for protecting LA County from future disasters and on the other hand she appears to favor developer interests and close the airport that played an important emergency services role.
The community was allowed to believe that the airport could close when twenty years passed from the last FAA grant received. That was misinformation, as Whiteman, because of an old BOS ordered real estate purchase, enjoys a "perpetuity" benefit. However, even after being notified by AOPA, NATA, NBAA, SCAUWG.ORG, & VAI of that benefit the Horvath sponsored $1.3 million study to determine possible airport land uses was passed.
So, Joihn Schwada, refer to SCAUWG.ORG > Airport Data > Whiteman, as this should be your next assignment,"
01/31/2026 The Four Stacks Are Going Away, this aerial Photo was taken January 28, 2026, by Matthew Stone
01/31/2026 ECHOES from the past have resurfaced - Once supported by Pacoima Beautiful So Cal Gas Company's Aliso Canyon Facility is leaking gas again See Here. - Why is this noteworthy? It brings attention to the fact that Pacoima once supported the Gas Company and the facility. Coincidently, during that pewrikod of time Pacoima Beautiful accepted money from So Cal Gas Company. From The LA Times - Nov 2020 - "Still, small expenditures can have an effect — either to build support or to preempt opposition. Take Pacoima Beautiful, which fights for cleaner air in the mostly Latino, low-income northeast San Fernando Valley. Between 2014 and 2018, the environmental justice group took $107,750 from Sempra subsidiary SoCalGas. - In August 2016, Pacoima Beautiful’s executive director, Veronica Padilla, wrote a letter to state officials in support of reopening the gas company’s Aliso Canyon storage facility, which a year earlier had sprung the worst methane leak in U.S. history.
We have full confidence in the ability of SoCalGas to deliver resources in a safe, reliable and non-hazardous manner,” she wrote. Eventually her group stopped accepting SoCalGas funding, and today it’s pushing Los Angeles officials to shut down a gas plant whose fuel is supplied by SoCalGas. The city-owned plant recently leaked methane for at least three years, raising concerns about potential health effects to nearby residents."
- Access Clean California: In 2022, Pacoima Beautiful was part of a coalition that received funding from Southern California Edison and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) to expand access to clean energy and transportation programs in Los Angeles.
- Edison International Foundation: While Pacoima Beautiful focuses on environmental justice, Edison International (the parent company of SCE) frequently lists them as a partner or participant in community initiatives. For instance, Edison International has historically funded environmental groups serving low-income communities in LA, which has included Pacoima Beautiful.
- Fire-Safe Community Grants: SCE's parent company has collaborated with the California Fire Safe Council to provide grants for community fire prevention in its service areas, which include the San Fernando Valley where Pacoima Beautiful operates.
- Greenhouse Gas Violations: In 2021, SCE paid a $350,000 settlement to the California Air Resources Board for failing to accurately report its use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a potent greenhouse gas, over several years.
- Wildfire & Ecosystem Damage: SCE has paid hundreds of millions in settlements for wildfires caused by faulty equipment. Most recently, in 2025, it agreed to an $82.5 million settlement for environmental and property damage caused by the 2020 Bobcat Fire, which impacted the nearby Angeles National Forest.
- 2024 Revenue: The organization reported total revenue of $5.64 million for the fiscal year ending in 2024.
- Major Current Funders: Recent high-profile donors include the Bezos Earth Fund, the Liberty Hill Foundation, and government grants like the $23 million Transformative Climate Communities grant from the California Strategic Growth Council.
- LADWP Projects: In 2025 and 2026, Pacoima Beautiful has been active in the Electro Bici Program, funded by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which is a different utility than SCE.
01/31/2026 Burbank Airport could be next scene of mid-air crash, airlines warn NTSB - From ABC News - VIDEO-ARTICLE "BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday expressed concerns over the dangerous possibility of the next deadly mid-air collision happening at Hollywood Burbank Airport. - The NTSB chair says its commercial airlines that are sounding the alarm, and says the FAA should take the warnings from airlines seriously. - "I keep hearing about other areas in the airspace where they are concerned. Burbank is one where commercial airlines have called me to say the next mid-air is going to be at Burbank, and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a hearing, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. "So, whether it is involving helicopters or not, people are raising red flags, and why aren't people listening? The FAA has to ensure safety. That is their job."
Tuesday's hearing was part of the investigation into a deadly mid-air crash near Washington, D.C. last year that left 67 people dead and involved an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane. - Whether it's helicopters like the deadly crash in D.C., or private aircraft, the concern is the amount of traffic coming and going from Burbank Airport and Van Nuys Airport in a relatively small airspace. Both airports are extremely busy. - According to the Aviation Safety Reporting System, there have been six near mid-air collisions at Burbank Airport since Jan. 1, 2021. The NTSB is demanding that the FAA take action." Read More Here.
Webmaster Note: Van Nuys East Pattern was lowered as of 1/05/2026, See VNY LTA Here
01/31/2026 Attention WHP Pilots - Danger nearby - Burbank Airport could be next scene of mid-air crash, airlines warn NTSB - From ABC News - VIDEO-ARTICLE "BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday expressed concerns over the dangerous possibility of the next deadly mid-air collision happening at Hollywood Burbank Airport. - The NTSB chair says its commercial airlines that are sounding the alarm, and says the FAA should take the warnings from airlines seriously. - "I keep hearing about other areas in the airspace where they are concerned. Burbank is one where commercial airlines have called me to say the next mid-air is going to be at Burbank, and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a hearing, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. "So, whether it is involving helicopters or not, people are raising red flags, and why aren't people listening? The FAA has to ensure safety. That is their job."
Tuesday's hearing was part of the investigation into a deadly mid-air crash near Washington, D.C. last year that left 67 people dead and involved an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane. - Whether it's helicopters like the deadly crash in D.C., or private aircraft, the concern is the amount of traffic coming and going from Burbank Airport and Van Nuys Airport in a relatively small airspace. Both airports are extremely busy. - According to the Aviation Safety Reporting System, there have been six near mid-air collisions at Burbank Airport since Jan. 1, 2021. The NTSB is demanding that the FAA take action." Read More Here.
Webmaster Note: Van Nuys East Pattern was lowered as of 1/05/2026, See VNY LTA Here
01/29/2026 February 8, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm-Whiteman Airport Display Day. Signings of Display Paperwork from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Hangar HH09.
01/29/2026 February 3, 2026, 7:00pm-Whiteman Airport Association Meeting at Civil Air Patrol Building Classroom 1 (Old Rocky's) 12653 Osborne Street (use Google Maps). We will be discussing an exciting initiative to use a Public Relations campaign to highlight the Airport. We will need your help and financial support to make this a success. We will also discuss new positive information concerning the future of the airport. Finally, Clyde Carpenter, President of EAA Chapter 40, has taken on the job of coordinating an Airport Career and Family Day at Whiteman Airport (Open House) . We will be supporting this effort and need your help. We are entering a critical time with the final report from Trifiletti Consulting due out in June and a decision from the Board of Supervisors to follow. Our goal is to demonstrate our commitment to the airport, bring to light the critical need for the airport and the public's overwhelming support for Whiteman Airport.
01/28/2026 January 28, 2026 10:00am-Los Angeles County Aviation Commission Meeting at Brackett Airport. "The agenda does not have anything being voted on and appears to be just updates to ongoing issues and initiatives." - Comment by Jim Miller.
01/27/2026 Good News for Duncan Thomas! Confirmed last week, Duncan Thomas is the newest LAC Aviation Commissioner. Many forecast that Commissioner is a favorable choice of many GA advocates, He has been observed as a, "straight shooter."
01/25/2026 Airport Closure Request to FAA - How Might the Response Be? - The Following Addresses Bakersfield:
Page 1 FAA response to the City of Bakersfield
For the Full Very Revealing Document that illustrates Clearly the FAA Guidance followed for such matters - Tap or Click HERE.
01/14/2026 Current Subject: Unrealized Needed Airport Maintenance. Suggested has been that Supervisor has ordered verbally that no FAA Funding intentionally meant to sustain the needed repairs, be accepted so as to eliminate the 20-year grant assurance contract and allow for airport closure. Well, no evidence of a written directive seems to exist, but the fact is no grant has been applied for, and needed maintenance has gone unrealized.
Well, it appears that the truth was revealed in writing on Supervisor Horvath's website. Below is the webpage dated March 4, 2024.
THANK YOU to Matthew Stone for his diligent work collecting WHP press material.
HORVATH REVEALS: THIS IS IT! ON HER WEBSITE, AND IT REFERENCES AN LAC BOARD MOTION DATE!
-The Link:
https://lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov/whiteman-airport-unleaded-fuel/
SEE PARAGRAPH #3:
"Moreover, Chair Horvath emphasized, the County will not seek future funding from the FAA that would further lengthen aviation operations at Whiteman Airport, a measure that is also in alignment with her November 7 motion on the future of the 78-year-old airport."
November 7, 2023 Motion 20 Reimagining Whiteman Airport
Statement Of Proceedings
November 7, 2023 BOS Meeting Transcript Comments re: Motion 20 begin on page 283.
1151446_110723.pdf
1/14/2026 Special to SCAUWG.ORG: Review Notes of the 1/13 Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council Meeting w/ Guest Speaker Imelda Padilla - Reported by Matthew Stone Guest Contributor -
The 1/13 meeting of the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council (SVANC) began at 6pm and went to its 7:50pm limit (the library hosting the event was closing as everyone piled out). The event was attended by roughly 30 people. Los Angeles Councilwoman Imelda Padilla (Council District 6 (CD6)) spoke for about 45 minutes from 6:10pm to just shy of 7:00pm prior to departing.
Imelda Padilla received a long list of questions from SVANC regarding local matters and a handful of questions from the public--my own included.
My questions to Imelda Padilla (with the LACP article proposing Whiteman be turned into a soccer stadium in hand) were:
Are you aware of this proposal, put forward by Veronica Padilla-Campos ([her] sister) and do you support it? What is your reaction to this suggestion to close this airport after seeing its important work meeting the devastating events of the January 2025 fires?
Imelda Padilla acknowledged she did read the 'make Whiteman into a soccer stadium' LACP article this morning (1/13) and is aware of Padilla-Campos' proposal.
Asked about her stance on the matter, Padilla demurred that she is 'so committed to other matters in CD6, including Van Nuys Airport as it deals with its landswap plans' that she is uninterested in political participation related to Whiteman (as it is in Monica Rodriguez' Council District 7) and directly referring to her similar April 9th, 2025 answers to me. When I reminded Padilla that Whiteman is a County facility subject to County oversight, she referred the matter to Lindsey Horvath. Padilla had no retort to the mention that Whiteman is a County-wide matter by virtue of its County-owned status and regional operations.
The only 'defense' Imelda Padilla put up regarding her sister Veronica Padilla-Campos' soccer stadium was referring to the quote in the LACP article wherein Padilla-Campos insisted her group (Pacoima Beautiful) has "never suggested that the emergency part of the airport be closed." When confronted with the facts that the LA County Fire Chief already explained the importance of and need for Whiteman's tower (which would not remain in the event of closure) to realize LA County's existent operations as-is and the reality that CALFIRE and other emergency operators use the airport/runway itself (not LA County Fire's co-located Barton Helipad), Padilla had no real retort.
Imelda Padilla simply re-emphasized the claim that Pacoima Beautiful has 'never advocated against the emergency services there.'In response, I noted that contention does not mesh with the realistic effect closure would have (LA County Fire's Barton Helipad operations would be, at best, hindered and CALFIRE/others' ability to operate would be flat out eliminated). While she did not get combative, emotional or rude, Padilla did not go any further on the question of Whiteman's future--instead referring it to local nonprofits (no specific names) and other pols (M. Rodriguez/Horvath) as a matter for them. As with the April 2025 meeting, Padilla abdicated any sort of involvement in the matter of Whiteman Airport despite its proximity.
Later on in the meeting, I publicly spoke to highlight the poor reasoning Imelda Padilla (who had left) had given--reminding attendees of the County-wide nature of the matter as well as the looming threat that the Pacific Palisades' plight could have befallen Sun Valley or other places. In a brief 1 minute comment, I pointed out that Imelda Padilla was essentially leaving local people voiceless about the airport's future despite its proximity and the enduring local and political interest in it. While the crowd was respectfully quiet, there was certainly no outward disapproval of those sentiments.
In chatting with folks as the meeting adjourned and people quickly piled out of the closing library, it was quite obvious that there is plenty of local interest in the issue of Whiteman Airport and that the general 'vibe' of the neighborhood council members was supportive of the airport, disapproving of closure particularly. None of the several I personally spoke to seemed moved by Imelda Padilla's contention that "it is a District 7 matter." To them, it is of interest and a topic for further discussion.
I believe Imelda Padilla was honest...she is probably not actively participating in anti-Whiteman efforts at this time.With Imelda Padilla's allies and people close to her (such as her sister Veronica Padilla-Campos who proposed the stadium idea) involved in anti-WHP efforts, Imelda Padilla has no real reason to actively involve herself. On the other hand, her actions signal very, very strongly that she favors closure even if she doesn't say so. Deliberately vague answers and a refusal to condemn closure efforts lends credence to this belief, especially after the January 2025 fires.
Regardless of her own stance on airport closure, the stadium proposal or other Whiteman-related politics, Imelda Padilla is shirking the matter and its broader implications. On that alone, she is failing her constituents. As busy as she is, this is an item that belongs on her plate--but she isn't dealing with it publicly. - MS
01/10/2026
Dear Whiteman Airport Community and Stakeholders,
Happy New Year and thank you for your continued engagement in the Whiteman Airport Land Use Study!
On behalf of the Study team, we would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in the Whiteman Airport Land Use Study Open House held in December 2025, as well as those who engaged with us through other outreach activities throughout the past year. Your time, thoughtful questions, and feedback are an important part of this process.
The materials shared at the Open House are now available at the links below. All Open House materials have also been translated into Spanish to ensure broad accessibility.
As a reminder, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath commissioned this Study to evaluate both the economic impacts and land use considerations of the Airport site—examining the following scenarios:
- Airport closure and alternative uses.
- Airport remains operational and includes community serving uses such as employment training, education, etc.
The Study is being conducted by the team of aviation and economic experts whom you met at the Open House, working with the support of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and in collaboration with the County Chief Executive Office and the Department of Public Works.
The next phase of the Study will focus on evaluating the costs and benefits associated with the land use scenarios presented at the Open House. The Study team is currently compiling stakeholder feedback received to date and completing the economic impact analysis to inform a comprehensive and thorough report that provides options and advises the Board of Supervisors on the future of the airport. We anticipate sharing the Study findings with the Pacoima and Whiteman Airport communities, and with stakeholders more broadly, in Spring 2026.
Thank you again for your participation, your perspectives, and your continued interest in the Whiteman Airport Land Use Study. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to 213-924-7666 or info@whplandusestudy.com.
Sincerely,
The Whiteman Airport Land Use Study Team
To Visit the Land Use Study Website for the Details Thus Far CLICK HERE
01/10/2026
FAA Guidance re: Approval Permission for Airport Closure / Federal Grant Assurance Program
As Whiteman Airport currently enjoys the benefit of perpetuity (detailed earlier on these pages) due to LA County's purchase of Real Property included in the Whiteman Airport Master Plan.
Read Detailed FAA Guidance related material CLICK HERE
01/07/2026 Below is a copy of a letter I (James Miller) was asked to share with Whiteman Airport Association Members concerning Requests For Proposals at Van Nuys Airport for development of a specific leasehold which has been divided into two separate lease holds. The big takeaway is that LAWA is changing the possible use of the land from smaller piston aircraft to larger Part 135 jets. The implied result would be fewer piston tie downs and increased costs for those who choose to stay. The result will most likely lead to increased demands on Whiteman Airport for tie downs and hangars and possibly forcing an Aviation training facility out of business. (Note: This represents yet another business who would consider Whiteman Airport as a base of operations if the County was entertaining long term leases.)
December 30,2025
I hope that this lease update had more holiday cheer for you and less critical news.
On December 5th, LAWA issued RFPs for 5 expired leaseholds at Van Nuys airport. The Southwest Aviation leasehold was included in this grouping and split into two separate RFPs. The first parcel encompasses the Paramount site and the second, the rest of the leasehold to the South. In the RFP for the Southern part of my leasehold, LAWA is expanding the boundaries to include a vacant lot fronting Hayvenhurst and a part of the former Green Hornet site. Both sites are being promoted as having aviation development potential, even though the current land use, or FAA restrictions and/or airport specific plan precludes aviation development for these parcels.
As a current tenant, pilot, business operator and plane owner, you should be aware that the proposed use of my leasehold going forward is for general aviation use, not propeller use. (Note that LAWA utilizes a general aviation term to define aircraft over 12,000 lbs. takeoff weight and non-propeller.) Hidden within this designation is an attempt to convert the Southwest Aviation leasehold for jet aviation uses as LAWA receives a significantly higher land rental rate for jet operations.
If a Jet FBO is successful in obtaining the new lease, they will use the land for jet aviation to make the economics work and displace you and your plane. It is likely that you will need to find an alternative airport to fly out of as there is the lack of alternative sites for propeller aircraft and T hangars at Van Nuys.
Of addition concern is that current Southwest Aviation business tenants: the flight schools; insurance providers; tour operators and repair facilities, would be dislocated and the services currently serving the propeller aircraft community at Van Nuys would be lost.
This is major wakeup call, and we have a very short time fuse to organize and voice opposition to LAWA’s plan to reduce propeller access at Van Nuys. Southwest Aviation has set up a petition initiative at Change.org with the following link:
We strongly encourage you to make your voice heard by signing this petition to retain propeller aircraft on Southwest’s lease and to eliminate the Hayvenhurst lot from this RFP.
When responding to this petition, here are suggested talking points for your post:
- Your history of tenancy at Southwest Aviation Complex.
- Keeping the current leasehold dedicated for propeller use, not jet use.
- Affordability.
- Need for a new lease term long enough to enable necessary improvements to the tarmac, buildings, parking lot and pilot facilities at Southwest Aviation. We are suggesting a minimum of ten years.
- The importance of the current business operations at SWA to maintaining, operating, training and enabling private aviation at Van Nuys.
- How your current operations benefit the local community such as number of students attending flight schools, number of employees, economic impact, mercy flights etc.
I thank you in advance for your concern and action in retaining private propeller aviation at Van Nuys airport
Warmly, Nick Mosich - Southwest Aviation Complex, lp"
01/07/2026 Whiteman Airport Display Day -Sunday January 11, 2026 from 10:00am to 2:00pm - Signings of Display Paperwork from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Hangar HH09. Please bring your new blank form with you. Make sure your N number is in the upper right corner on both sides of the form.
01/07/2026 Whiteman Airport Association Meeting - Tuesday February 3, 2026 at Civil Air Patrol Classroom 1, 12653 Osborne Street, pacoima, CA 91331 - The WAA will meet to discuss upcoming events that are being planned for the airport throughout 2026 and how you can help. We will also discuss the current status of the report concerning closure of the airport.
12/20/2025 4 STACK DESTRUCTION Pictured from the air. - Removal of the Stacks may help cancel any resident pollution, but it creates some real airspace challenges. The Stacks are part of several "procedures," not to forget to mention, the structure is an easily identifiable VFR landmark.
"I am not sure if the obstacle lights on the intact funnels are operational, but the top of the eastern most funnel.
It is certainly gone. It appears to be the beginning of the very end for the Four Stacks is upon them." Photo Credit & Comment: Matthew Stone