NEWS & PROPOSALS THAT NEED YOUR COMMENT!
WHITEMAN AIRPORT – Recent Aviation Commission Meeting – Information &
Update
“The two new Commissioners. appointed by Supervisor Horvath were in attendance for
their second meeting. The large conference room above Vista Aviation was
standing room only with over 60 people in attendance. There were 24 speakers, the
majority Whiteman Airport tenants, businesses, and users. The longer-serving
Commissioners commented that the meeting was one of the best they have attended
and the energy in the room was very high. OUR challenge is to find a way to get that
energy in front of the Supervisors. Five Cadets, Three Senior Members and three
Parents of Cadets in Sq 137 spoke. The Cadets drove home the value of the Airport to
them, and their future. It was also noted how diverse the youth are who use the airport.

Please write to your Supervisor and tell them how important the airport is to you,
the community and the future. Encourage them to talk with the Aviation
Commissioners they appointed to better understand the value of the airports.
(SEE EMAIL INFO BELOW)

Whiteman Airport has been very busy lately with Runway 16L at Van Nuys being
closed, the 18 flight schools at Van Nuys, are all coming to Whiteman for pattern
practice. The tower closes the pattern when 5 aircraft are flying “closed traffic”. If you
get caught up in this, the tower will tell you the pattern is closed and ask your
intentions. I believe they will allow you to depart the area but will not allow any closed
traffic. This has caused students at Vista Aviation to not be able to solo, other tenants
to not be able to conduct quick test flights (once around the pattern), and other types of
flights.
During the week any time after noon seems to be the most likely time to encounter the
closure. Your “intentions” means your choices are to either depart the area, or prepare
to tie down your aircraft. Unfortunately, the ground controller may not warn you of the
pattern issue. You then find out after you have completed your runup and request to
take off. This results in an unnecessary cost. Possibly 0.1-.0.2 hours on the Hobbs
meter, which may mean $15 to $30 for the plane plus any instructor time as well.. It
should all end soon with the reopening of 16L, but expect Van Nuys students to still
spend a lot of time at Whiteman.
I attended a meeting at Van Nuys Airport on April 1, 2025. At the meeting Los Angeles
World Airports (LA City) stated it is their intent to begin charging landing fees to all
itinerant aircraft (aircraft not based at Van Nuys Airport) at a rate of $6.40 per 1,000
pounds. The stated goal is to pay for all of the costs of operating the airport with these
fees. Tenants, except Part 135 operators, are exempt from the fees. No one knows
what they plan on using the $18 million in rent they collect for.. – Jim Miller – Whiteman
Airport Association – Friends of Whiteman Airport”

Aviation Commissioners can be addressed by calling or sending email to:
Claudia M. Delgado
(626) 300-4611

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Contact Information: Supervisor Fact Sheet – Click Here
For the County Supervisors Executive Office:
Supervisors Executive Office Email
.
Additional 4/30/25 Aviation Commission Meeting Coverage – Special to SCAUWG.ORG
written by Matthew Stone.

Attendees lamented that the Whiteman CAC meetings of 2021-23 had not seen such
large crowds.

Meeting themes of the night included:

• Widespread anger over Lindsey Horvath’s decision to unilaterally deny FAA
  funding to a critical County facility with no public input whatsoever.
• Re: Pacoima Beautiful and other anti-airport protestors – there was plenty of furor
  in that room against anti-airport messages.
• An incredulity at even considering the elimination of LA County’s breadwinner
  airport; Whiteman is the most fiscally successful of the 5 County airports and
  subsidizes the other four in the system as well.
• Discussion about Pacoima Beautiful raised concerns about its substantial ties to
  various local politicians and the numerous lawsuits–brought by former Pacoima
  Beautiful staff which alleges the nonprofit has routinely engaged in discriminatory
  practices and harassment in violation of labor law.
• It was pointed out that are current legal woes for Pacoima Beautiful as there appear to be various lawsuits naming Pacoima Beautiful levied by ex-staffers.

The new Commissioners, Charles Nelson and Jerilyn Lopez-Mendoza, did attend the
meeting.

• Medoza was about 25 minutes late. To her credit, Mendoza acknowledged her
  tardiness at the meeting’s end, apologized and insisted it “will not happen again”
• Mendoza also acknowledged Penny Alderson’s (Vista Aviation) offer to tour WHP and expressed interest in such action.
• Nelson asked about the results of the WHP “land study’ initiated in Oct. 2024
  which per Jason Morgan LACDPW are somewhat expected in late 2025 or early
  2026.

Webmaster’s note: The “closure (Land) study” author is charged with researching grant
assurance obligations. It has been discovered that KWHP by regulation is entitled to
stay in operation per a perpetual benefit resulting from a real estate purchase in
1999. See details and documentation HERE.

Study author: Trifiletti Consulting
info@trifiletticonsulting.com
213 315 2121

Furthermore: Your Input for the Following is Solicited:

FAA Extends Comment Period on Aircraft Data Protections – Act Now
NBAA members and other industry stakeholders now have until June 4 to comment on
the FAA’s plan to enhance business aviation security by removing personally
identifiable information (PII) from the FAA Aircraft Registry, an effort the association
strongly supports.
More Information HERE.

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB) – 2025-04.pdf –
Issued. Supported by EAGLE that has called on pilots to report unleaded experience –
Coalition seeks to help FAA validate safe options – Unleaded fuel usage
sought. Details Here.

FAA Wants To Drop FSS Radio Network –
“Radio calls to FSS have dropped by 99% in the past 20 years.” From AVweb – “The
FAA intends to decommission the radio network that allows pilots to contact Flight
Services by radio. In a Notice of Intent published late last month in the Federal Register,
the agency says hardly anyone uses the service anymore because they use their
phones and computers. “In the mid-1980s, Flight Service received 22,000 service
requests per day across this network, while today they receive fewer than 300 per day,”
the agency said in the notice. “In turn, from over 350 Flight Service stations with over
3,000 employees 40 years ago, there are now only two (2) facilities with fewer than 200
specialists.” Emergency frequencies will be monitored by ATC. – The FAA is accepting
comments on the plan until May 27 by mail at 800 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Manager, Flight Service, Safety & Operations, AJR-B1
or online quoting docket FAA-2025-0558. “

FAA plans to shut down RCO network, seeks feedback comment
AOPA urges pilots to comment –

Pilots’ days of contacting flight service from the air
using the network of remote communications outlets (RCOs) appear to be numbered
following the FAA’s publication of its notice of intent to decommission the RCO system
largely because of a significant decline in its use – The FAA said written comments
should be submitted by May 27. AOPA will share its comments on the RCO plan with
the FAA and encourages members to do the same.” – Department of Transportation,
Federal Aviation Administration – [Docket No. FAA-2025-0558] – Please send written
comments:

By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into search field).

By mail: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Manager, Flight
Service, Safety & Operations, AJR-B1.
For the Story Click Here.

Updates on the Los Angeles County Aviation Commission Meeting, held at Whiteman Airport 4/30/2025.

Approximately 70 attendees, all in support of saving Whiteman Airport.  Most notable, approximately 12 Civil Air Patrol Cadets, all genders and ethnicities, and parents, gave well-spoken and impressive testimonies of how CAP at KWHP has changed, molded and improved their lives! I believe Eric Hasse, YouTube’s “SoCal Flying Monkey,” pilot, tenant and film maker recorded some of the testimonies.

With over 500 aircraft based at Whiteman (more aircraft than KEMT and KPOC combined), $1.9 million is generated in surplus revenue, it was brought to light that the county, facing $88 million dollar deficit, should not spend $1.3 million on a study to close its best revenue producing airport asset, that also was so important as a firefighting base during the recent LA fires helping to save over 7000 homes and businesses.

Pointed out, $51 million earmarked for KWHP federal funds should not be declined in light of pending runway improvement needs, and the two new commissioners recently appointed by Supervisor Horvath, were asked to carry this message to the Supervisor.  The CAP testimony was very strong in support of what the airport means to the youth of the community.  (Additionally, the Whiteman EAA Young Eagles program provides free flights for kids, the FAA Safety Program provides free recurrent community pilot training. and the airport provides many opportunities and jobs.)   Special to SCAUWG.ORG by J. Marc Haney, DDS, MS

SVANC 4/08/25 Meeting Notes / Review – Special to SCAUWG.ORG

“In a public meeting of the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council, LA City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla (District 6) spoke on a number of issues including the need for local youth activities and the nearby Whiteman Airport.

When asked about her own stances about Whiteman, past and present, an evasive Padilla claimed she had never spoken of the airport nor taken a definitive position amid the conjecture of possible closure. Instead, she reiterated her focus was Van Nuys Airport and brushed Whiteman off as a matter for City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (District 7), who represents the area Whiteman sits within.

Imelda Padilla was confronted with a February 2023 video recording of then-candidate Padilla speaking about Whiteman and stating her opposition to closure–citing its role in serving and supporting nearby communities. Padilla acknowledged only certain parts of her own remarks, but otherwise ignored her own statements. When it was pointed out that Whiteman Airport is a County facility not subject to Monica Rodriguez’ oversight, Padilla echoed her previous comments to say decision making around the airport was up to LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

When asked about the youth activities Whiteman has hosted for many decades, Imelda Padilla flippantly derided these–implying she “knew all about them” and that they were initiated for optics after recent mishaps. In actuality, the various programs based at the airport date back over 40 years and are possible thanks to volunteers.

As Imelda Padilla’s district includes Van Nuys Airport, which has been the subject of significant controversy and whose neighbors fear increased air traffic and its effects, it is flatly bizarre that Padilla apparently wishes to cede all future decision-making regarding the nearby Whiteman Airport to others. Given this abdication, Van Nuys Airport and its surrounding neighbors must accept and be prepared that Imelda Padilla may ignore them and their concerns altogether.

———————————
Interestingly, when Imelda Padilla spoke about the Rory Shaw Wetlands project at this meeting, she stated “my priority was to get Lindsey Horvath elected to get the Rory Shaw Wetlands Project.” However, when asked if she understood the significance of that project to Burbank airport (over concerns of the potential for bird strikes), Padilla demurred and stated this was “outside her purview.”Relevant YouTube Video of Imelda Padilla speaking can be seen Here (19:30-20:50)   – Matthew Stone

Responding to the NBC Coverage entitled LA County leaders appear to shift blame on wildfire response – Story by Conan Nolan and Karla Rendon,

LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath alleged the mayor’s office failed to communicate with her and coordinate issues related to fire recovery efforts, per correspondence obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Lindsey Horvath demonstrated by her defunding of Whiteman Airport, making further FAA fiscal support impossible, in step with her plans desiring the airport to close, evidenced by her support for a $1.3 million closure study, failed to publicly recognize the Whiteman staff and the related services provided that were firefighting essentials across the basin. She has cited environmental reasons, contradicted by the county’s studies and an SCAQMD report, as motivation to close the airport, which according to the FAA contractual obligation must stay open, the result of a 1999 land purchase. Reasonably, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath should embrace the performance and potential for emergency services at Whiteman Airport in her district rather than blame anyone for not supporting recent lifesaving efforts.

01/15/2025   Today an email survey was launched addressed to local politicians who have been critical of the airport, and who have sided with organizations like Pacoima Beautiful, and have urged that Whiteman be closed, in favor of “reimagining.” Many of these folks have now praised the firefighting response lodged against the recent and ongoing LA fires.  Many structures were left to burn as the firemen stood by without water access from what appeared to be fire hydrants whose potential lack of service went unnoticed. 

Like those fire hydrants whose potential importance went ignored, the value of our airports has been subject to the same erroneous and foolish practice.  The thousands of destroyed structures stand as undeniable evidence that existing brush should have been cleared, water pressure should have been checked and maintained, and a reservoir that took two months to drain should have been repaired and operational. All represent that taking our valuable resources for granted, isn’t the best of policies.

Whiteman Airport has been taken for granted.  Important politicians, profiteers, and publications have cited noise, pollution, and a waste of land value that should be reimagined and developed by real estate interests.  The fact that LA County-sponsored studies proved that those claims were wrong has not overridden the potential for personal profit from the acreage.  

Now, Whiteman’s value, and the value of other local reliever airports as well, has been unleashed!  Now the press coverage is filled with comments referring to firefighting aircraft like: “We would not be successful without them.” “Aircraft can reach areas otherwise inaccessible,” “The biggest tool in our arsenal,” “…so effective in battling…,” and many other accolades.  The DC-10s in use had to fly to San Berardino to be resupplied with retardant, imagine if our helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft didn’t have local airports to use.  Imagine if the 40 aircraft in service had only one airport to access. Imagine if the tall Air Traffic Control Tower at Whiteman didn’t exist because the field was closed, and it was replaced with housing and tall office buildings.

So, will the profiteering critics and the politicians in charge support our infrastructure now? When the flames subside will our fire hydrants, and our airports, be again taken for granted?  Will the future potential risks for community safety be ignored? 

Those emailed have been asked to officially answer those questions.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AVIATION UNITED WORKING GROUP (SCAUWG.ORG)
We make Safety and Airport Advocacy Happen

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2025
Contact: Ron Berinstein CFII
Director/Webmaster
(323) 394-1331
ronberinstein@hotmail.com

Thousands of people have lost their homes. Firemen were stranded without water to fight structures that were ablaze. Orders were given for the fireman to stand down. The devastation could not be stopped.

Those assumed responsible have blamed wind and no permissible airborne firefighting, which has caused strain on public works resources rather than emergency planning. This speaks directly about how important our airports and our aircraft are. Now that the aircraft are in flight, firefighting has become successful. Pilot training and the availability of emergency services are unmistakably necessary!

Let this be a warning to all that the energized efforts of some City Councilmembers, and County Supervisors, to close airports that the “Good Times” might NOT always Roll! Those allegedly spreading information to the public determined to be false, and disputed by LA County noise, health, and AQMD studies should stop.

Unprecedented events need to be anticipated! Earthquakes, floods, landslides, road closures, weather concerns, drought, plus life-saving medical demands all present risks, and DO OCCUR.

Yet, some authorities allegedly appear to have fallen prey to real-estate interests who would profit from airport closures and do so at the public’s expense. Politicians act on noise complaints from those who have probably purchased discounted homes, and who have signed escrow documents that disclose their properties are near an airport.

Recently 1.3 million dollars was allocated for a Whiteman Airport Closure Study, even after proof was offered that Whiteman, under FAA grant regulation, is obligated to stay open into perpetuity!

An associated LA County firefighting helicopter base is located at the Whiteman Airport in Pacoima. The airport’s tower is necessary to allow for quick emergency helicopter departures, and the airport provides equipment staging potential, as well as many other community benefits.

Torrance, Long Beach, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, and even Los Alamitos Army Airbase are airports under attack. Building houses, parks, tall buildings, and increasing traffic congestion at these properties will not help to prevent the destruction and peril that LA City and County need to be prepared for.

Airports are community treasures and necessary for public benefit and emergency relief. A needed re-evaluation of our emergency response capability also needs to include how some politicians regard airports.
Thank you for your attention.

——————————–
Ron Berinstein CFII
Director/Webmaster scauwg.org website
Southern California Aviation United Working Group
We Make Safety and Airport Advocacy Happen

09/13/2024 Special to SCAUWG.ORG
by Curt Castagna, NATA, EAGLE, Airport Commissioner

“We understand this project may be proceeding at LGB. It would be beneficial for the community outside the airport to understand the approval by the City and FAA, so that when flight patterns change there is an understanding of those impacts. Over the last several years the helicopter operators at LGB have “brought in” their pattern work over the airport environment, and this could reverse that benefit due to the need to maintain safety away from the new tower.”

Also, as published in “THEREGISTRY:”

Relativity Space To Build 131-foot Test Stand at Goodman Commerce Center in Long Beach
“Aerospace innovator Relativity Space plans to build a 131-foot-tall test stand at its Long Beach headquarters in the Goodman Commerce Center.
This new structure will play a pivotal role in the static testing of aerospace vehicles and systems, according to a report from Urbanize. According to an environmental notice, the stand will be used to test aerospace vehicles and systems, but no engine test-firing will occur.
The new test stand was scaled back from an earlier 200-foot design, but the shorter tower will still boost Relativity Space’s testing capabilities. According to the report, this adjustment came amidst concerns from local pilots and businesses at nearby Long Beach Airport, which raised objections to the original taller structure” Finish Reading Here.

4/06/2024

Filed Electronically via https://oeaaa.faa.gov
Re: Circularization Comments for ASN 2024-AWP-238-OE

The Southern California Airspace Users Working Group (SCAUWG) was formed under the aegis of the Southern California Association 0f Governments (SCAG) after the 1986 Cerritos Aircraft Crash disaster. The original Charter still adhered to can be viewed accessed at:
https://scauwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SCAUWG-Written-Charter.pdf

Though now operating independently as a group of dedicated aviation professionals, SCAUWG has provided the FAA the input necessary that has made the LA TAC the best of the best.

SCAUWG.ORG visited by thousands monthly, is an independent website that on behalf of SCAUWG and the aviation community is dedicated to publishing Aviation Education, Airspace Safety Data, Pilot resources, and pertinent Community Information.

On behalf of SCAUWG.ORG I urge the consideration of the observations filed with the FAA by AOPA, NATA, NBAA, and VAI, as requested community input regarding the proposed Relativity Space 200’ Static Tower near the runway environment at KLGB. Those comments can be viewed at:
https://scauwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FINAL-Coalition-Comments-Relativity-LGB.pdf

SCAUWG.ORG Contributing Editor Professional Cartographer Mike Carson (government employed) documented via data sourced from ADSBexchange.com the Feb 29-3/1/24 flight track data depicting a 10-mile area around Long Beach Airport. The proposed location of the 200’ Relativity Space tower is shown by a red dot. You can view a graphic application that illustrates the current actual flight tracks and their proximity to the proposed tower at:

https://canyon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=58ac1132577a438f9d6280c1ab27a11a

As a CFII and a veteran Aviation Safety Seminar presenter in the Los Angeles and San Diego, CA Aeras, as the publisher and director of SCAUWG.ORG specifically designed to address the FAA Western Region Aviation community, I feel that the application above visually documents the need for very careful assessment of the possible risk to flight and ground safety.

Thank you for your attention,

Ron Berinstein CFII
SCAUWG.ORG

SCAUWG.ORG
associated with
 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AIRSPACE USERS WORKING GROUP

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2024

Contact: Ron Berinstein CFII
Director/Webmaster
(323) 394-1331
ronberinstein@hotmail.com

_{Good News for Pacoima – Bad News for Disinformation Campaigners}

LOS ANGELES, CA – New Data from the LA County Department of Public Works and the County Department of Public Health in addition to data from the South Coast AQMD discredit the often-reiterated criticism that might propel certain “Shutdown Whiteman” Campaigners.

LA County Board of Supervisors as a matter of due diligence on Nov.7, 2023, directed the Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) to perform an analysis of blood lead levels around the Whiteman Airport.  Critics of the airport might suggest that children are endangered because of existing lead levels. The following official reports are meant to document certain Whiteman Airport highlights and discount bogus negative imaging.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH    DATED FEB.5, 2024

Based on the analysis completed by CLPPB, the percentage of children under 6 years old with a blood lead level equal to or greater than the CDC Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV) of 3.5 mcg/dL within 1.5 miles of Whiteman Airport is 1.75% compared to 2.26% for rest of Los Angeles County.” RESULT: Children’s endangerment messaging should cease immediately, and valid information should be substituted.

REPORTS FROM SOUTH COAST AQMD    – We believe these studies are overlooked.

The Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study V (MATES V – 2018-2019 – Whiteman Airport Results were substantially lower than the U.S. EPA Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) – similar to lead concentrations found in other parts of the South Coast Air Basin

2022 – Ten 24-hour samples were collected at Whiteman airport and analyzed for lead at South Coast AQMD’s laboratory.  Results were substantially lower than U.S. EPA’s national standard (150 ng/m³) – RESULT: Skewed Whiteman Airport lead messaging should cease immediately. Valid information should be substituted.

REPORT FROM LA COUNTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS    DATED FEB 5, 2024

UNLEADED FUEL IS ON THE WAY-    Public Works will provide Swift Fuels UL94 unleaded aviation gasoline. All LA COUNTY AIRPORTS WILL BE SERVED once the master agreement is finalized and the needed equipment is installed.

The LA County Department of Public Works Report and the LA County Public Health Report are available at https://scauwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LACDPW-DIRECTOR-REPORT-FEB1.pdf    The AQMD reports can be accessed at Whiteman Airport Lead Monitoring (aqmd.gov)

SCAUWG.ORG believes that good people armed with good information will make good decisions. Those truly interested in the welfare of the Pacoima community should be truly interested in ceasing any possible false statement of facts and instead embrace the opportunities that a local airport important for the National Airspace System, for community emergency services, for pilot safety, and for community economic vitality has to offer.   For additional airport information and aviation safety education, you are invited to visit www.scauwg.org