Torrance Airport - Zamperini Field is a hotbed of controversy.
Home to the Western Museum of Flight, Robinson Helicopters, a large Flight Training Facility among others, a small terminal, and the Torrance Airport Association. "The airport is classified by the FAA as a Regional Reliever and was once known as Torrance Municipal Airport; it was renamed for local sports and war hero Louis Zamperini on December 7, 1946, the fifth anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack." - Wikipedia
Yet, no matter the rich heritage and the important place Torrance occupies in the LA Airspace as a reliever, the home of an aviation industry leader, and a center for pilot education, the City of Torrance has been accused of desiring airport closure. Restrictions ordered by the City Council that have canceled the renewal of business licenses of airport stakeholders, the imposition of Landing Fees, the prohibition of touch and go's, the restricted flight and restricted taxi rules, the desire to regulate departure routes favoring their idea of noise abatement, the delayed alleged purposeful lack of airport lighting repairs causing operational restrictions, and finally proposing measures that allegedly will allow airport derived income to leave the airport (City Measure TC on the November 2024 ballot), all have caused significant umbrage, in-fighting, alleged FAA Regulation Violations, and lawsuits against the City.
Torrance Airport Association
As of this date, it would appear that there are several Internet References to a "Torrance Airport Association" that may be misleading. Jim Gates, longtime Torrance Airport advocate and past president of TAA continues to maintain his website, taainfo.org. Paying attention to the date articles were published tells the tale. Here is the detailed site list data as of October 22, 2024:
Due to restructuring and a new TAA Board of Directors, the new TAA website is https://yourtaa.org.." - The new website is the only official source of TAA agenda. As of this date, it is still being designed and more comprehensive. Edited 10/27/2024
This is now reflected on the TAAinfo.org website, which will soon be replaced as yourTAA.org comes online.
City of Torrance - "Trending in Torrance"
This is an official source of information as published by the City of Torrance. "Airport Matters" will reflect the City's voice.
* Measure TC - Removal of Article 15 of the City Charter
"The November Election ballot will have the Council-supported Charter Amendment that includes removing the Airport Fund from the City Charter to keep it consistent with all other funds, which are not listed in the City Charter. The Airport Fund is not being eliminated from the City’s budget. If approved by voters, the Finance Department will administer the Airport Fund as it does with all other funds in the budget such as the General Fund, Capital Improvement, Transit, Sewer, Water, and other Enterprise funds. There will be no changes to the budget, budget process, or airport operations as a result of this proposed Charter Amendment." Trending in Torrance - Status 10/03/2024
It is suggested by the TAA that this measure is dangerous for Torrance Airport.
An Explanation of Measure TC and why a NO vote is necessary. By Jim Gates - CLICK HERE.
"Friends of Zamperini Field Political Action Committee is fighting Measure TC, which removes from the City Charter the requirement that all money raised from airport property be spent on the operation and maintenance of the airport." - Jim Gates, site proprietor The LA Times identified that the council in this measure is asking for more than a 2000% salary increase. Should you be interested in finding out more about Measure TC and how to fight it, CLICK HERE. - there has been a PAC formed.
SLING PILOT ACADEMY vs. City of Torrance
"A Torrance flight school which earlier this year won a preliminary injunction preventing the city from blocking renewal of its license has settled its legal action against the South Bay community.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin issued the injunction ruling on Jan. 12 on behalf of Sling Pilot Academy and had earlier handed down a temporary restraining order against the city. The academy’s attorneys filed court papers with Kin on Tuesday notifying him of a settlement of the case, but no terms were divulged. - The City Council on Dec. 12 denied Sling’s appeal of the decision to not renew its license. However, the academy’s attorneys maintained in their court papers that federal law is clear that only the federal government, and more specifically the Federal Aviation Administration, exclusively regulate flying aircraft.
“The (Sling) petition seeks to remedy an egregious wrong being perpetrated by city..." Continue reading HERE.
Related links
- Torrance License Review Board denies flight school’s appeal
- Sling flight school, Torrance continue negotiating as judge delays next hearing to mid-April
- Torrance residents group pushes for unleaded aviation gas at municipal airport
- Torrance City Council rejects land use study that sparked fears of airport closure
- Sling Pilot Academy submits formal complaint with the FAA
Continued Legal pursuits waged by Sling Pilot Academy over policy still endure. More to follow.
Edited 10/20/2024
Torrance Pilot Input:
"The biggest news is that the city has released a NEW Request for Proposals (RFP) for lighting. The same stuff they started repairing 2 years ago. The repairs were substandard, so they are starting all over. The RFP is posted on the trending site. They also say they are about to restripe runways and paint hangers. That is on the site [Trending in Torrance]." - GP 10/16/2024
The Airport Report by Jim Gates - AIRPORT PROJECT STATUS - 9/28/2024
In August, I asked Mayor Chen about the status of airport projects and he referred the questions to Shant Megerdichian, Director of General Services Department. Mr. Megerdichian referred me to the "Trending in Torrance" website for answers and advised me that he oversaw all airport projects.
This month, I asked Mr. Megerdichian for an update and, again, he referred me to the website--which was unchanged from August. Below are the specific questions I asked:
AWOS
Torrance is the only airport in southern California without an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS). Its installation remains THE top priority for airport customers, according to a recent survey.
From "Trending in Torrance" website on 9/26/2024: “Design did not pass plan check as further specifications of the equipment are needed. Design vendor Lean Corp. unable to specify one manufacturer over another due to potential conflict of interest. General Services has solicited construction management services to identify an authorized contractor/ installer so that the equipment specification details can be provided to complete plans and be approved through plan check. Project will be awarded after approval.”
What has been accomplished in September? None reported
What accomplishments are planned for October? None reported
What is the projected RFP release date? Unknown
When will proposals be submitted? Unknown
When will the contract be award be awarded? Unknown
What is the projected operational date? Unknown
Some issues are delaying the project include the interface with ATIS and the FAA equipment. For example, will both AWOS and ATIS be able to operate on one frequency, how does the AWOS information interface with existing airport instrumentation and will AWOS be able to use the same phone number as is used for ATIS when the tower is closed. Answers involve several government entities.
TAXIWAY LIGHT REPLACEMENT
The Torrance Airport taxiway lights have been inoperative for over three years. Over the past year, nearly $400K has been spent in a failed effort to make repairs. Complete replacement of the decades-old system is now the only answer.
From "Trending in Torrance" website on 9/26/2024:
“8/22/24 - Staff is developing a design/build Request for Proposals (RFP) for the complete replacement of all runway and taxiway lights and signage. This will include removal of all existing lights and signs,which will be replaced by new LED lighting fixtures, signage, and underground wiring. The Airport remains open for overnight operations. The RFP is projected to be released in Q3 of FY 2024-25.
What has been accomplished in September? None reported
What accomplishments are planned for October? None reported
What is the projected RFP release date? Around 2/1/2025
When will proposals be submitted? Unknown
When will the contract be awarded? Unknown
What is the projected operational date? Unknown
RUNWAY 29R/11L RE-STRIPING PROJECT
Airport Manager Rafael Herrera reported that a contractor has been selected and repainting of the main runway and taxiways would take a total of 6 days to complete. The project would start in about 60 days (by the end of November). The airport will remain open, although 29R/11L would be closed for about 2 days for the paint to set. The south runway will not be re-striped and will remain open. Taxiways will also be re-striped in phases, with traffic routed around the closed taxiways onto the ramp. There is concern about mixing aircraft with autos and pedestrians, so exercise extreme caution.
NOISE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
An instructor from Pacific Skies Aviation (PSA) recently received a notice to appear before the Torrance Airport Noise Administrative Hearing Board for allegedly making a “low approach.” Like the Pilot Academy instructor who had been called before the Board some months ago, the PSA instructor engaged a lawyer. His lawyer wrote to Michelle Ramirez, Director of Community Development, and raised issues about the hearing board’s violations of Torrance Municipal Code, the California Code of Civil Procedure, the California Constitution, and Federal laws. The hearing was postponed. These issues had been previously raised with the Pilot Academy case and that hearing was hastily cancelled. As previously reported here, multiple courts have ruled that the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) has the exclusive authority to regulate aviation safety and the efficient use of the airspace by aircraft. Attempts by state and local governments to regulate in those fields are preempted. Many Torrance ordinances conflict with Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) authority involving takeoffs, landings, touch and go’s, stop and go’s, and low approaches. To learn more about this issue, go to https://www.torranceairport.org/myth/
CHANGE TO CTAF FREQUENCY
The TOA CTAF frequency will change from 124.0 to 133.075 in about 2 months (around December)—after it is published in the FAA's Airport Facilities Directory. Friends of Zamperini Field Political Action Committee is fighting Measure TC, which removes from the City Charter the requirement that all money raised from airport property be spent on the operation and maintenance of the airport.
*Edited 10/20/2024 You can view the original report as written by Jim Gates HERE.
The Airport Report by Jim Gates CUSTOMER SURVEY RESULTS - 09/09/2024
The results are in.
127 airport customers responded to our survey:
75% are hangar tenants; 10% are on tie-downs
56% own their aircraft; 11% rent
75% have been airport customers for 10 or more years; 55% for 20 or
more years
5% are business owners
Here are the responses to the questions. A large number of additional written comments were also received:
1) As a Torrance Airport customer, do you feel valued?
9% YES; 91% NO
2) As a Torrance Airport customer, do you feel that you are treated
honestly?
28% YES; 72% NO
3) As a Torrance Airport customer, do you feel you are treated fairly?
28% YES; 72% NO
4) How would you rate the condition of Torrance Airport as compared with
other public use airports you have used?
Find out more about these topics, Airport Project Status, The Friends of Zamperini Field, and Measure TC, by CLICKING HERE.
*Edited 10/20/2024