DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS - M.S.#40 1120 N STREET
P. 0. BOX 942873 SACRAMENTO, CA 94273-0001
PHONE (916) 654-4959 FAX (916) 653-9531
May 11, 2004
The Honorable Michael D. Antonovich Supervisor, Fifth District Los Angeles County
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration #869 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Antonovich:
The California Department of Transportation (Department), Division of Aeronautics, was copied on an April 20, 2004, letter to your office from the Agua Dulce Civic Association regarding the Aqua Dulce Airpark. The Department's regulatory and permitting roles within the State of California were mischaracterized in that letter with respect to airports. The letter begs our response to you to clarify our position.
State Airport Permits are issued as a part of our role under the California Public Utilities Code (PUC) relating to the State Aeronautics Act, and the California Code of Regulations (CCRs). Specifically, the Department does not require airports to obtain prior approval from us to build taxiways, ramps, hangers, or aircraft parking areas. Our focus on runways, obstructions, and markings are key elements evaluated by our inspections and permit application procedures.
Pre-approval of all airport projects is not a requirement of any state airport permit holder. Local approval of non-runway related airport projects is left up to the local authorities. Submission of a plan for airport expansion, other than runways or runway protection zone, in accordance with the PUC is not required by privately owned public-use airports.
Some additional clarifications with regard to the Agua Dulce Civic Association's statements are as follows:
The Aqua Dulce Airpark holds a State Public-Use Airport Permit, not a Special-Use Airport Permit, as seems is implied. The terms and conditions dictated by local conditional land use permits are evaluated by the Department initially at the time of application for an airport permit to ensure local approval. Any conditions imposed by local authorities must then be enforced by local authorities not the Department.Under Federal Aviation Administration Regulations (FARs) related to the collection of Airport Master Record data, an inspector must convey verbatim any and all safety remarks given or requested by airport management.
The removal of older hangers obstructing runway surfaces and replacement with new hangers has increased former safety margins.Overall, the Department finds that the Aqua Dulce Airpark has largely improved safety conditions in recent years and has upgraded airport maintenance levels from previously identified marginal conditions, under previous owners, and past management.
The Department welcomes the opportunity to comment and make recommendations or assist local communities with land use planning issues and is willing to participate in those associated local processes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at (916) 654-5470 or by e-mail at robert.a.wiswell@dot.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
R. AUSTIN WISWELL, Chief Division of Aeronautics
cc: Mr. Ted A. Gustin Chief - Aviation Division County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Mr. Mark McClardy Safety & Standards Branch, AWP-620 Western-Pacific Region Airports
Division
Mr. Barry Kirshner Aqua Dulce Airpark