From the desk of Airport Management, here is the year in review for Watsonville Municipal Airport fiscal year 2018-2019.
HIGHLIGHTS
Alleged diversion of revenue claim settled
Primary Runway Two-Two Zero Rehabilitation
Upgraded Signage and Runway End Identifier Lights installed
FAA Flight Procedures brings new DPs: WVI 4 and GARLIK One
Airport Operations Center opens for business
FAA confirms $400k grant for Crosswind Runway Rehab
Revenue exceeds expenses for 5th consecutive year
Calstar based at Watsonville Airport Center
“Beer Mule” craft brewery opens at 45 Aviation Way
Construction of DGS facility at 120 Aviation Way continues
Go Jump (Sky Dive Surf City) completes 2nd year of operations
Two Airport Ops Specialist pass Operations Certification Exam
Annual hangar inspection 90% compliant
Airport contracts for Economic Impact Study
Selected new Planning, Environmental & Engineering Consultants
Airport Open House third successful year
Return of Airport Car Show; partner with local Club
Sixth year of “Second Saturdays”; expanded to “2nd Weekends”
Tenant Appreciation Fire Extinguisher Service & Blood Drive
Tenant of the Year: Ken Adelman
LOWLIGHTS
Santa Cruz Flying Club stolen aircraft
Challenges with off field thefts
Runway 27 take-off NA due to RVZ
Parking availability a challenge
Airport noise complaints rise
A look ahead to 2019-20
Construction: Crosswind Runway rehab; Completed by end October 2019**
Infrastructure: Roof maintenance/repairs; 3nd year of 3 year plan continues*
Operations: Purchasing two new Airport Operations Utility Vehicles*
Finances: Begins year with Airport fund balance over $500,000
The Five year Airport Improvement Plan summary
2019:
Rehabilitate runway, seal cracks and remark Runway 9-27**
Submit application for Airport Layout Plan and Airport Master Plan**
2020:
Submit application for Airport Permanent Ramp Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment**
Airport Layout Plan and Airport Master Plan commences**
2021:
Submit application for Primary Runway Extension Environmental Assessment**
Permanent Ramp Rehab EA commences**
2022:
Submit application for Design Permanent Ramp Rehab
Runway Ext EA commences, Airport Master Plan update concludes
2023:
Submit application for Permanent Ramp Rehabilitation construction
Permanent Ramp Rehab EA concludes**
* =via Airport Enterprise Fund, **= FAA funded
Dear Watsonville Airport Community,
Before Opening NorCal Avionics in 2015, I worked with Mike Pisenti at Airmartronics, that had been operating at WVI for many years. I do not come from a business background, but I decided to open NorCal Avionics because I enjoy electronics and aircraft (pilot for 35 years). I also wanted to support the GA community with avionics services that looked to be in somewhat short supply after Airmartronics closed.
Now as one of the worse years is coming to an end, I can not believe that my avionics business plans could also be ending. After all my years of setup and working with the FAA, I am now getting forced off the field by airport management.…