Zooming in on Angwin airport | Napa Valley Register

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Zooming in on Angwin airport

Year-long study a first step in county purchase of Parrett Field

Thursday, August 28, 2008

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By DAVID RYAN
Register City Editor

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After years of talk, Napa County may eventually buy Angwin Airport — but first a joint study paid for mostly by the Federal Aviation Administration must take flight.

Cash-poor Napa County needs FAA money to purchase the airport outright from Pacific Union College, but to get that kind of federal money the county must follow federal rules. That includes a more than $350,000 year-long study performed by consultants Coffman Associates to figure out whether the airport will remain viable and whether an alternative site might be better.

About 45 aircraft are based at PUC’s Parrett Field, which has 25 hangars and a 3,217-foot-long runway. It’s been open to the public since 1961. The airport’s main value to Napa County is that it sits on a high plateau above the fog line, serving as a valuable landing spot in poor weather conditions. It’s also the only airport Upvalley, and has been used by President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to visit the Napa Valley.

“My understanding is that the FAA really is interested in maintaining small airports and the Angwin airport in particular because of the ability to land above the fog,” said Napa County Supervisor Mark Luce.

In addition, PUC offers a bachelor of science degree in aviation. On a good weather day, the airport is abuzz with the roar of engines as planes take off and land.

The study will take a look at existing airport use as well as develop new forecasts of airport demand. The FAA is contributing $332,000 for the study, the California Division of Aeronautics will provide about $8,000 and PUC is providing about $9,000 in local match funds.

The public will have a chance to weigh in on the study: Consultants will host three public workshops, though details are not yet available.

According to a county staff report, the county and PUC will enter into a memorandum of understanding about negotiations for the airport. Notably, under terms of the MOU, PUC won’t be able to abandon the airport or sell it while negotiations are underway.

If the county does end up operating the airport, the money to purchase it would have to come from the federal government, Luce said, adding that the board expects the FAA is interested in keeping Parrett Field in use.

“That is our expectation, that they are interested and it’s a federal priority to maintain these small airports,” he said. “I guess it is the college’s decision whether or not they’re going to sell, but if they are going to sell the money is going to come from the federal government.”

5 comment(s)

No wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:23 AM:

" Here we go again. Mr. Ryan has given two reasons for the County and FAA to spend millions on this project.

First this is a safety move to provide for an emergency airport above the fog line. Perhaps Mr. Luce can tell how many emergency landings for Napa-bound planes has the Angwin runway accommodated in the last 5 years and how many emergencies has it caused? There are other emergency runways around including Pope Valley, which really is beyond the fog line. Why do we need to pretend this responds to an emergency that does not exist? If the flight is for a commercial purpose and really is for the benefit of the public, not a wealthy over-his-head flyboy, it will be instrument equipped and fog will not matter.

Second, so PUC can offer a BS in aviation. Why is this school again asking for a handout from us? Why should taxpayers pay so PUC can offer a degree to children of doctors? And how many of these degrees did it grant last year? 3? Mr. Ryan tells of airplanes abuzz above the field as if this is a good thing. It is not even correct. PUC’s vaunted aviation department consists of a total of 3 small training airplanes as far as I can tell from my casual look from the poor side of the fence.

Thirdly, as for being a handy runway for Bush and Cheney……

Let these 45 flyboys take their toys elsewhere and let’s spend money where people really need it. There are plenty of other things to do with PUC’s unwanted land including building low income housing for our poor deserving farm workers whose dreams of a home is much more compelling than fat cat’s flying toys. "

NUHS67 wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:57 AM:

" A waste of more taxpayer's money. Let PUC operate the airport. PUC can charge user fees. "

David Ingraham wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:46 PM:

" I have to agree with Mr. Luce and Mr. Ryan that the Angwin Airport needs to to be funded by the federal government to keep it up to date for emergency services.
There is an exceptional high quality Hospital Near by. This airport could also be an emergency field support for fire fighting air craft. One thing for sure the air port would be up graded to the highest standards. "

no wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:38 PM:

" What are “highest standards?” Fire fighting aircraft come from Santa Rosa. The hospital is served with a heliport generously donated by a local vintner. Perhaps that is why Mr. Luce did not mention these items and referred only to the supposed need for fog relief. We will live just fine without spending millions and millions for an airport in Angwin just as we have lived just fine after the closing of one in Calistoga. "

boots wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:24 AM:

" What an opportunity for huge concrete wine storage buildings! A big time industrial park! Just like Napa airport.

Read between the lines!

Napa County doing nothing to correct screwy Urban Bubble in Angwin and actually considering 400 houses and a hotel/mini mall complex in Angwin proposed by PUC. Humm....How can Napa County fairly and conflict free propose to buy the Angwin Airport from PUC while at the same time be responsible for approving or denying their proposed development ???

Even us simple Howell Muntain folks can see through the fog on this one! Land use decisions that should be conflict free are being held hostage by PUC and the County's desire to buy the Angwin Airport.

There is trouble in Angwin! "

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