VAN NUYS PROP ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER     March 2008

Skytrails/ Maguire Hangar Move – It’s Really Happening!

The long-anticipated move is now under way.  For hangar and tie-down tenants of Skytrails North, the following information is the most current information we have gathered regarding the move to the temporary location.

• The move will start in early March and will take between 30-45 days.
• Electricity & lighting will be installed after move is complete.
• "T" hangars moved will be paid for by Skytrails at $1800.00 each.
• Larger hangars, other than "T" hangars, will be credited for $1800.00 and the remainder of costs will be up to hangar owner in the amount of approximately an additional $1200.00 for a total of $3000.00 per hanger.
• THERE WILL BE NO RENT CHANGE during this time in the temporary area.
• Tie downs will be ready at the end of May, and the rates may increase to $185/month. (This is not yet confirmed.)
• There will be two gate accesses to the temporary area: one at Saticoy near Raytheon and the other on Byrd, near the Syncro hangar.
• They will prepare complete sections of "T" hangars at a time and paint when moving starts or when they are separated from one another.
• There was some discussion about us renting "Pods" to store items during the move. (See below regarding Packrat)
• We were told it will take one day to move each hangar. The mover, Roy Stark, said he would have a large crew moving the hangars simultaneously. 
• Skytrails/Maguire will only deal with individuals, NOT with the Hangar Association as a group, as in the past.
• Skytrails/Maguire will start with a three year lease for the temporary site, with two additional one-year options, for a possible five year total lease.
• The ground space for owner’s hangars will be $00.25 per sq/ft.
• At this time fuel will be available via fuel trucks from different sources and special price arrangements are being discussed regarding fuel for the temporary area.

Storage Pod info:  1 800 PACKRAT or  (805) 552-0253
Jamie is offering a special for the Hangar Association for $175.00 for the first month and $125.00 for an additional month. This includes delivery of the “pod” storage unit, (8”X16”) pick up to storage, and then re-delivers when ready to unload. This is a good deal.   

Thanks to Greg Morton for gathering this information.

Progress on VNY Airport Emergency Response Team (VERT)

Working with LAWA, the Van Nuys Airport Association (VNAA) and VNY Propeller Aircraft Association, volunteers are now signing up to assist families whose loved ones might be aboard an aircraft involved in an accident at or near the Van Nuys Airport.

We are still seeking volunteers who will train for a day-and-a-half (and then quarterly) and be on-call should an accident occur. Volunteer team members will meet with affected families at a location near the airport, and provide comfort while being a conduit for information from the emergency rescue crews. 

Dr. Phil Jones and Dr. Bonnita Wirth are providing professional training to VERT volunteers beginning late March or early April.  Team members will have an opportunity to rehearse the process at the upcoming AirEx emergency exercises on June 11.

If you are interested in lending your time to the Team, please contact Dan Katz at thatzkatz@socal.rr.com or call (818) 772-0676.

"Lock Up Look Out." That's the new message from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to pilots and others in the general aviation (GA) industry. AOPA and the TSA have once again teamed up to completely update the highly successful AOPA Airport Watch program, providing tips on keeping their aircraft and airports secure to every pilot in the country.

"Airport Watch works. We know it. The TSA knows it," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now we1ve completely updated the program, incorporating all we1ve learned since it started nearly four years ago."

Fashioned after the successful neighborhood watch program, AOPA's Airport Watch calls on pilots, aircraft owners, business owners, and others who are regularly at their local airport, to be the eyes and ears needed to keep that area secure. The program also encourages pilots to lock their airplanes and hangars after each use, and ask others to do the same.

AOPA's Airport Watch encourages anyone who notices something suspicious to report it by calling the toll-free hotline, 866-GA-SECURE, or 911 if immediate response is needed. 866-GA-SECURE is staffed 24/7 by TSA employees, and each incident that is reported is investigated.

"Airport Watch is a simple, cost-effective program that works at all airports," said Boyer. "If eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, then we1re taking this opportunity to remind pilots to protect their freedom to fly by keeping a watchful eye on their local airports."

As part of the updated program, AOPA and TSA this week mailed a letter, brochure, and Airport Watch decals to every pilot in the country. In addition, airport managers, state aviation directors, select state legislators, and many FAA offices will receive a training DVD about Airport Watch and are asked to promote the program.

FMI: www.aopa.org/airportwatch

Events...