Question 1

Who are the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) members and how were they selected?

Accepted Answer

The CAC members were selected by Los Angeles County Supervisor Khuel’s office and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Rodriquez’s office, both in collaboration with LA County Department of Public Works (operator of the airport). CAC members are Pacoima community leaders and airport stakeholders (i.e. residents, airport users, and emergency services) who use their local insight and knowledge to understand community concerns and identify new opportunities, such as the creation of local jobs, community beneficial uses, and dedicated open space at the airport, as well as other airport-based improvements.   Maria Chong-Castillo, Deputy for Public Works, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Jessica Orellana, District Director for San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Rocío Hernández, District Director Council Member Monica Rodriquez John Hernandez, Pacoima Chamber of Commerce Veronica Padilla-Campos, Pacoima Beautiful Yvonne E. Mariajimenez, Neighborhood Legal Services Mikayeel Khan, Pacoima Neighborhood Council Bobby Arias, Champions in Service Rudy Ortega, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Jasmine Tuyet Le, Student representative Melissa Alvarez, Student representative Isaac Fajardo Charles Nelson, Pacoima Neighborhood Watch Heren Molina, Council District 7 Michelle Rogel, Community Volunteer Eduardo (Eddie) Gonzales, Pacoima Chamber of Commerce Margarita Lopez Jeanne Fenimore, Whiteman Pilot and Airport User Penny Alderson, Vista Aviation Robert Gaylor, LA County Fire Department Trevor Richmond, LA City Fire Department Ryan Antoon, 3rd District Appointee/Ex Officio

Question 2

Is the public able to provide input to this process?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the meetings associated with this project are public meetings and subject to the Brown Act.  In each meeting there will be a period for open public comment.  There will be several public-focused workshops as part of this process.  Members of the public are encouraged to contribute to the vision for the Airport, whether through public comments at the meetings or using online platforms, including:

https://ReEnvisionWhitemanAirport.com

Question 3

What is the Brown Act?

Accepted Answer

The Brown Act is a state law that guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies.  Through the Brown Act, the public can openly speak and comment on the actions of local government during noticed public meetings.  The purpose of the Brown Act is to safeguard the public’s interests from being excluded through closed-door decisions.  To that end, there are also many rules for decision-makers under the Brown Act to prevent bias or collusion.  Here is a link to the actual law: California Brown Act

Question 4

How can I get in contact with the project team?

Accepted Answer

Information for Re-Envisioning Whiteman Airport, including contact details can be found at https://ReEnvisionWhitemanAirport.com.  Comments and questions may be emailed to ContactUs@ReEnvisionWhitemanAirport.com.  Project staff will also be active on social media.

Question 5

Where can I be notified of upcoming CAC meetings?

Accepted Answer

To stay up to date on the progress of the project, you may sign up for email notifications at https://ReEnvisionWhitemanAirport.com, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.  For the first two meetings, flyers were distributed to residents and businesses within 1,000 feet of the Airport and mailed to residents and businesses within one mile.  Meeting emails and flyers are distributed to community organizations including the Neighborhood Council, Pacoima Beautiful, and the Chamber of Commerce as well as available at the Whiteman Airport terminal building.

Question 6

What opportunities exist for local youth at the airport?

Accepted Answer

The County airports host numerous events and activities directed to the local youth and public throughout each year.  Some of past events have included Challenge Air for Kids & Friends, Aircraft Display Days, Fly-Ins, Air Races, and others.  In addition to providing tours of the airport facilities, airport personnel also participate in local events such as the American Heroes Air Show held at the Hansen Dam Sports and Recreation Center each year, Career Days at local public and charter schools, and the annual Aviation Career Day held at Van Nuys Airport, among numerous other airport-related events and activities.  Check the Events & Activities calendar for upcoming events at Whiteman and the other County airports.  There are several ongoing opportunities for youth at Whiteman Airport including:  The Air Explorer program provides low-cost flight training for young people. For more information, please visit their website: Kitty Hawk Squadron 3 San Fernando Valley 99s Aviation Explorers 747 program offers flight skills training for teens. For more information, please visit their website: San Fernando Valley 99s - Aviation Explorers 747 The Civil Air Patrol Squadron 35 provides education and training for interested civilians. For more information, please visit their website: San Fernando Senior Squadron 35 – Whiteman Airport | Civil Air Patrol, Los Angeles Group 1 The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program offers free flights and awareness programs for community youth. For more information, please visit their website: Young Eagles – EAA Chapter 40

Question 7

Do you have Vaccination Clinics?

Accepted Answer

Whiteman Airport has been the host site for several local Covid-19 vaccination clinics.  There are none currently scheduled but check this site often for upcoming vaccination clinics.

Question 8

Do you have Food Drives?

Accepted Answer

Whiteman Airport has been the host site for several local food drives during the Covid-19 pandemic.  There are none currently scheduled but check this site often for upcoming food drives.

Question 9

What about the Whiteman Airport 75th Anniversary Open House event?

Accepted Answer

The Whiteman Airport 75th Anniversary Open House event has been postponed until Spring, 2022 due to Covid-19 safety concerns.  The event will showcase the Airport, its businesses, its community programs, and provide a forum for feedback on re-envisioning the airport.   All suggestions on what to include in the Open House event are being considered.   If you would like to suggest an idea, please submit your feedback at: https://www.reenvisionwhitemanairport.com

Question 10

How can the wider community be made aware of the Re-envisioning Whiteman Airport process outside of normal channels of communication?

Accepted Answer

In order to reach the widest audience, we are currently vetting all options received through the CAC meetings and the project website in order to select the best channels of communication. Therefore further information will be available once the options have been selected. If you would like to suggest an idea please submit your feedback at:   https://www.reenvisionwhitemanairport.com/

Question 11

Please define what “Community Outreach” means.

Accepted Answer

Our efforts to connect the communities we serve with Public Works’ projects and programs.

Question 12

For community members that do not have internet access, are there physical locations where information on the Re-envisioning Whiteman Airport Project, such as meeting agendas, can be found?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, printed agendas and information for the project can be found at the following locations:  	Whiteman Airport Office
	10000 Airpark Way
	Pacoima, CA 91331-7393

Question 13

How will on-site airport businesses and tenants be informed about the Re-envisioning Whiteman Airport Project?

Accepted Answer

In order to reach the widest possible audience, we are currently vetting all options received through the CAC meetings and the project website in order to select the best channels of communication.  Further information will be available once the options have been selected.  If you would like to suggest an idea, please submit your feedback at:   https://www.reenvisionwhitemanairport.com/

Question 14

How many airport tenants live locally in the Pacoima area?

Accepted Answer

Public Works is working to compile this information and will provide an update once the full details are known.

Question 15

How many jobs does the airport create?

Accepted Answer

In 2020, Public Works performed an Economic Impact Analysis of the 5 County airports.  Whiteman Airport directly creates 246 jobs, with an additional 166 employment opportunities created because of economic multipliers.  A total of $19 million of income is generated annually for the total workforce, while an estimated $54.5 million of annual airport-related spending benefits the airfield and the surrounding community each year.  Further details can be found in the 2020 Economic Impact Analysis:

LA County Airports Economic Impact Analysis 2020.pdf

Question 16

Whom deems an aircraft safe to fly (airworthiness)?

Accepted Answer

An airworthiness certificate is an FAA document which grants authorization to operate an aircraft in flight.  The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aircraft Certification Service includes more than 1,300 engineers, scientists, inspectors, test pilots and other experts. They are responsible for oversight of design, production, airworthiness certification, and continued airworthiness programs for all U.S. civil aviation products and foreign import products.  The FAA collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization and other civil aviation authorities to maintain and advance the safety of international air transportation.

https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/aw_overview

Question 17

How does an aircraft maintain its airworthiness?

Accepted Answer

Each individual aircraft owner is responsible for the airworthiness of their aircraft. The owner must use a certified mechanic to perform the required aircraft maintenance.

We want to hear from you!

Have additional questions or comments? You can submit them here.

Contact