Palmdale Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Palmdale Airport is an airport in the city of Palmdale
in Los Angeles County, California
, United States
.
It contains two separate facilities:
United States Air Force Plant 42 an entity of the United States Air Force
which controls and oversees the airport property. - Main Article Plant 42
The LA/Palmdale Regional Airport, owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports
, an agency of the city of Los Angeles
, controls a small commercial terminal and a hangar complex (Site 9) on land leased from the US government.
Most of the existing airport serves predominantly as a manufacturing plant for aircraft used by the United States' and their allies' military forces. The LA/Palmdale Regional Airport itself is a small commercial air terminal leased from the Air Force
by Los Angeles World Airports
(LAWA), a department of the city of Los Angeles
. The airport terminal is located at the southwest corner of the airport and began civilian operations in 1971.
The FAA's Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center
is located next to the facility at Palmdale Airport.
Plant 42
.
From 1970 to 1983, the Los Angeles Department of Airports, now called Los Angeles World Airports
(LAWA), acquired approximately 17750 acres (72 km²) of land east and south of the airport in unincorporated Los Angeles County to be developed into the future "Palmdale Intercontinental Airport," with the goal of providing a regional alternative to LAX
. To date, LAWA has not developed its Palmdale airport land beyond that of a small commuter airport terminal serving only the Antelope Valley
. In late 2008, the city of Palmdale expressed interest in assuming operations at Palmdale Airport, including management of the terminal, taxiways, and parking, from LAWA. In response, LAWA indicated that it was receptive to transferring the lease to Palmdale. Los Angeles still desires to retain the land it owns adjacent to Palmdale for eventual use as an airport. However, the city is currently exploring potential non-aviation uses for the land, including activities related to energy production.
After several airlines were unable to sustain flight operations at Palmdale, the terminal was remodeled and reopened in May 2007 to attract commercial carriers to the airport. But convincing airlines of the marketability of the airport without subsidies has been difficult. Although Palmdale Airport offers airline passengers a quicker ground transportation travel time from Sherman Oaks than the standard LAX airport car trip down the 405
freeway, it has not consistently provided the range of destinations that would convince passengers to consider it as an alternative to relieve the overcrowding at LAX and Bob Hope Airport
in Burbank
. While the communities surrounding LAX and Burbank do not want the added traffic volume and noise of additional flights, most Antelope Valley residents support expanding service at Palmdale Regional, due to the positive economic benefits that regular commercial service would provide.
In January 2007, subsidies valued at $4.6 million, with $2 million slated to underwrite losses incurred from providing airline service, were raised to restore commercial service to the airport. The incentive package included a $900,000 grant from the federal government given to the city of Palmdale to develop regional airport service.
In February 2007, the city of Palmdale and LAWA selected United Airlines to provide service between Palmdale and San Francisco International Airport
. (The only other proposal was from Delta Air Lines
to Salt Lake City). The SkyWest Airlines
-operated United Express
offered twice-daily, regional jet service beginning on June 7, 2007.
Between June 7 and December 31, 2007, the airport had served a total of 12,022 passengers, or approximately 58 passengers per day.
On September 3, 2008, the San Francisco service was increased from two 50-seat regional jets to four 30-seat turboprop flights per day. However, on its September 18 schedule update, United canceled all flights beginning December 7, 2008, the day after the expiration of the federal grant and exactly 18 months after the beginning of the PMD services.
LAWA is currently developing a master plan for Palmdale that will guide airport land use and development decisions through 2030.
The following is a table of former flights that have been offered from PMD:
, a Boeing 737 landing on Runway 24L at LAX
, collided upon touchdown with a SkyWest Airlines
Fairchild Metroliner, Flight 5569 departing to Palmdale Regional Airport, that had been holding in position on the same runway. The collision killed all 12 occupants of the SkyWest plane and 22 persons aboard the USAir 737.
The two main runway
s at this airport are each over 2 miles (3 km) in length each.
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
in Los Angeles County, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
It contains two separate facilities:
United States Air Force Plant 42 an entity of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
which controls and oversees the airport property. - Main Article Plant 42
Plant 42
Air Force Plant 42 is a federally owned military aerospace facility under the control of the Air Force Material Command in Palmdale, California...
The LA/Palmdale Regional Airport, owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California, United States...
, an agency of the city of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, controls a small commercial terminal and a hangar complex (Site 9) on land leased from the US government.
Overview
When combining the existing 5,800 acres (23 km²) of the current airport with the 17,500 acres (71 km²) of undeveloped land for the future airport, at 23,300 acres (94 km²) Palmdale Airport can be considered one of the largest civilian airports in the world.Most of the existing airport serves predominantly as a manufacturing plant for aircraft used by the United States' and their allies' military forces. The LA/Palmdale Regional Airport itself is a small commercial air terminal leased from the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
by Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California, United States...
(LAWA), a department of the city of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. The airport terminal is located at the southwest corner of the airport and began civilian operations in 1971.
The FAA's Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center
Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center
Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center is an air traffic control center located in Palmdale, California, United States. It is located at the northeast corner of 25th Street East and Avenue P adjacent to USAF Plant 42 and the LA/Palmdale Regional Airport.One of 22 Air Route Traffic Control...
is located next to the facility at Palmdale Airport.
History
Built in 1940, Palmdale Airport was operated by the United States government, primarily as an emergency landing strip. In 1946 its operation was turned over to Los Angeles County for private use. In 1950, the airport was again taken over by the federal government for use in building and testing military aircraft, thus establishing operation of United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Plant 42
Plant 42
Air Force Plant 42 is a federally owned military aerospace facility under the control of the Air Force Material Command in Palmdale, California...
.
From 1970 to 1983, the Los Angeles Department of Airports, now called Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California, United States...
(LAWA), acquired approximately 17750 acres (72 km²) of land east and south of the airport in unincorporated Los Angeles County to be developed into the future "Palmdale Intercontinental Airport," with the goal of providing a regional alternative to LAX
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
. To date, LAWA has not developed its Palmdale airport land beyond that of a small commuter airport terminal serving only the Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley in California, United States, is located in northern Los Angeles County and the southeastern portion of Kern County, California, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert...
. In late 2008, the city of Palmdale expressed interest in assuming operations at Palmdale Airport, including management of the terminal, taxiways, and parking, from LAWA. In response, LAWA indicated that it was receptive to transferring the lease to Palmdale. Los Angeles still desires to retain the land it owns adjacent to Palmdale for eventual use as an airport. However, the city is currently exploring potential non-aviation uses for the land, including activities related to energy production.
Interstate 405 (California)
Interstate 405 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in Southern California. It is a bypass of Interstate 5, running along the western areas of the Greater Los Angeles Area from Irvine in the south to near San Fernando in the north...
freeway, it has not consistently provided the range of destinations that would convince passengers to consider it as an alternative to relieve the overcrowding at LAX and Bob Hope Airport
Bob Hope Airport
Bob Hope Airport is a public airport located 3 miles northwest of the central business district of Burbank, a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
in Burbank
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
. While the communities surrounding LAX and Burbank do not want the added traffic volume and noise of additional flights, most Antelope Valley residents support expanding service at Palmdale Regional, due to the positive economic benefits that regular commercial service would provide.
In January 2007, subsidies valued at $4.6 million, with $2 million slated to underwrite losses incurred from providing airline service, were raised to restore commercial service to the airport. The incentive package included a $900,000 grant from the federal government given to the city of Palmdale to develop regional airport service.
In February 2007, the city of Palmdale and LAWA selected United Airlines to provide service between Palmdale and San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
. (The only other proposal was from Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
to Salt Lake City). The SkyWest Airlines
Skywest Airlines
Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is a regional airline company based in Perth, Western Australia, Australia; servicing key towns in the state of Western Australia, Darwin, Northern Territory and Melbourne, Victoria; as well as charter flights to Bali, Indonesia....
-operated United Express
United Express
United Express is a brand name under which eight regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. They primarily connect smaller cities with United's domestic hub airports and “focus cities,” although they offer some point-to-point service such as Sacramento to Eureka.As of Sept...
offered twice-daily, regional jet service beginning on June 7, 2007.
Between June 7 and December 31, 2007, the airport had served a total of 12,022 passengers, or approximately 58 passengers per day.
On September 3, 2008, the San Francisco service was increased from two 50-seat regional jets to four 30-seat turboprop flights per day. However, on its September 18 schedule update, United canceled all flights beginning December 7, 2008, the day after the expiration of the federal grant and exactly 18 months after the beginning of the PMD services.
LAWA is currently developing a master plan for Palmdale that will guide airport land use and development decisions through 2030.
Scheduled service
Palmdale Regional Airport doesn't have any commercial air service.The following is a table of former flights that have been offered from PMD:
Incidents
On February 1, 1991, USAir Flight 1493USAir Flight 1493
USAir Flight 1493 was a scheduled United States domestic passenger flight from Syracuse Hancock International Airport, New York to San Francisco International Airport, California that collided with SkyWest Flight 5569 upon landing at a scheduled stopover at Los Angeles International Airport...
, a Boeing 737 landing on Runway 24L at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
, collided upon touchdown with a SkyWest Airlines
Skywest Airlines
Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is a regional airline company based in Perth, Western Australia, Australia; servicing key towns in the state of Western Australia, Darwin, Northern Territory and Melbourne, Victoria; as well as charter flights to Bali, Indonesia....
Fairchild Metroliner, Flight 5569 departing to Palmdale Regional Airport, that had been holding in position on the same runway. The collision killed all 12 occupants of the SkyWest plane and 22 persons aboard the USAir 737.
Location and layout
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s at this airport are each over 2 miles (3 km) in length each.
See also
- California World War II Army AirfieldsCalifornia World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established numerous airfields in California for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers.-Overview:...