The future of Californian aviation

If it were a separate nation, California would be one of the largest economies in the world. Currently the population of the Golden State stands at 36 million with an expected increase to 60 million by 2040. Air travel demand will increase dramatically and because of the enormous size of California a new aviation board should be created to ensure that it has meaningful aviation policies, strategic plans and a vision for future aviation. The board should also monitor all aviation activity such as safety, cargo growth and airports.

Recently, aviation planning within California has not met the needs of the region with the potential for air and ground gridlock to increase dramatically. Back in July 2007, the Transportation Research Board issued a request for the proposal Airport Co-Operative Research Programmes ACRP 03-10 entitled Innovative approaches to addressing coastal mega regions. The request refers to the West Coast and the North East stating that “……the conditions in these two areas are projected to get worse in the future and that the state wide planning system is not sufficient enough to address capacity limitations.” It seems that the past and present traditional aviation planning methods have not done the job. New planning and methodologies and innovative changes are needed very soon. If developed correctly the Californian board could serve as a model for the whole nation.

NexGen

The FAA continues its efforts to develop the Next Generation Air Traffic Control System (NexGen) converting a ground air traffic control system to a satellite based system. However to really achieve its goals new airports must be built. Improving the movement of aircraft around the nations is absolutely necessary, however unless five new international airports (two in California) are built, there will not be enough runways to accommodate the air traffic growth. Therefore NexGen may only meet partial goals.

Travis AF Base

The Bay Area’s three air carrier airports alone cannot meet the future growth expected by 2015/2020. The Travis AF Base could be an excellent alternative and is environmentally friendly. The base could act as a joint civil military international airport that would meet the growth demands of 2020. The international airport in Charleston, SC is a perfect example of successful civil-military joint use and should be used as a useful blueprint.

Legislation

As mentioned at the beginning of this piece, California as a State is as big as most nations and with air service around the world expecting to triple by 2020 the State should assume an advocacy role (recommending service, not approval) with the airlines as to where airline services will be provided within the region. Appropriate legislation can be developed by State Legislature to accomplish the goal.

Airline manufacturing

California can become a region that promotes and encourages venture capital for the resurrection of airline manufacturing in Long Beach, Palmdale and Sacremento. The use of quieter engines and composite plastics instead of aluminium and rivets would be a good step in the right direction. Some facilities from the old Mcdonald-Douglas plant in Long Beach and Lockheed may still be available. This effort would return 50,000 of the world’s best aviation employees back to work in Southern California.

About the Author

Bill Shea is a national and international aviation expert. His former positions include Associate Administrator for Airports at the FAA as well as advocate for the National System of Airports. He has published numerous aviation articles, two books and a memoir.