Hesperia Airport
The runway as seen on short final for runway 21.
The airport as seen from the air, turning downwind.
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorSilverwood Aviation Inc
ServesHesperia, California
Elevation AMSL3,390 ft / 1,033 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3/21 3,910 1,192 Asphalt

Hesperia Airport,(FAA LID: L26) is a public-use and privately owned airport located three nm south of the central business district of Hesperia, California.[1] The Mojave Aviation Incorporated are the owners and fixed based operators (FBO). They operate a flight school and an airport motel.The national plan of integrated airport system classified the airport as a general aviation, basic utility airport. The nearest flight service station (FSS) is located at Riverside. As an FSS, the airport provides information and services to aircraft pilots before, during and after flights and provides assistance during emergencies.[2]

Furthermore the airport consists of a 16 unit motel with swimming pool, restaurant ,bar and additional vacant land leased until 2019. Currently the airport has a lease with Mercy Air, they have serviced critical care transportation throughout California and Nevada for over 25 years. [3]

History edit

On August 16, 1960 Marion A. Alley a Glendora investor, president and board chairman of the new Hesperia Bowl Corporation and 9 others bought the Hesperia Airport for 250,000 dollars from Harry Stanford of Hesperia. At the time they planned to expand and modernized the airport; this included adding a 24- Hour fly in service. Furthermore included in the purchase were the bar, restaurant, motel and swimming pool.  Named chief pilot instructor and airport manager was Charles Janisse. Under the new management the airports intentions was to attract weekend recreationalist, executives and golfers to the desert area.[4]

The Tapestry Project edit

The Hesperia airport is located near Tapestry, a development of 15,663 homes that will start construction in 2019 and increase the population of Hesperia from 50,000 to 80,000 when completed.[5]A master plan adopted February 2, 2016 will consist of new homes, parks, trails, a lake,schools and town centers. The specific plan objectives are to provide supportive land uses that will enable development of communities with open areas that will allow walk-ability and the use of bicycles. The plan also seeks to designate development that allows a variety of housing density while still conserving the natural and cultural resources. Therefore creating a unique identity compatible with its surroundings. Furthermore they will incorporate sustainable design in the communities creating a multi-modal project transportation network that will be safe and efficient. [6]

Accidents edit

Hobby aircraft crash edit

On Tuesday March 7, 2017 an hobby ultralight aircraft crashed near the Hesperia airport at approximately 10 am. The pilot and only occupant was pronounce dead at the scene by the San Bernardino County Fire officials. The federal Aviation Administration did not investigate this crash. Due to the aircraft not being registered. The FAA don't investigate these types of crashes because these type of aircraft's don't have airworthiness certificates they don't require a license pilot to fly them according to Ian Gregor the FAA spokesperson.[7]

Crash during take off edit

Minutes after take off from the Hesperia airport with destination to Torrance Municipal Airport a Cessna 337 skymaster crashed killing the crew of four men. The wreckage was spotted at 8:30 pm, according to the San Bernardino county Department 3 of the victims were from the Rancho Palos Verdes area and the fourth victim was from the Westminster area. The airfields owners wife confirm that the group flew into Hesperia on a Golfing trip on Wednesday October 3, 1979. The national air transportation and safety board conducted the aircraft crash. [8]

Airshow crash edit

On Sunday June 2, 1963 Tragedy struck the Hesperia airport at approximately 1:35pm while hosting an airshow. A World War II T-28 single engine trainer plane crashed in a shallow ravine killing the two star performers of the event. The total casualties were the airport manager, Leonard T. Lewis, 27, Maitland John McNeill, 36, Manager of the airports restaurant and the pilot. [9]

Facilities and aircraft edit

Hesperia Airport covers an area of 26 acres (11 ha) at an elevation of 3,390 feet (1,033 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway: 3/21 is 3,910 by 50 feet (1,192 x 15 m) with an asphalt surface.[1]

For the 12-month period ending August 17, 2007, the airport had 6,000 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 16 per day. At that time there were 32 aircraft based at this airport: 29 single-engine, 2 multi-engine, 1 helicopter, and 1 ultralight.[1]

Hesperia airport is famous for its low fuel prices.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for L26 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 29 July 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/lus/Airports/Hesperia.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "7070 Summit Valley Rd, Hesperia, CA, 92345 - Property For Sale on LoopNet.com". LoopNet. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  4. ^ [Syndicate of 10 buys airport at hesperia.(1960, Aug 17). Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://proxy.library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/167732782?accountid=10357 "Syndicate of 10 buys airport at hesperia"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ "7070 Summit Valley Rd, Hesperia, CA, 92345 - Property For Sale on LoopNet.com". LoopNet. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  6. ^ https://www.cityofhesperia.us/DocumentCenter/View/14646/FINAL-ADOPTED-020216_UPDATED-022616compressed. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ "Pilot killed in crash near Hesperia Airport".
  8. ^ [From a Times, S. W. (1979, Nov 01). Four die in crash of light plane at hesperia. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://proxy.library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/162744128?accountid=10357 From a Times, S. W. (1979, Nov 01). Four die in crash of light plane at hesperia. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://proxy.library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/162744128?accountid=10357]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ Starasta, Leslie (2008-10-24). "Series and Sequels2008352Series and Sequels. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library Literature & Fiction Department Last visited April 2008. Gratis URL: http://www.lapl.org/resources/indexes/sequels.html". Reference Reviews. 22 (8): 28. doi:10.1108/09504120810914493. ISSN 0950-4125. {{cite journal}}: External link in |title= (help)

External links edit