Aero club set to relocate off base

  • Published
  • By Capt. Vanessa Hillman
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As a result of multiple environmental and safety concerns, Travis has accepted an offer from K. Hovnanian, Forecast Homes’ that will allow the Travis Aero Club an opportunity to start operating out of an off-base location. 

A gift to the Travis Morale Welfare and Recreation Fund by Forecast Homes’ will allow the aero club to remain financially stable far into the future and in turn offer the aero club members state-of-the-art aircraft and maintenance facilities. 

The gift includes a sum of cash, four new aircraft and a new hangar facility to be used for administrative purposes and a classroom, said Mr. Scott Gerhart, 60th Services Squadron community support flight chief. 

“The new aircraft will be the first for the Travis Team in more than 13 years,” said Mr. Gerhart. “The Trinidad is our newest aircraft and it was purchased in 1993. Our oldest aircraft is Cessna 141 C Model and was built in 1967!” 

Wing leadership has been looking at two different locations to relocate the aero club and its facilities to; the Rio Vista Municipal Airport or the Nut Tree Airport with Rio Vista being the preferred location, said Maj. Tim Telega, 60th Services Squadron commander. “An environmental review is underway to assess the implications of this move.” 

This move comes after years of consideration. A tiger team was appointed in November 2004 to review aero club operations. The team identified two major areas of concern that could potentially affect the aero club operations in the near future; the environmental issues and safety issues. 

The land the club is on is surrounded by vernal pools and an endangered plant species. The base has agreed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to preserve them as a result of previous damage during past runway repairs. 

“Unfortunately the aero club resides in the middle of an environmental preserve which essentially prohibits us from performing maintenance on the runway,” explained Major Telega. 

The tiger team noted that an informal inspection conducted in July 2003 found numerous deficiencies that require corrective actions, including various obstructions or objects in the runway safety area and in the runway obstruction free area. Issues were noted with runway lighting and marking issues, well as with off-base trees and power poles in the transitional and approach surface and the base perimeter fence as “close-in obstruction” in the primary runway surface. These issues were again informally reviewed against FAA standards in January 2005, with some appearing to be waiverable, but some requiring correction for safety reasons. 

In the decision making process the tiger team came up with five other options if the offer from Forecast Homes’ was not accepted, according to Maj. Telega. 

1. Remain status quo, knowing that safety and financial issues would eventually close the facility

2. Move the aero club to the main flightline 

3. Move to the Rio Vista Municipal Airport 

4. Move to the Nut Tree Airport 

5. Close the aero club 

“Accepting Forecast Homes’ gift is a very positive development and a huge step towards the aero club acquiring the equipment, facilities and runway it needs to be a world-class program,” said Major Telega. He also stated that because of the magnitude of the gift, the offer was thoroughly reviewed through the chain of command and accepted at the Air Staff level. 

The move is being met with mixed reviews from current club members. 

“It’s sad to leave this location,” said Mr. Chris Latham, aero club member. “But the opportunity is there for us to have a chance at a new beginning. These [aircraft] have been well maintained, but they’re tired.” 

“The new aircraft we plan to purchase will bring our inventory up to one of the best in the entire Air Force,” said Mr. Brian Floyd, 60th Services Squadron deputy director. “In the changing world we live in this is a positive change that will allow our members to fly some of the best aircraft available.”