Santa Paula Airport: Difference between revisions

| name = Santa Paula Airport

| image =

| IATA = SZP

| ICAO = KSZP

| FAA = SZP

| type = Public

| owner = Santa Paula Airport Association

| operator =

| city-served = [[Santa Paula, California]]

| location = <!--if different than above-->

| elevation-f = 243250

| website = [http://www.santapaulaairport.com/ SantaPaulaAirport.com]

| coordinates = {{coord|34|20|49|N|119|03|42|W|region:US-CA_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map = USA California

| pushpin_mapsize = 200

| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in California

| pushpin_label = '''SZP'''

| r1-number = 4/22

| r1-length-f = 2,713665

| r1-surface = Asphalt

| h1-number = H1

| h1-length-f = 60

| h1-surface = Asphalt

| stat-year = 20112023

| stat1-header = Aircraft operations (year ending 11/6/2023)

| stat1-data = 97,000

| stat2-header = Based aircraft

| stat2-data = 309

| footnotes = Source: [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=SZP|use=PU|own=PR|site=02256.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective MayDecember 3128, 20122023.</ref>

Santa Paula's first airport was originally established in 1927 when local rancher, Ralph Dickenson, purchased an OX-5 powered International biplane, cut a dirt airstrip on his ranch, and built a hangar. Dickenson Airport soon advertised airplane rides and flight lessons available.

Less than 5five months later, the Santa Clara Valley flooded following the collapse of the [[St. Francis Dam Disaster|St. Francis Dam]], takingkilling many livespeople and destroying acres of property along the [[Santa Clara River (California)|Santa Clara River]], where the ranch was built. RalphDickenson's hangar was found 1/2half a mile downstream with his airplane still inside. He moved it back, made repairs, and began flying again within a month.

In the following year, two more hangars were built as more locals began flying and purchasing aircraft. Recognizing the importance of having a community airport in the area, Ralph Dickenson and Dan Emmet obtained $1,000 from 19 local ranchers and purchased land south of the city of Santa Paula, adjacent to the river.

In 1930, following months of personal construction and development by these founders, the newly named Santa Paula Airport opened to the public with a lavish celebration of [[aerobatics]], celebrity appearances, and aircraft.

This airport was also one of the favorite flying spots of actor [[Steve McQueen]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.santapaulaairport.org/history.html | title = History of the Airport's Construction | publisher = Santa Paula Airport | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034213/http://www.santapaulaairport.org/history.html | archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref>

On February 21 and 22, 2005, the Santa Paula Airport was heavily damaged when the rain -swollen Santa Clara River ate into the airport property, destroying airplane tiedowns, rampramps, and approximately {{convert|600|ft|m}} of part of the western one-third of the runway. The airport's only flight school, CP Aviation, temporarily moved to nearby [[Oxnard Airport]] as a result of the damage. Repairs began in March 2005 following the receding of the floodwaters, and as of February 2007, the airport was fully open to the public.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.santapaulaairport.org/update.html | title = Santa Clara River Feb 2005 Flood Disaster Story | publisher = Santa Paula Airport | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034227/http://www.santapaulaairport.org/update.html | archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref>

In December 2017, the [[Thomas Fire]] erupted and burned across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Santa Paula Airport became a [[Helitack|helibase]] for CAL FIRE by the morning after the fire started. The airport was outfitted as a base of operations for the [[Aerial firefighting|water-dropping helicopters]], and closed to all of the regular [[general aviation]] operations. About 23 helicopters began operating out of the airport, along with the necessary support crews, [[Tank truck|tanker trucks]], and other equipment. In addition to water, brightly colored [[fire retardant]] was dropped on the fire from the air.<ref name="VCS 2017-12-8" /> During the first couple of weeks, there had been limited ability to use fixed-wing air tankers and VLAT (very large air tankers) to drop fire retardant, due to the smoky skies.<ref name="earlier fires">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/state/california/fires/article189539044.html|title=Earlier wildfires may hold key to stopping giant Thomas Fire|authorfirst=Giana |last=Magnoli|publisherwork=[[The Tribune (San Luis Obispo)|The Tribune]]|date=December 13, 2017|access-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> After having been in the air all day, the helicopters undergounderwent maintenance at night. Other activities included a daily briefing each morning, lunches, and distributing maps.<ref name="VCS 2017-12-8">{{cite news|url=http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/santa-paula/2017/12/08/santa-paula-airport-transformed-into-cal-fires-helibase-battle-thomas-fire/935085001/|title=Santa Paula Airport transformed into Cal Fire's 'helibase' to battle Thomas Fire|newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]]|first=Mike |last=Harris|date=December 8, 2017|access-date= December 11, 2017}}</ref>

Santa Paula Airport covers an area of 51 [[acre]]s (21 [[hectare|ha]]) at an [[elevation]] of 243250 feet (7476&nbsp;m) above [[mean sea level]]. It has one [[runway]] designated 4/22 with an [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] surface measuring 2,713×60665×60 feet (827×18812×18 m); it also one [[helipad]] designated H1 which is 60×60 feet (18×18 m).<ref name="FAA" />

For the 12-month period ending DecemberNovember 86, 20112023, the airport had 97,000 [[general aviation]] aircraft operations, an average of 265266 per day. At that time there were 309 aircraft based at this airport: 96%295 single-[[aircraft engine|engine]], 2%6 multi-engine, 1%4 [[helicopter]], 1%2 [[glider (sailplane)|glider]], and 1%2 [[ultralight]].<ref name="FAA" />

The airport is used for training flights by pilots around Southern and Central California, due to the unique operating environment, short field and challenging terrain. Much of the original 1930s-era facilities still exist and are used today, giving the airport a very authentic representation of the [[Aviation between the World Wars|interwar years]]. As a result of the airport's history and theme, many [[vintage (design)|vintage]] aircraft owners have long sought hangar space at the airport's limited facilities for use and display.

CP Aviation offers flight school, aircraft rental, and aircraft maintenance activities. Fuel is also sold at the airport.

The former Logsdon's Restaurant closed in early 2013. In its place, Flight 126 Cafe opened in July 2014 serving breakfast and lunch from 6am to 2 pm, 7seven days a week.

File:Santa Paula 001.jpg | The airport as seen from Runway 4.

File:Santa Paula 002.jpg | Wind sock and notices to airmen as seen by the end of Runway 22.

File:Santa Paula 003.jpg | A view from the hangars on the Northwest side of the airport.

File:Santa Paula 004.jpg | CP Aviation, seen from the South end of the airport.

Between 1984 and 1995 there were 24 crashes, and 11 related fatalities at Santa Paula.<ref name=la-times-stunt>{{cite news |last1=Bustillo|first1=Miguel |last2=Wahlgren|first2=Eric |title=Pilot Killed in Crash at Santa Paula Air Show : Aviation: Stunt flier and former Navy pilot dies when jet smashes into riverbed during aerobatic routine |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-13/news/-mn-34697_1_santa34697-paula-airportstory.html |accessdateaccess-date=August 16, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 13, 1995}}</ref>

On February 13, 1991, there was a collision between a [[Bell Jet Ranger]] helicopter and a [[Pitts Special|Pitts Aerobatic aircraft]] above the airport. The two people on the plane died. Three on the helicopter were injured, including actor [[Kirk Douglas]] and voice actor [[Noel Blanc]].<ref name=la-times-helicrash>{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Gary |last2=O'Donnell |first2=Santiago |title=2 Die as Plane, Copter Crash; Kirk Douglas, 2 Others Hurt |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-14/news/-mn-1684_1_kirk1684-douglasstory.html |accessdateaccess-date=August 16, 2015 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 14, 1991}}</ref><ref name=la-times-blame/>

On April 3, 1991, two men died when the engine failed in their home-built plane. The plane fell and caught fire after hitting a golf cart.<ref name=la-times-blame>{{cite news |last1=Weiss|first1=Kenneth R. |last2=Wahlgren|first2=Eric |title=Airfield Not to Blame in Crash, Officials Say |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-13/local/-me-34698_1_santa34698-paula-airportstory.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdateaccess-date=August 16, 2015 |date=August 13, 1995}}</ref>

On Aug.August 27, 1992, a man died when his [[Cessna]] collided in midair with another Cessna, then went through two houses near the runway.<ref name=la-times-blame/>

On December 31, 1993, a man drowned when his two-seat Grumman lost power and went into the Santa Clara River.<ref name=la-times-blame/>

On June 21, 1994, a man died when his homemade [[Ultra-light aircraft|ultra-light plane]] stalled and crashed into the Santa Clara.<ref name=la-times-blame/>

On July 3, 1994, a man and his daughter died when their [[Cessna 195]] had engine trouble and crashed.<ref name=la-times-blame/>

On August 12, 1995, a stunt pilot, former U. S. Navy fighter and test pilot, was killed during the 65th Annualannual [[Santa Paula Air Show]]. His Berkut stunt plane crashed while performing a maneuver.<ref name=la-times-stunt /><ref name=la-times-blame/>

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