Van Nuys Airport

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday ordered local officials to develop a detailed plan to save a popular aircraft mechanics school at Van Nuys Airport. On a motion by Eric Garcetti, the council called on Los Angeles World Airports, the airport's operator, to find ways to preserve the North Valley Occupational Center-Aviation Center, which has trained thousands of mechanics during its 40-year history. The school, which is run by the Los Angeles Unified School District, is located off Hayvenhurst Avenue in a hangar with adjoining classrooms and workshops.

A popular vocational center at Van Nuys Airport that has trained thousands of aviation mechanics during its 40-year history faces closure or relocation next year if the Los Angeles Unified School District can no longer afford to keep the facility open. Educators, students, national organizations and business owners at the airport say the loss of the program would be a blow to those seeking technical careers in the aviation industry, which is already suffering a shortage of qualified entry-level mechanics.

In a sign that the market for private and corporate jets is recovering, a new aviation center offering conference rooms and other amenities for travelers opened Thursday at Van Nuys Airport. NetJets Inc., which sells individuals and companies shares in private jet aircraft, unveiled a 10,000 sq. ft. terminal on property leased from its partner, Maguire Aviation, a fixed-base operator at the airport. The glass and steel structure includes private conference facilities, wireless access, services for business travelers, an onsite kitchen that offers catered meals, and lounges for both children and air crews.

Airport to hold second public meeting on noise Officials at Van Nuys Airport will hold another public workshop for residents curious about a proposed plan to phase out noisy aircraft and shift a series of flights to regional landing strips, including Bob Hope Airport. The meeting is slated to last from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Van Nuys FlyAway upstairs conference room, 7610 Woodley Ave. Residents are invited to comment on the draft version of the airport?s Environmental Impact Report, which details what affect shifting flights would have on regions, such as Burbank.

BURBANK — The Burbank- Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority voted Monday to oppose a proposed plan to phase out older, noisier airplanes from Van Nuys Airport, citing concerns that the planes will be sent to Bob Hope Airport. Authority members argued that the draft Environmental Impact Report regarding the Van Nuys Airport Noisier Aircraft Phaseout Project “vastly understates” the number of noisier Stage 2 airplanes that would be sent to Bob Hope Airport in attempt to set a daytime curfew for the older planes, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

ON THE AGENDA The following items will be discussed at Tuesday?s Burbank City Council meeting: ? The City Council on Tuesday is slated to consider appointing 16 residents to the Child Care Committee, a group charged with responding to individual child care concerns and issues around Burbank. The nominees include retired educators and members of the Burbank YMCA. WHAT TO EXPECT The 16 applicants are expected to be assigned to the post, which lasts one year.

BURBANK — The Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority unanimously approved a $44,500 contract with a communications firm to inform the public through presentations, meetings and advertisements about the Bob Hope Airport’s efforts to obtain a nighttime curfew for all flights. Cooper Communications also will have to inform the public that the airport would support a similar nighttime curfew at the Van Nuys Airport, Communication Firm President Martin Cooper said at Wednesday’s authority meeting.

Mark R. Madler The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is cracking down on use of air space at Bob Hope Airport by helicopter training schools. Authority commissioners approved an agreement Monday with training school Group 3 Aviation establishing guidelines it must follow when using airport airspace. "By entering into the agreement, they will blend in with other traffic coming and going from the airport," said airport spokesman Victor Gill.

Molly Shore A surprise is in store for those who attend the city's Veterans Day ceremony, where Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) will make a special presentation to a World War II veteran. Joining Schiff, who declined to identify the recipient until the ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, are Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Mission Hills), state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Burbank), Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Burbank) and Mayor David Laurell with other City Council members. Because of redistricting, Sherman will represent about half of Burbank starting in January.

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday ordered local officials to develop a detailed plan to save a popular aircraft mechanics school at Van Nuys Airport. On a motion by Eric Garcetti, the council called on Los Angeles World Airports, the airport's operator, to find ways to preserve the North Valley Occupational Center-Aviation Center, which has trained thousands of mechanics during its 40-year history. The school, which is run by the Los Angeles Unified School District, is located off Hayvenhurst Avenue in a hangar with adjoining classrooms and workshops.

A popular vocational center at Van Nuys Airport that has trained thousands of aviation mechanics during its 40-year history faces closure or relocation next year if the Los Angeles Unified School District can no longer afford to keep the facility open. Educators, students, national organizations and business owners at the airport say the loss of the program would be a blow to those seeking technical careers in the aviation industry, which is already suffering a shortage of qualified entry-level mechanics.

In a sign that the market for private and corporate jets is recovering, a new aviation center offering conference rooms and other amenities for travelers opened Thursday at Van Nuys Airport. NetJets Inc., which sells individuals and companies shares in private jet aircraft, unveiled a 10,000 sq. ft. terminal on property leased from its partner, Maguire Aviation, a fixed-base operator at the airport. The glass and steel structure includes private conference facilities, wireless access, services for business travelers, an onsite kitchen that offers catered meals, and lounges for both children and air crews.

Responding to noise concerns across the San Fernando Valley, leaders at Bob Hope Airport directed officials to seek agreements with helicopter operators that call for advance notice of training operations. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority on Monday approved an operating agreement with Van Nuys-based Briles Wing and Helicopter Inc. to conduct operations at Bob Hope Airport. Helicopter training operations differ from those of fixed-wing aircraft because they take place quickly, resulting in repeated flights at short intervals and at low altitude over the same nearby houses, airport officials said.

A legendary actor-turned-artist and local aviation enthusiasts stepped into the social spotlight in respective events this past week. As the sun set over the campus of Woodbury University, EngAGE: the Art of Active Living, the organization that provides programming for the Burbank Senior Artists Colony, invited guests to meet actor Tony Curtis on April 14. Interviewed in the university’s Fletcher Jones Auditorium by EngAGE founder...

AIRPORT DISTRICT — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday that it has rejected the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority’s application for flight curfews at Bob Hope Airport. The long-awaited decision deals a major blow to the thousands of residents who have fought for a nighttime noise curfew since the 1970s. The airport authority’s proposal — nine years and $7 million in the making — would have banned air traffic at Bob Hope Airport between 10 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., with exceptions for emergency flights and medical aircraft.

BURBANK — The Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority unanimously approved a $44,500 contract with a communications firm to inform the public through presentations, meetings and advertisements about the Bob Hope Airport’s efforts to obtain a nighttime curfew for all flights. Cooper Communications also will have to inform the public that the airport would support a similar nighttime curfew at the Van Nuys Airport, Communication Firm President Martin Cooper said at Wednesday’s authority meeting.

The council changed the city?s contract with the California Resources Board and environmental firm Proterra, who is overseeing construction of Burbank?s hydrogen-hybrid fuel cell transit bus. The public service vehicle was due to be completed by June, but unexpected production issues will delay delivery until March, necessitating the need for a minor adjustment to the terms of the agreement. Most of the nearly $2-million bus was paid for through a state grant with the remaining $615,982 funded through a public-private partnership.