Paso Robles Municipal Airport
Encyclopedia
Paso Robles Municipal Airport is a public airport
located four miles (6 km) northeast of the central business district
of Paso Robles
, a city in San Luis Obispo County
, California
, United States
. This general aviation
airport is publicly owned by City of Paso Robles.
s (5.3 km²) and contains two runway
s:
, but its advent paved the way for the future of aviation in the area. Sherwood Field, located a few miles to the south, generally played a more colorful role in the beginnings of aviation in Northern San Luis Obispo County.
On September 3, 1942 construction began on the Airfield, which was to be used as a Marine Corps
Bomber Base. On April 8, 1943, the field was dedicated as Estrella Army Airfield to be used by the Army Air Corps. Estrella Army Airfield consisted of 1259 acres of land, two 4700 feet (1,432.6 m) runways, an operations building and a small, three-bay fire station. The Marine Corps Units occupied buildings to the west, across Airport Road in what is now the California Youth Authority. On August 29, 1947 the Federal Government transferred 1057 acres (4.3 km²) to the County of San Luis Obispo to be used as a commercial airport, and 202 acre (0.81746572 km²) and buildings to the State of California to be used as a correctional facility
After the county's acquisition of the airfield, the County of San Luis Obispo extended runway 01/19 from 4700 feet (1,432.6 m) to 6009 feet (1,831.5 m); installed high intensity lights; and built a large hangar
, ten T-Hangars and a terminal building
between 1949 and 1952. In 1952 commercial air service for San Luis Obispo County began, with Southwest Airways serving the area, which became Pacific Airlines, and later yet merged into Hughes Air West. This service continued until 1974, when the commercial air service at San Luis Obispo County Airport grew heavier and the county determined it wasn't necessary to have commercial air service at two airports that were located just 25 miles (40.2 km) from one another.
Immediately following the termination of commercial service at Estrella Airfield in 1973, the county, in an effort to rid its rolls of excess property, sold the air base to the City of Paso Robles for $1.00. At that time the County was unable to derive enough income to support the cost of running the airport, and the Estrella Army Air Force Base then officially became the town's municipal airport. After Estrella Field was transferred to the City of Paso Robles in 1973, industrial and General aviation
development has seen an astonishing amount of continued growth. After the airfield was turned over for civilian use, it was initially named Archie Dean Field, but soon after acquired its current name of Paso Robles Municipal. The City of Paso Robles subdivided unused land into 81 parcels for commercial development. The City formed an all-volunteer Fire, Crash and Rescue Department to serve the airport and the surrounding area. The City took over the water wells and the sewer treatment plant from the State to serve both the Airport and the Youth Authority.
operations, in addition to serving as a large general aviation base. The California Department of Forestry (CDF) operates an Air Attack Base at the airport, which provides major fire protection for three counties (San Luis Obispo, Kern and Monterey) and the 5800000 acres (23,471.8 km²) of wildland area in this part of Central California that encompass them. At the base, aircraft are loaded and reloaded with fire fighting retardant chemicals, such as Phos chek, which are dropped on brush and forest fires in the surrounding regions. Also, the California Highway Patrol (CHP
) Air Operations Division house a fixed wing aircraft, used for speed enforcement, as well as a helicopter, used for search and rescue missions in the area. This local Air Operations Division also provides a variety of search, patrol and enforcement services for the local communities. The airport also serves as a support facility for three local military installations; Camp Roberts, Fort Hunter-Liggett
, and Camp San Luis Obispo
. In addition to these fixed operators, many military, air charter, corporate, air ambulance, and other flying services operate from the airport on a regular basis.
The area immediately surrounding the Paso Robles Airport, known as Airport Road Industrial Park
, is also home to many aviation maintenance
providers and facilities, as well as many aviation parts manufacturers and other related businesses. Under the City’s direction, sections of the industrial park have been developed with utilities and infrastructure improvements. Aircraft hangar
and aviation service facilities have been constructed. In 1973, there were just four businesses employing 22 people on the airport. Today, there is just over 500000 square feet (46,451.5 m²) of industrial building space in operation on the airport, now housing nearly 50 individual businesses, and providing over 700 jobs in the community. The number of aircraft based at the airport has grown from 55 at the time of City acquisition in 1973 to around 220, today. Located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the airport has a service area of over 2000 square miles (5,180 km²) in northern San Luis Obispo and southern Monterey counties.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located four miles (6 km) northeast of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Paso Robles
Paso Robles, California
Paso Robles is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Paso Robles is the fastest growing city in San Luis Obispo County: Its population at the 2000 census was 24,297; in 2010 it recorded some 29,793 residentsLocated on the Salinas River north of San Luis Obispo, California,...
, a city in San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census its population was 269,637, up from 246,681 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport is publicly owned by City of Paso Robles.
Facilities
Paso Robles Municipal Airport covers an area of 1,300 acreAcre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s (5.3 km²) and contains two runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s:
- Runway 1/19: 6,009 x 150 ft (1,832 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
- Runway 13/31: 4,700 x 100 ft (1,433 x 30 m), Surface: Asphalt
History
The Paso Robles Municipal Airport is a 1300 acres (526.1 ha) site approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of downtown Paso Robles. Originally constructed in 1943 as the Estrella Army Air Field, the airport plays its own part in the history of aviation in the local area. It saw little military activity during the WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but its advent paved the way for the future of aviation in the area. Sherwood Field, located a few miles to the south, generally played a more colorful role in the beginnings of aviation in Northern San Luis Obispo County.
On September 3, 1942 construction began on the Airfield, which was to be used as a Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
Bomber Base. On April 8, 1943, the field was dedicated as Estrella Army Airfield to be used by the Army Air Corps. Estrella Army Airfield consisted of 1259 acres of land, two 4700 feet (1,432.6 m) runways, an operations building and a small, three-bay fire station. The Marine Corps Units occupied buildings to the west, across Airport Road in what is now the California Youth Authority. On August 29, 1947 the Federal Government transferred 1057 acres (4.3 km²) to the County of San Luis Obispo to be used as a commercial airport, and 202 acre (0.81746572 km²) and buildings to the State of California to be used as a correctional facility
After the county's acquisition of the airfield, the County of San Luis Obispo extended runway 01/19 from 4700 feet (1,432.6 m) to 6009 feet (1,831.5 m); installed high intensity lights; and built a large hangar
Hangar
A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used...
, ten T-Hangars and a terminal building
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
between 1949 and 1952. In 1952 commercial air service for San Luis Obispo County began, with Southwest Airways serving the area, which became Pacific Airlines, and later yet merged into Hughes Air West. This service continued until 1974, when the commercial air service at San Luis Obispo County Airport grew heavier and the county determined it wasn't necessary to have commercial air service at two airports that were located just 25 miles (40.2 km) from one another.
Immediately following the termination of commercial service at Estrella Airfield in 1973, the county, in an effort to rid its rolls of excess property, sold the air base to the City of Paso Robles for $1.00. At that time the County was unable to derive enough income to support the cost of running the airport, and the Estrella Army Air Force Base then officially became the town's municipal airport. After Estrella Field was transferred to the City of Paso Robles in 1973, industrial and General aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
development has seen an astonishing amount of continued growth. After the airfield was turned over for civilian use, it was initially named Archie Dean Field, but soon after acquired its current name of Paso Robles Municipal. The City of Paso Robles subdivided unused land into 81 parcels for commercial development. The City formed an all-volunteer Fire, Crash and Rescue Department to serve the airport and the surrounding area. The City took over the water wells and the sewer treatment plant from the State to serve both the Airport and the Youth Authority.
Current operations
Currently, there is no scheduled passenger airline service at the airport. The last carrier terminated its local operations in the early 1970s in the wake of federal deregulation. Although Paso Robles Airport does not currently offer scheduled passenger service, they do however have a large amount of daily business aviationBusiness jet
Business jet, private jet or, colloquially, bizjet is a term describing a jet aircraft, usually of smaller size, designed for transporting groups of up to 19 business people or wealthy individuals...
operations, in addition to serving as a large general aviation base. The California Department of Forestry (CDF) operates an Air Attack Base at the airport, which provides major fire protection for three counties (San Luis Obispo, Kern and Monterey) and the 5800000 acres (23,471.8 km²) of wildland area in this part of Central California that encompass them. At the base, aircraft are loaded and reloaded with fire fighting retardant chemicals, such as Phos chek, which are dropped on brush and forest fires in the surrounding regions. Also, the California Highway Patrol (CHP
CHP
-Healthcare:* Oporto Hospital Centre* Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh* Community Health Partnerships* Certified Health Physicist-Politics:* Christian Heritage Party * Christian Historical Party...
) Air Operations Division house a fixed wing aircraft, used for speed enforcement, as well as a helicopter, used for search and rescue missions in the area. This local Air Operations Division also provides a variety of search, patrol and enforcement services for the local communities. The airport also serves as a support facility for three local military installations; Camp Roberts, Fort Hunter-Liggett
Fort Hunter Liggett
Fort Hunter Liggett , named after General Hunter Liggett in 1941, is a United States Army fort in southern Monterey County, California, about 250 miles north of Los Angeles and south of San Francisco...
, and Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo is the original home of the California Army National Guard. It served as an Infantry Division Camp and Cantonment Area for the United States Army during World War II.-History:...
. In addition to these fixed operators, many military, air charter, corporate, air ambulance, and other flying services operate from the airport on a regular basis.
The area immediately surrounding the Paso Robles Airport, known as Airport Road Industrial Park
Industrial park
An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development...
, is also home to many aviation maintenance
Aircraft maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is the overhaul, repair, inspection or modification of an aircraft or aircraft component.Maintenance includes the installation or removal of a component from an aircraft or aircraft subassembly, but does not include:...
providers and facilities, as well as many aviation parts manufacturers and other related businesses. Under the City’s direction, sections of the industrial park have been developed with utilities and infrastructure improvements. Aircraft hangar
Hangar
A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used...
and aviation service facilities have been constructed. In 1973, there were just four businesses employing 22 people on the airport. Today, there is just over 500000 square feet (46,451.5 m²) of industrial building space in operation on the airport, now housing nearly 50 individual businesses, and providing over 700 jobs in the community. The number of aircraft based at the airport has grown from 55 at the time of City acquisition in 1973 to around 220, today. Located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the airport has a service area of over 2000 square miles (5,180 km²) in northern San Luis Obispo and southern Monterey counties.
Phase 2 (2008-2012)
- Install Instrument Landing System (ILSInstrument Landing SystemAn instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
) for Runway 19. - Install Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSRApproach Lighting SystemAn approach lighting system, or ALS, is a lighting system installed on the approach end of an airport runway and consisting of a series of lightbars, strobe lights, or a combination of the two that extends outward from the runway end...
) for Runway 19. - Rebuild the defunct Taxiway 'G' East of Runway 13-31.
- Extend Runway 01-19 1,200 feet to the Northeast, as well as 1000 feet (304.8 m) to the Southwest; Providing Runway 01-19 with a total length of 8,200 x 150 ft (45.7 m). (retain width).
- Extend TaxiwayTaxiwayA taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
'A' 1200 feet (365.8 m) to the Northeast, to parallel and meet the Northeast extension of Runway 19. - Extend Taxiway 'A' 2800 feet (853.4 m) to the Southwest, to parallel and meet the Southwest extension of Runway 01.
- Provide High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL) for Runway 01/19.
- Construct blast pad on Runway 19.
Phase 3 (2013-2020)
- Extend Runway 13-31 1,700 feet to the Northwest, providing a total Runway length of 6,400 x 100 ft (30.5 m). (retain width).
- Construct/provide Runway 13-31 a parallel taxiway and entry/exit taxiway.
- Construct blast pads on Runway(s) 01, 13, and 31.
- Extend Taxiway 'D' to the East to parallel taxiway for Runway 13-31.
Other airport businesses
- Sierra West Avionics
- Aero Service
- Flight Environments
- Avlite Aviation
- Genuine Aircraft Hardware Co.
- Del Rio Aviation