While Santa Monica seeks to banish fast corporate jets from its much-contested airport, Hawthorne has rolled out a new asphalt carpet for them and other private planes.
Hawthorne Municipal Airport, a.k.a. Jack Northrop Field, has just completed a $5.5-million resurfacing of its runway, part of a $25-million renovation intended to entice new air traffic and add momentum to the revitalization of the east side of the 90,000-population municipality.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday, December 28, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 56 words Type of Material: Correction
Airports: An article in Thursday's California section comparing the municipal airports in Santa Monica and Hawthorne identified Brackett Field as being in El Monte, and as being one of six "reliever airports" for Los Angeles International. Brackett Field is in La Verne and is not a reliever airport. El Monte Airport is one of the six.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday, December 29, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 32 words Type of Material: Correction
Airport ownership: An article in Thursday's California section comparing the municipal airports in Santa Monica and Hawthorne incorrectly stated that Compton/Woodley Airport is municipally owned. It is owned by Los Angeles County.
"This is a tale of two cities," said Jeffrey Dritley of Kearny Real Estate Co., a partner in the renewal effort. "The Hawthorne community is very supportive of the airport, and Santa Monica isn't. Hawthorne is encouraging new aviation, not trying to kick it out."
The Santa Monica and Hawthorne airports are among the six designated "reliever" airports that take the pressure of private air traffic off Los Angeles International. The others are L.A. County-owned Whiteman Airport in Pacoima and Brackett Field in El Monte, and municipal airports Torrance/Zamperini Field and Compton/Woodley Airport.
With a projected 135,000 takeoffs and landings this year, Santa Monica Municipal Airport, in operation since 1919, is about twice as busy as Hawthorne, which opened in 1939. The two airports have runways of similar length, about 5,000 feet, and can accommodate aircraft of similar size. Each was the home base of an aircraft-building company: Santa Monica of Douglas Aircraft, and Hawthorne of Northrop Aircraft.
Hawthorne officials say their airport has certain advantages. Its runway approach passes over the parking lots of large discount stores. At the end of its runway are several blocks of commercial development. The airport is only a block from the 105 Freeway and 1 1/2 miles from the 405 Freeway.
The Santa Monica airport, by contrast, is in a high-cost residential area of congested surface streets. Some houses are a scant 300 feet from the runway. The airport sits atop a plateau with steeply sloping sides, and a recent city staff report likened landing there to putting down on an aircraft carrier. Complaints about engine noise and fears of aircraft crashing into houses are common themes in that city's civic debate.
In January, the Santa Monica City Council will take a final vote on banning the fastest jets that use the airport, including such models as the $37-million Gulfstream IV and $20 million-plus Cessna Citation X. The council voted 7-0 in favor of such a ban in a preliminary vote in November, but the Federal Aviation Administration has vowed to fight it.
