Land Use Study at California Airport Raises Alarm in GA Community

Purpose of the research, according to Los Angeles County, is to determine alternate uses for Whiteman Airport’s 184 acres.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, October 28, 2024 at 04:00 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Whiteman Airport [Courtesy: Los Angeles County Public Works]

Key Takeaways:

Los Angeles County officials have approved a $1.9 million study to explore alternative land uses for Whiteman Airport (KWHP), alarming the Southern California aviation community.
Proponents for closure cite two high-profile accidents in recent years as safety concerns, while opponents emphasize the airport's economic impact (412 direct jobs) and existing obligations to the FAA to maintain it as an airport, potentially in perpetuity or for at least 20 years from the last federal grant in 2021.
The airport, established in 1946, is a busy general aviation facility accommodating flight schools, corporate aircraft, and public agency helicopters, seeing approximately 82,000 operations annually.

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The aviation community in Southern California is raising the alarm over a decision made by Los Angeles County officials to request an expanded land use study for the land that is currently Whiteman Airport (KWHP).

The economic impact and land use study was given the green light at the county’s board of supervisors meeting on October 22. The purpose of the research, according to the county, is to determine alternate uses for the airport’s 184 acres. The facility is located in the city of Pacoima, 19 miles north of Los Angeles International (KLAX). Whiteman Airport is one of five owned by Los Angeles County.