Van Nuys celebrates milestones with open house

California’s iconic Van Nuys Airport celebrated its eighty-fifth anniversary and the re-opening of the airport’s main runway, 16R, on Aug. 30 by holding an open house. The event included free airfield tours, aircraft static displays, prizes, and a day of plane spotting at the airport’s observation area.

The event also featured The Condor Squadron, which displayed two T-6 aircraft, a helicopter display by Rotor FX, an N3 aircraft owned by Richard Unander, and Si Robbins' Beechcraft Staggerwing.

The airport began work on Runway 16R in February 2012, including improvements and installation of a new blast fence at the run-up area; repairs to existing concrete runway ends; new in-pavement approach lighting; and new pavement markings.

Since 1928, Van Nuys Airport has played a major role in the San Fernando Valley community contributing $1.3 billion annually to the local economy and supports more than 12,000 jobs.