Los Angeles County proceeds with Whiteman study

The Board of Supervisors agreed on October 22 to expand the county’s $600,000 contract with Trifiletti Consulting (awarded previously for unrelated projects) to $1.9 million, as requested by the county Department of Economic Opportunity. The additional $1.3 million will be used "to conduct an economic impact analysis and land use study for the potential repurposing of the Whiteman Airport," including $350,000 from the Department of Public Works Aviation Economic Fund, specifically to study the economic impacts of closing the airport, a funding source highlighted by one of many opponents as possibly illegal.

“There is little doubt Whiteman Airport provides tremendous economic benefits to Los Angeles County and the surrounding community,” said Jared Yoshiki, AOPA vice president of airports and state advocacy. “Whiteman Airport financially supports the county’s other airports. Eliminating the county’s most profitable and revenue generating airport would be disastrous for the future financial outlook of those other airports.”

AOPA joined other aviation groups in opposing the decision, noting an apparent misconception regarding the county's obligations to the federal government, which has funded various improvements over the years, and, crucially, the purchase of some of the airport’s land.

“Most notably, we have confirmed that Los Angeles County previously accepted an [Airport Improvement Program] grant to fund the addition of real property to WHP,” the groups told the county commission ahead of the vote. “Although the obligations associated with AIP grants typically have a 20-year duration, if the federal funds are used to acquire real property, the obligations are perpetual—and apply to the entire airport, not just the parcel acquired.… Los Angeles County has a perpetual obligation to operate WHP as an airport, and the proposed study would serve no purpose—but would constitute a blatant waste of airport and/or taxpayer funds.”

One of five county-run airports, Whiteman was built in 1946 and acquired by the county in 1970. According to the county department that requested the closure costs and land use studies, “the airport plays an important role in the local and regional transportation networks, with more than 82,000 takeoffs and landings annually. More than 600 general aviation pilots are based at Whiteman Airport, which also hosts numerous Sheriff, Fire, other law enforcement, disaster response, and news gathering flight operations each year.”

“AOPA continues to view Los Angeles County as partners in promoting aviation and hope we can work together to assist them in seeing the value of airports to their communities instead of harming this economically viable industry,” said Yoshiki.