Class C Airspaces and Class D

[Skybrd]

I recently flew my newly purchased Mooney from Oshkosh to Bakersfield, Ca and noticed some airports near my route were Class C. Some of these airports seem small in my opinion to be assigned to that level of control. I grew up at Bakersfield and used Bakersfield (Meadows Field BFL) airport for years. It used to be a more general aviation friendly airport with easy access to any of the planes. In earlier days a person could drive up to their hanger with no controlled gates of fences and get out and check out the different planes. It's no longer that way at BFL and I had to recently go through an ordeal to get a badge and access to my hanger. They have a ground class and test to get a permit. Shortly after the quick training session was notified if you miss more than 4 questions that you would fail. They even allowed us to pay a fee for their class and card. Mine only cost 40.00 and has to be re-newed every year including attending the same class. Presently Bakersfield is Class D airspace but I wouldn't be surprised if they up that to Class C.  I notice that the BLM (Bureau of Land Management ) is taking away lots of free access to desert lands for their controlled access plans. I wonder how long it will be that our free use of airspace will be taken away.  

[scottfromiowa]

No fee in CID (class C), though hoops must be jumped through.(security)  I would put up a HUGE challenge to the fee.  On what grounds are they taxing for this requirement?  Where are the funds going?  These are questions that MUST be asked.  Involve your state representative.  California voted for a couple of leftists in Brown/Boxer.  As a taxpayer IMO California has dug itself into a mess and WHEN the Federal government...(me as a taxpayer) steps in to bail the state out I will be yelling loud and often for the state to clean up their own mess.

Radical Islam has made air travel commercial, shipping and General Aviation a mess.  We are at war.  This is the price we pay (loss of freedom) for the actions of of those that hate the U.S., Israel and everything that freedom (as we now know it) stands for.

[jlunseth]

I have noticed that there are some C's that seem to be at that level because of traffic spikes at certain times.  You need a slot three days ahead of time to land in the South Bend Class C on Fridays and Saturdays before a Notre Dame Game.  Other times it can be very empty.  Green Bay C is similar, not always that busy except if the Packers are at Lambeau.

[DaV8or]

To my understanding, the security hoops we now have to jump through don't have that much to do with class C or D as it does with scheduled aircarriers flying in and out of an airport. Stockton (KSCK) has the same security nonsense as we have at Oakland and they are Class D. I'm not sure why some airports require class C and others not, but I suspect it has to do with major airlines requirements.

To the original poster's question of how long until we will be charged for use of the airspace, I'd say not long at all unfortunately.

To Scottfromiowa- Yes, we in California are now screwed IMO. I lived for eight years under Jerry Brown as Mayor of Oakland and and I was forced to listen to his radio show on KPFA when he was an unemployed politician before that and I can tell you that he is pretty far left with impractical, lofty ideals with distain for wealthy people and big business. The Democrats now have it all their own way with the Assembly, Senate and Governor and the voters decided that they may now pass a budget with only a simple majority with a proposion. Every election I piss in the wind and try not to get too much no me, but every election I fail. I agree, California is in for a shake up with new taxes, regulations and ultimately debt and unemployment. Problem is, broke, unemployed electorate is perfect breeding ground for new Democrats... and the circle of life is complete. If the Progressive Agenda were to be as successful as they hope and people were to amass more wealth, they would probably join the Tea Party so they could keep more of it! LOL

I am always keeping an eye on other states to relocate to when and if the time comes, Arizona and Florida, maybe Texas look pretty good, but California is damn hard to give up when you are born and raised here. It really is some fantastic real estate!

[scottfromiowa]

Dave:  Truly California has to take the backseat to NO state when it comes to beauty.  All the time I have spent visiting has left me in awe of the wonderful features.  My best experience was driving down Highway one all the way from Tacoma Washington with my then girlfriend in my FIAT X 1/9.  Hair-pin turns (about the 1,000th it seemed) got a little old what with the ocean beating the rocks a few 100 feet down...ended well at the San Francisco bridge.  Good grief that was almost 30 years ago.  Flying there must be wonderful.

[M016576]

Quote: scottfromiowa

Dave:  Truly California has to take the backseat to NO state when it comes to beauty.  All the time I have spent visiting has left me in awe of the wonderful features.  My best experience was driving down Highway one all the way from Tacoma Washington with my then girlfriend in my FIAT X 1/9.  Hair-pin turns (about the 1,000th it seemed) got a little old what with the ocean beating the rocks a few 100 feet down...ended well at the San Francisco bridge.  Good grief that was almost 30 years ago.  Flying there must be wonderful.