Paul Thomas Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 (edited) It seems like the new trend is for airports to be bought by aircraft companies. Beta bought an airport in Vermont and now Archer bought Hawthorne. https://news.archer.com/archer-to-acquire-los-angeles-airportas-strategic-air-taxi-network-hub-and-ai-testbed Edited November 7 by Paul Thomas
Bolter Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 LA city and airport management, "these airports are a burden on society, and take money from the people" Also LA city and airport management, "ideally located next to everything, an ideal airport location," and "please pay us now". It was not clear to me if this becomes a private airport and they can immediately exclude GA and charge fees, or they have received "control" of the airport but it remains a public airport without restrictions. I flew out of WHP for almost 20 years, always at risk of being closed down by the city. I watched SMO get squeezed by land developers that are pulling a fast one on the locals. So yes, a little jaded. -dan 3
Fly Boomer Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 44 minutes ago, Paul Thomas said: It seems like the new trend is for airports to be bought by aircraft companies. Beta bought an airport in Vermont and now Archer bought Hawthorne. https://news.archer.com/archer-to-acquire-los-angeles-airportas-strategic-air-taxi-network-hub-and-ai-testbed We like to talk about the demise of GA because of crashes, availability of parts, insufficient pipeline of new pilots, etc. The real story is that when there are no airports available, the rest of it won't matter. 1 1
Paul Thomas Posted November 7 Author Report Posted November 7 15 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said: We like to talk about the demise of GA because of crashes, availability of parts, insufficient pipeline of new pilots, etc. The real story is that when there are no airports available, the rest of it won't matter. At least this one sold for $126 millions; I don't know if it's the right number or not but it sounds appropriate. Beta only paid $500,000 for Caledonia Airport in VT... I couldn't believe how cheap that was. Private equity could quickly corner the market if more governments are willing to sell their airports, especially at low prices like Vermont did.
Yetti Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 51 minutes ago, Bolter said: LA city and airport management, "these airports are a burden on society, and take money from the people" Also LA city and airport management, "ideally located next to everything, an ideal airport location," and "please pay us now". It was not clear to me if this becomes a private airport and they can immediately exclude GA and charge fees, or they have received "control" of the airport but it remains a public airport without restrictions. I flew out of WHP for almost 20 years, always at risk of being closed down by the city. I watched SMO get squeezed by land developers that are pulling a fast one on the locals. So yes, a little jaded. -dan Archer is an air taxi company..... So do you want to be flying with the autonomous flying thingies?
PeterRus Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 34 minutes ago, Yetti said: So do you want to be flying with the autonomous flying thingies? Yes, please.
Hank Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 46 minutes ago, Yetti said: So do you want to be flying with the autonomous flying thingies? Flying with poor company is better than not flying at all . . . .
Yetti Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 6 minutes ago, Hank said: Flying with poor company is better than not flying at all . . . . my problem will all these taxi thingies is that they put the propellers at eye level. If you have ever flown a drone and seen the props fly off....... Just a bad recipe.
PeterRus Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 25 minutes ago, Yetti said: my problem will all these taxi thingies is that they put the propellers at eye level. If you have ever flown a drone and seen the props fly off....... Just a bad recipe. Just like all the Mooneys...
Bolter Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 1 hour ago, Yetti said: Archer is an air taxi company..... So do you want to be flying with the autonomous flying thingies? What want has nothing to do with it. I expect that when approved as air vehicles, they will probably fly into all the airports over time. We cannot avoid the future aircraft in the pattern any more than we can avoid driving next to a Waymo in San Francisco. We are already the last generation to drive stick, and just might be the last to manually control cars and small planes.
Yetti Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 28 minutes ago, PeterRus said: Just like all the Mooneys... No the Mooney prop will fly off into space. These props are level with the head.
Hank Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 5 minutes ago, Yetti said: No the Mooney prop will fly off into space. These props are level with the head. Just like most light twins
Yetti Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 4 minutes ago, Hank said: Just like most light twins Thank you for reminding me of my phobias 1
bonal Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 Tried to look up how many aircraft are based there but couldn’t get an answer wondering if they are using city owned hangars on yearly leases or long term leases. Seriously doubt the new “owners” are going to want to co exist with the existing GA community. Death by attrition one city, oops I mean one airport at a time.
bonal Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 1 hour ago, PeterRus said: Just like all the Mooneys... Didn’t know that there was a problem with Mooney’s throwing blades
N201MKTurbo Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 It has been a few years since I landed at Hawthorn. It is a weird airport. It is just a giant slab of pavement. The only thing that separates the runway, taxiways and ramp is paint. It used to be the Northrop factory airport. The factory is still right next to it. I just looked at it on Google maps. It has grass now. The asphalt must have deteriorated between the runway and ramp.
1980Mooney Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 (edited) 38 minutes ago, bonal said: Tried to look up how many aircraft are based there but couldn’t get an answer wondering if they are using city owned hangars on yearly leases or long term leases. Seriously doubt the new “owners” are going to want to co exist with the existing GA community. Death by attrition one city, oops I mean one airport at a time. You may be right. Archer acquired the remaining 30 years of the 2005 50-Year Master Lease and subleases from a private company that has been managing the airport for the City of Hawthorne. They also have the exclusive right to acquire 75% of the FBO at Hawthorne. The City of Hawthorne will still own the runways and remains the Landlord for the facilities (as they always have). However it sounds like Archer can operate it as they wish. The Prospectus indicates this will be a commercial hub for air taxis if development is successful. So small jets and turboprops will fly in and drop people off that catch Archer Air Taxis. Flying Mag calls the vision “a flying Grand Central Station “. Can small GA coexist? Probably for now - yes. Longer term - maybe. Edited November 7 by 1980Mooney
Jackk Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 4 hours ago, Fly Boomer said: We like to talk about the demise of GA because of crashes, availability of parts, insufficient pipeline of new pilots, etc. The real story is that when there are no airports available, the rest of it won't matter. That’s why I like planes that don’t need a “airport” :) 1
PeterRus Posted November 8 Report Posted November 8 19 hours ago, Yetti said: No the Mooney prop will fly off into space. These props are level with the head. Except for this Mooney: 1
Parker_Woodruff Posted November 8 Report Posted November 8 Generally speaking, I'm a fan of privately owned airports, though it doesn't look like that's what's happening here. Privately owned airports certainly give us less hassles in the insurance world and are more small business friendly. Airport minimum standards are choking out small business. I've seen some wild things...one required anyone operating a flight school to have 2 seat aircraft and a 4 seat aircraft. As if that's relevant to providing quality flight training. How many times per year am I going to bat against some airport authority for insurance requirements that don't make sense or are completely unnecessary for the contemplated operation?
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