Hangar situation in Cupertino CA area

Grum.Man

Grum.Man

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Grum.Man
Though nothing is set in stone by any means there may be a slight chance I could move to the Cupertino CA area. I will be traveling out in a few weeks for an interview I feel really confident about. I am still on the fence about living in CA but am trying to keep an open mind. In any case, can anyone give me a feel for what the hangar availability and prices are around the area. No set airport in mind since I have no idea where I would stay or how far I am willing to drive. Anything within an hour or so of Cupertino could be considered.

It would be for a 2 place low wing Grumman Yankee.
 
Watsonville has 130 or so names on the hangar waiting list. The actual wait is supposedly "only" three to five years.
 
Your three closest regional airports are KRHV, E16, and KPOA

Here is a link to all three managed by Santa Clara County. Click on "Fee Schedule" for the rates.

http://www.countyairports.org/forms.html

KWVI over the hill is cheaper but has a many year long waiting list. I am 2 years in so far and only moved half way.

Closest to Cupertino is KSJC which is a Class C but has limited general aviation. They have a few hangars with a current wait list.

http://www.flysanjose.com/fl/busine...=General+Aviation+|+Hanger/Tie-Down+Wait+List
 
Thanks for the info, the county website says there are available hangars at San Martin so I may give them a call.
 
Make sure to fully understand the cost of living in this area, particularly for housing and to take them into consideration for your salary demands.

All the best for your interview! :)
 
German guy;1835293[B said:
]Make sure to fully understand the cost of living in this area, particularly for housing and to take them into consideration for your salary demands.[/B]

All the best for your interview! :)
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:yes::yes:.....:thumbsup:
 
If you own any guns, drop em off in Texas on your way out. You wont need em where youre going
 
These places that have 130-people-long waiting lists.... why don't they build more hangars since they would obviously start earning money immediately? Our wait list at Reno for the east side is 7 people, but they all have hangars on the west side and there are a few empty ones as well.
 
JCranford said:
If you own any guns, drop em off in Texas on your way out. [...]
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If it would be only that. These laws might give him much more of a headache:

In the city of Walnut, it is illegal for a man to dress up like a woman unless prior permission has been gained from the sheriff.

In Dana Point, you may not use your own bathroom if the window is open.

In Chico, detonating a nuclear device incurs a $500 fine.

In San Francisco, it is illegal to store your things in your garage.

Source: http://www.losangelesduilawyer.org/los-angeles-dui-info/11-of-the-oddest-laws-in-california/

:D
 
DesertNomad said:
These places that have 130-people-long waiting lists.... why don't they build more hangars since they would obviously start earning money immediately? Our wait list at Reno for the east side is 7 people, but they all have hangars on the west side and there are a few empty ones as well.
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Because you need vacant land to build hangars.

Despite what people want to believe, small-airport land is severely underutilized, and will generate A LOT more revenue used for other purposes.

It's no accident the Oracle HQ is right next to San Carlos. If you were a county planner, what would you want? A billion dollar company or a marginal increase on a $10 million airport?

Santa Clara County doesn't do a damn thing for its airports, except for SJC. That's why the city of Palo Alto took over its airport. The county wouldn't even fill potholes let alone build new structures.

As for making money, PAO was the only GA airport in the county that operated in the black.
 
MAKG1 said:
Santa Clara County doesn't do a damn thing for its airports, except for SJC.
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I thought SJC was operated by the City of San Jose.

That's why the city of Palo Alto took over its airport.
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That, and the fact that the County indicated it didn't want to do it anymore.
 
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Palmpilot said:
I thought SJC was operated by the City of San Jose.
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Indeed it is.

So, I guess the county doesn't do anything at all.

It does have an airport commission, but they like to argue about whether South County should be called San Martin or not. It's not like anyone else cares.
 
If you don't mind a little drive you can find some hangars with reasonable rates over the hill.
 
MAKG1 said:
Indeed it is.

So, I guess the county doesn't do anything at all.

It does have an airport commission, but they like to argue about whether South County should be called San Martin or not. It's not like anyone else cares.
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They're also protecting the people in San Martin from those dangerous sky divers. ;)
 
1RTK1 said:
If you don't mind a little drive you can find some hangars with reasonable rates over the hill.
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It was pointed out earlier in the thread that Watsonville has a long waiting list.
 
KPAO, KSQL, KLVK, KHWD, KOAK, KSJC, E16, KCVH.....all should be within about about an hour's drive....
 
1RTK1 said:
Further inland, central valley.
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Who the HELL wants to commute to Tracy from Cupertino just to go punch holes in the sky? And that's the nearest one. And you'll drive by at least two airports to get there. Possibly more depending on where you live/work.

If E16 doesn't work (and it' IS a bit far), an investment in a plane cover and a tiedown while waiting out the list might make more sense. There are lots of tiedowns around.
 
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Yep, it's a bit of a drive. Had a guy that was driving from san jose to turlock while he waiting for a "tie down" to open up there.
 
I don't know how people do low-end GA in SoCAL. The economics of hangaring sub 100K spam cans in that area just doesn't add up to me.
 
I guess a tie down would be an option since there isn't the severe weather to worry about like there is here. It would be nice to have a hangar though to store tools and such in since I will likely be in an apartment for a while.

One thing I need to figure out how to look up is all the differences in laws for vehicles, gun ownership, and the like.

I realize the cost of living and have taken that into account for my bottom dollar. I am fighting internally if having this high end job on my resume is worth the pain of living in CA. Either way, if they are willing to fly me out for a few days on their dollar I'm certainly not going to say no up front.
 
Grum.Man said:
I guess a tie down would be an option since there isn't the severe weather to worry about like there is here. It would be nice to have a hangar though to store tools and such in since I will likely be in an apartment for a while.

One thing I need to figure out how to look up is all the differences in laws for vehicles, gun ownership, and the like.

I realize the cost of living and have taken that into account for my bottom dollar. I am fighting internally if having this high end job on my resume is worth the pain of living in CA. Either way, if they are willing to fly me out for a few days on their dollar I'm certainly not going to say no up front.
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If you are going to tie down, avoid KPAO. It is right down in the salt marshes and I have seen some pretty significant corrosion on aircraft that have been parked there long term. I would go with Ried-Hillview or South County.

Traffic can be pretty wicked in the Bay Area. However, you will enjoy the relative lack of humidity and how quickly it cools off at night. There is no shortage of fun things to do, good places to eat, and neat places to fly to.

Bring your guns, just don't wave them around. Mentioning the word "gun" can stampede the horses. Guns are legal, though buying ammo can be a hassle, so stock up on the way through Arizona. The main problem with California is their attempts to regulate the sale and purchase of guns and ammo. If you have magazines that hold more then 10 rounds, don't tell anyone.

The politics are goofy. Silly Valley is a bit more conservative than SF or Berzerkly, but that is not saying too much.
 
Grum.Man said:
I am fighting internally if having this high end job on my resume is worth the pain of living in CA.
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If it's "pain," no it's not worth it.

But somehow, 40 million people manage to make do.

The Southern tribalism won't get you very far, though. The locals will write it off as pretense, and treat it accordingly.
 
MAKG1 said:
If it's "pain," no it's not worth it.

But somehow, 40 million people manage to make do.

The Southern tribalism won't get you very far, though. The locals will write it off as pretense, and treat it accordingly.
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But a charming NC accent is IN right now, courtesy of Madison Bumgarner. :yes:
 
Kristin said:
The politics are goofy. Silly Valley is a bit more conservative than SF or Berzerkly, but that is not saying too much.
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I think of South Bay politics as being relatively pragmatic.
 
MAKG1 said:
The Southern tribalism won't get you very far, though. The locals will write it off as pretense, and treat it accordingly.
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Just curious about what you're referring to there.
 
Palmpilot said:
I think of South Bay politics as being relatively pragmatic.
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That is fair, IMX. I interface with folks from the South Bay, but live in the North Bay. We are a bit more Airy Fairy up here. :rolleyes:
 
Grum.Man said:
One thing I need to figure out how to look up is all the differences in laws for vehicles, gun ownership, and the like.

.
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The guns laws are a little different/stupid here. There are a few on magazine capacity that are limiting, bullet buttons on AR style rifles, etc. You also can't own a 50 caliber here in komifornia but I have never had a need for one, 338's and other wildcats work out better anyway. I have hunted all my life and never had a problem dealing with any kalifornia gun law and hunting.
 
1RTK1 said:
The guns laws are a little different/stupid here. There are a few on magazine capacity that are limiting, bullet buttons on AR style rifles, etc. You also can't own a 50 caliber here in komifornia but I have never had a need for one, 338's and other wildcats work out better anyway. I have hunted all my life and never had a problem dealing with any kalifornia gun law and hunting.
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Is that the new porno movie starring 6PC..:dunno::dunno::idea:......:D
 
Would love to move to Idaho or Wyoming (hunt there a lot) or somewhere in that neck of the woods, unfortunately family, business, etc. keep me planted here (but I might retire someday). When komnifornia goes bankrupt things might return to what it once was when I was a child.................Too bad I will be dead by then:(
 
On the other hand I'm planning to retire there. If I keep saying it enough, maybe I'll pull the trigger.
 
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