KBNG Banning Airport authorized to close by FAA

[Ventucky Red]

Nope. I guess nobody gives a crap. The next time the city is on fire, it will just take that much longer for fire crews to get there. But, I guess that’s not important. California never has fires anyhow…. /s

I think Cal-Fire aviation is based out of Fresno, and LAFD and LA County out of Van Nuys... I know as of late KCMA and KSBD has been the home base to many firefighting aircraft.

 

[pfarber]

Hate to see any GA airport close,it’s all about the money. Some communities can’t afford to support an airport.

more like regulations make it prohibitive for GA fields to be profitable. No hangars? No FBO,no MX.... why? People who don't know aviation are in charge of aviation assets.

 

[ateamer]

I think Cal-Fire aviation is based out of Fresno, and LAFD and LA County out of Van Nuys... I know as of late KCMA and KSBD has been the home base to many firefighting aircraft.

Cal Fire has bases throughout the state. Practically everywhere in the state is within 20 minutes of air tankers. They do a tremendous job of containing and knocking down small fires before they get big. 99% of what they do never makes it to the news.

Their air HQ is at McClellan airport in Sacramento.

 

[Ron Berinstein]

Cal Fire has an existing base at Hemet, one airport away. Anything at Banning would be an Annex and there is no apparent lack of space for expansion at Hemet.

Hemet Air Attack

Hello, I am happy to see that Hemet is alive and well. If you are old enough you might remember Anita O'Day, a famous swing/jazz singer with the Stan Kenton Big Band (and others). She lived in Hemet! You also might remember that Banning WAS used as a firebase. The talking points I mentioned were obtained from a pilot involved in firefighting there. Viewing the activity necessary to fight the recent LA area fires will reveal that many airports were incorporated into the effort, and they all were sort of one airport or so away from each other. (We have a fair number of airports here in LA, though true enough, we also have only the history of many as well.) I can assure you that the airports we do still have are necessary. Easy to build houses. Not so easy to build airports. We need to protect those that we have, and that goes for Hemet as well! Best to you!