Category Archives: General

Museums stretch to recoup lost city funds

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer jramos@santamariatimes.com | Posted: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 With less money coming in from the city, the Santa Maria Museum of Flight is looking to add events to boost its attendance and revenues.  In the current fiscal year, which began July 1, the museum will receive $15,000 from Santa Maria’s General …

Read More

Airport fees gaining altitude

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer jramos@santamariatimes.com Beginning today, various rates and charges at Santa Maria Public Airport will go up as the Airport District tries to recover costs of operating and maintaining hangars at the facility. To generate more money to cover expenses for a money-losing part of the airport, the Santa Maria Public Airport …

Read More

Santa Maria Airport still Operating in the Red

With a continued decline in revenues from a slowdown in passengers and fewer landings at Santa Maria Public Airport, the agency that runs the facility has again dipped into reserves to cover its deficit for the coming fiscal year. Taking into account operating revenues and expenses plus non-operating revenues and expenses, and all capital projects …

Read More

A century of high-flying history

A F-4 Phantom is one of the planes displayed on the tarmac at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight.//Bryan Walton/Staff A century of aviation history is on display at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight overlooking the city’s public airport. The museum, which boasts everything from a full-scale replica of the Wright Brothers 1902 glider …

Read More

Warbirds return to Santa Maria

A B-17 Flying Fortress, a P-51 Mustang, and a B-24 Liberator - part of The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom tour - were scheduled to arrive Monday, but rain delayed their flights. Visitors are welcome to tour the inside of the vintage aircraft and 30-minute flights also are available, organizers said. Viewing the exterior of …

Read More

Warbirds to appear at SM Public Airport

The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom tour will bring a B-17 Flying Fortress, a P-51 Mustang, and a B-24 Liberator to the Santa Maria Public Airport from Monday through Wednesday. American warbirds, crucial to winning World War II, are coming to the Central Coast next week.  The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom tour will bring …

Read More

Mock crash tests rescue reactions

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer jramos@santamariatimes.com Although no grades will be handed out after a drill simulating a plane crash Wednesday at Santa Maria Public Airport, officials from the city and the airport said the exercise served as a valuable test run for a real-life incident. Coordinated chiefly by the Santa Maria Public Airport District …

Read More

Simulated plane crash this morning

A simulated plane crash is scheduled for today at Santa Maria Public Airport. The airport will remain open for normal operations during this exercise, and people in the terminal, Pepper Garcia's restaurant and general aviation areas will be notified of the drill, city of Santa Maria officials said. The drill - involving the city police …

Read More

Simulated plane crash planned for Wednesday

A simulated plane crash is scheduled for Wednesday at Santa Maria Public Airport, city of Santa Maria officials announced. The airport will remain open for normal operations during this exercise, and people in the terminal, Pepper Garcia's restaurant and general aviation areas will be notified of the drill, the city said. The mass-casualty scenario is …

Read More