Aiport News & Press Releases

A federal air tanker reload base at Santa Maria Airport, which allows immediate access to retardant in case of a wildfire, will be fully operational throughout next year's declared fire season, Los Padres National Forest officials announced today. U.S. Forest Service officials and the Association of Santa Barbara Fire Chiefs have been working on an …

After delays created by the temporary shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Santa Maria Public Airport runway extension project is on pace to be completed early next year. The second phase of the project, estimated to cost $5.4 million, will extend the runway pavement 1,700 feet and relocate navigational aids for the facility’s instrument …

The U.S. Forest Service is close to re-establishing a full-time federal air tanker base at the Santa Maria Airport during fire season, but the details need to be fine-tuned, county officials said Tuesday. The movement came at a meeting Tuesday — attended by representatives from the offices of Reps. Elton Gallegly and Lois Capps, Los …

Santa Barbara County officials have continued a push to reinstate the federal air tanker base at the Santa Maria Airport to full-time status by writing a letter to the U.S. Forest Service, but 4th District county Supervisor Joni Gray said Monday that there has been no response yet. The Forest Service air tanker base was …

At the recent airport show, Thunder over the Valley, the community once again provided financial support by their participation in sponsoring the corporate tents along the taxiway. We would like to recognize those corporations for their past and continuing support for the Museum of Flight’s annual air show. The sponsors were Toyota-Honda of Santa Maria, …

By Samantha Yale Scroggin/Staff Writer [email protected] Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fox, who is stationed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, enjoys smaller air shows such as Santa Maria's Thunder Over the Valley because the stationary planes get some attention.  At larger shows, a barrage of flashy air tricks soak up everyone's focus.  "I love coming to …

Thunder Over the Valley air show takes off today at the Santa Maria Public Airport. The Santa Maria Museum of Flight is hosting the annual event which includes vintage and modern warbirds. This year's event is saluting 100 years of Naval aviation. Gates to Thunder Over the Valley opened at 9:30 a.m. today and 10 …

On eve of local air show, Times publisher Cynthia Schur, takes to the air as passenger in vintage WWII plane. The sounds of early military aviation buzzed over the Santa Maria Valley on Thursday, thanks to a reconnection with a childhood friend and a pair of early arrivals for a weekend air show. The vintage …

The 2011 edition of Thunder Over the Valley this weekend at the Santa Maria Public Airport will salute 100 years of Naval aviation. The Santa Maria Museum of Flight event featuring vintage and modern-day warbirds occurs Saturday and Sunday. Entrance to the show area on the south side of the airport is accessible from Blosser …