Aiport News & Press Releases

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 …

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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 …

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Mock crash tests rescue reactions

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer [email protected] 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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Tanker makes first US water drop on Santa Maria

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer [email protected] | Wednesday, April 14, 2010  A Russian-made firefighting tanker drops water Tuesday during a test over the Santa Maria Public Airport.  A Russian air tanker made its first water drop on American soil Tuesday in a demonstration flight at the Santa Maria Public Airport. Carrying 3,000 gallons of water, …

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Russian Air Tanker Lands in Santa Maria

Santa Maria City firefighter Shane Gidlund takes a photo of the Be-200. The Russian air tanker, known as the Altair, landed Wednesday at the Santa Maria Public Airport for a week-long visit. Below, Russian crew members unload their luggage. An amphibious aircraft being touted as possibly the future of aerial firefighting in America landed Wednesday …

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Biz Buzz: Airline that flies through Santa Maria expands to Hawaii

Allegiant Travel, the Las Vegas parent company of discount commercial carrier Allegiant Air, is expanding its service into Hawaii. The low-cost carrier currently offers regional service from Santa Maria to Las Vegas twice a day, according to schedules published online by the Santa Maria Public Airport District. The company is buying six Boeings over the …

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