Category Archives: General

The Adventures of Vance Breese Nipomo resident Vance Breese almost died 15 years ago while attempting to set a land speed record on a streamliner motorcycle. Years later, he has recovered and can be seen in area skies piloting a unique experimental gyroplane aircraft with his girlfriend, Edna. The two have plans to fly cross …

Airport welcomes nearly 70 Marines with SM-style feast   By Julian J. Ramos   Nearly 70 Marines from Camp Pendleton are among the newest fans of Santa Maria-style barbeque.   Members of the Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 were the guests of honor Tuesday at the Santa …

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

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …