Aiport News & Press Releases

Retired Air Force colonel served on the board for 20 years Retired Air Force Col. Ted Eckert, known for his steady hand and solid guidance while serving on the Santa Maria Public Airport District Board of Directors for 20 years, died Tuesday night after a lengthy illness. Eckert, 75, who later worked as a flight …

The 2011-12 fiscal year is going to be atypical for the Santa Maria Public Airport with an $8 million runway extension project under way and preparations for its long-awaited business park under development.  So the 2011-12 Budget isn’t going to be like many others, either, and the airport’s board of directors looked at that issue …

The Santa Maria Public Airport board of directors will consider the district’s 2011-12 budget and some runway extension contracts tonight at a meeting that was postponed from last week.  The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the Airport Administration building. Unlike cities, counties and public schools that rely on dwindling or disappearing state funding, …

The Santa Maria Public Airport continues the legacy of the city’s illustrious aviation history. Occupying 2,600 acres at the city’s southwest corner, the airport — also known as Capt. G. Allan Hancock Field — lies west of Highway 135 between Betteravia and Foster roads. The terminal, with its unique undulating roof line, is reached via …

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer bbullock@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 12:00 am | The Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors cleared the way Thursday for the second phase of its runway extension project, voting unanimously to put the project out to bid.  Board secretary Ted Eckert was absent from the …

High winds sweeping along the Santa Maria Public Airport runway couldn’t keep 88-year-old Joel Johnson from crossing the tarmac for an up-close look at a restored B-17 parked outside the Radisson hotel Tuesday.  A 10-year Nipomo resident, Johnson fought back tears as he examined the World War II bomber nicknamed Aluminum Overcast.  “Strange. Strange,” he …

By Mike Hodgson / Associate Editor / mhodgson@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times Parked on the tarmac at the Santa Maria Public Airport, its polished skin glinting in the sun, the Aluminum Overcast presented what is arguably one of the most iconic images of World War II. “Isn’t that a beautiful airplane?” Ralph H. Nutter of Santa …

A shining example of aviation and military history is scheduled to land Monday at Santa Maria Public Airport, where visitors can get a glimpse inside an example of an aircraft that helped turn the tide of World War II. The restored B-17 heavy bomber Aluminum Overcast will be available for on-the-ground tours Tuesday and Wednesday …

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer bbullock@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2011 12:26 am  Even though the runway expansion project at the Santa Maria Public Airport has run into unexpected challenges, it’s still on approach to open later this year. The $3.5 million first phase that includes infrastructure improvements and extension of the …