Aiport News & Press Releases

Military members and others returning to the Central Coast will be greeted by a patriotic presentation at the Santa Maria Public Airport.  The addition will show returning veterans that their service is appreciated, according to Bob Hatch, president/CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. Hatch is a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam …

Event Was to be Held This Weekend; Organizers Vow to Bring it Back in 2014 2013-08-24T01:00:00Z Thunder silenced at SMXNiki Cervantes/ncervantes@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times The skies over the Santa Maria Airport were set to play host to vintage and modern-day warbirds this weekend, part of the biggest Thunder Over the Valley air show ever.  But …

Airport Board to Discuss Participation in Program The Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors will consider partnering with two other airports in a program that could eventually lead to unmanned drones launching here. The board will discuss working with the Ventura County Department of Airports and Indian Wells Valley Airport District when it meets …

It’s not often an organization buys a million-dollar piece of equipment hoping it never has to use it. But that’s what the Santa Maria Public Airport did recently. The airport purchased a Stryker 3000 ARFF truck (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) from Oshkosh Corp. earlier this year, and the shiny, new truck was finally delivered July …

The Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary club recently honored outgoing president Chris Hastert following another successful year. During his presidency, the club accomplished many community-related efforts including the review of 37 community funding requests for local nonprofit agencies. The club was able to fund 33 of those organizations with a total of $38,370, which is 99 …

In the 1930s, Santa Barbara County operated its first fire station in the area near Solomon Peak and the Newlove Hill area. It was moved to Waller Park around 1950, and in 1961 the engine and crew were moved to 1025 Sabre St., across Skyway Drive from the airport. In 1969, the Santa Maria Public …

Plane Delivers 11,600 Gallons per Flight One of the nation’s largest aerial firefighting tankers has been flying out of Santa Maria Public Airport the last two days to battle a wildfire burning in the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno. The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 made its second flight from Santa Maria to the Aspen Fire …

Aviator’s History given to Raise Awareness about Library Resources Patricia Lynn, a local pilot, strapped on an aviator’s hat and goggles, tied a red scarf around her neck and wore a brown jacket Wednesday, in honor of the woman she was dressed to portray — celebrated aviator Amelia Earhart. Lynn participated in Altrusa International of …

Officials Cite Lack of Funding The 2013 Thunder Over the Valley Air Show has been canceled, a victim of federal budget cuts and, to an extent, its own success, its organizer said Monday. Mike Geddry Sr., chief executive officer for the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, said he was “devastated” by the decision, but that …