Mammoth Yosemite Airport update - Horizon Air on the horizon

Great news for our Mammoth/Yosemite Airport!

The FAA recently issued a Record of Decision conditionally approving Horizon Air to establish air service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) beginning this December 2008. This definitive step towards having commercial air service into Mammoth Lakes, California once again is good news for our community and for those working for so many years on this idea. For more information, please see the following press release dated May 19th from Stuart Brown, Community Relations Manager for the Town of Mammoth Lakes:

"FAA ISSUES RECORD OF DECISION FOR MAMMOTH YOSEMITE AIRPORT"

Mammoth Lakes, CA – Scheduled commercial air service is one step closer with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing its Record of Decision (ROD) approving the proposed Horizon Air Operations Specifications Amendment to allow scheduled air service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH).

The ROD allows Horizon Air to proceed with implementing commercial air service with two daytime flights between MMH and Los Angeles International Airport beginning in the winter ski season of 2008/2009 (approximately December to April) provided the Town of Mammoth Lakes obtains a 14 CFR Part 139 Class 1 Airport Operating Certificate for MMH. Horizon Air’s initial proposed service utilizes a 76 seat Bombardier DHC 8-400 (Q-400) turbopropeller aircraft.

“This Record of Decision represents a significant milestone for Mammoth in reinstituting commercial air service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport. The process has been lengthy, arduous and not without significant challenges, but the end result will greatly contribute to the economic sustainability of our community,” stated Karen Johnston, Assistant Town Manager. The aviation forecast anticipates that the subsidized winter ski season service could increase to eight flights per day by the winter ski season of 2011/2012 as additional regional markets such as Las Vegas, Northern California, San Diego or alternate Southern California markets are added.

Winter service is not expected to exceed eight flights per day due to the airport facility physical constraints (e.g., terminal capacity, available apron area). The forecast estimates that unsubsidized summer (July through August) air service could begin in 2012/2013 with two flights daily from LAX.

The Horizon Air Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was prepared and issued by the FAA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the implementing regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Although the Horizon Air FEIS demonstrates that there would be no significant impacts associated with the proposed action, the FAA prepared an EIS because FAA considered it most prudent in light of the previous injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for the Town’s proposed expansion of the airport, and the resources potentially affected by establishment of scheduled air carrier service. "

And to everyone who has said, "I'll believe it when I see it," the work has already begun on the runway, as seen in this photo taken on May 19th.

There were at least a dozen bulldozers scraping the runway getting ready to re-surface it. Local pilot Jon Eller explains that they should be getting rid of a small crown in the runway that prevents pilots at one end of the runway see all the way to the other end. For more information on the airport, including its current closure, click HERE.



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Mammoth Mtn Bike trail update

On Sunday, May 18th, I rode up past The Village at Mammoth to explore the "Uptown" and "Downtown" mountain bike trails half expecting a short ride due to snow. However, I made it all the way up past the garage before I had to turn around due to time constraints.

I started up Downtown and quickly came across two felled trees - watch out. The Uptown trail still has snow here because it runs close to Minaret and within the range of snowblowers that threw the snow onto the trail. I switched over to "Uptown" about 1 mile in and then back to the "Downtown" trail up near Sunshine curve.

Conditions are good, considering the crew has not yet raked the trails yet (disclaimer: passes will be needed once the ski area opens up the mtn bike park in a few weeks). You will be riding over just a bunch of small branches and pine needles. I had to hike-a-bike two or three times to get over tall snow piles, but rode around or through about a dozen more smaller snow piles.

Up near Canyon Lodge it opens wide up with no snow at all because the forest is less dense (more sunny).

With the ski slopes closing down this Monday, it's good to know the trails are opening up. When one door closes...another opens! Enjoy! -DC

Mammoth / Yosemite Air Service Update - A few more steps in the right direction for bring commercial air service to Mammoth Lakes, California

At a recent Town of Mammoth Lakes Council meeting, a number of actions were taken that should bring us a few steps closer to really, truly having commercial air service here in Mammoth (Really!!). According to sources, the council approved the $1,500,000 budget for the renovation of the existing terminal and has awarded the contract to Spiess Construction. As well, it was stated that Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Town have signed a letter of intent agreeing to loan funds necessary for the completion of the Airport Terminal up to $1,800,000. The airport is scheduled to be closed to all flights starting May 19th so that construction can commence on the resurfacing of the runway, a contract that has been awarded to Qualcom Construction.

It was also reported that there were no negative comments to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) relating to the reinstatement of commercial air service and that a Record of Decision is expected on May 17th.

Horizon Air has signed a letter of intent to bring flights to Mammoth and is expected to be in Mammoth today and tomorrow in order to inspect the layout of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport.

The Airport Commission and Town Council seem to be confident that 2008 will be the year for Commercial Air Service here in Mammoth!