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Salinas Airport plans Food and Fly In, waives nonprofit permit fees and opens formation flying for training
Summary
The Salinas Airport announced a Food and Fly In for March 3, waived city permitting fees for this nonprofit event, plans restaurant patio upgrades and will permit controlled formation flying for training in a designated box south of the airport.
The Salinas Airport manager outlined several community engagement and facility initiatives, including a Food and Fly In scheduled for March 3, upgrades to the airport restaurant patio and a new process to permit controlled formation flying for pilot groups.
The manager said Gate 1 (formerly Jet West) is co‑sponsoring the Salinas Food and Fly In and that tenant Aaron Chang is spearheading the event. The purpose, he said, is to bring more airplanes and families through the fence for static displays and to introduce non‑pilots to aircraft. The manager said the airport sponsored the event and asked the city to waive permitting fees for this nonprofit community event; he said the airport will provide some staff support and that the city’s permitting process (handled downtown) requires roughly 45 days for review.
On permitting, the manager said event organizers are guided to downtown staff such as Vicky Sargent and that food trucks and public‑safety requirements are coordinated with county health and the fire department. He said three permits have been issued so far this year and the airport expects several more events.
The manager described planned improvements to the restaurant patio (the Flying Artichoke) including installation of shade sails, low‑voltage lighting, landscaping and boxed non‑fruiting olive trees to create a more hospitable dining destination on the airside patio.
The commission also agreed to allow controlled formation flying takeoffs and landings for training and practice in a designated area roughly 15 miles south of the airport. The manager said pilots must call the airport manager’s office in advance, identify a team leader and coordinate with the tower so operations are safe and expected. He said formation flights would increase fuel flowage fees and airport activity and that pilots would likely use local hotels and airport conference facilities when overnighting.
The manager said fuel sales and operations (takeoffs and landings) are up year over year, strengthening the case for continued tower operations.
No formal permit policy changes were adopted at the meeting; staff described current practice and the airport’s sponsorship of this specific nonprofit event.
