By Jim Thomas,
Tuolumne County Airports Manager
Tuolumne County Airports Manager
The Value of our Tuolumne County Airports
There is a saying used around the airport operators community that goes like this: A mile of road will take you a mile, but a mile of runway can take you anywhere. This statement has a lot of truth to it but a runway (airport) also provides services to a community, companies and organizations that often go unnoticed and I think that it is important for both pilots and non-pilots to understand the value an airport provides to a community.
In Tuolumne County we have two airports, Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake, and I would like to present some of the significant services and activities
that these two airports provide. The list is fairly long so bullets will be used to simplify the presentation.
o Air tanker base - Cal Fire
o Flight school/instruction Springfield Flying Service, PML Aero Club
o Aircraft maintenance Aero Resources, Mountain Aire Aviation
o Aircraft fueling Bald Eagle Aviation, Mother Lode Aviation
o Air charters Courtney Aviation, InterMountain Helicopters, PHI Air Medical
Employment There are approximately 50 full time jobs and another 30 part time jobs that exist because of the airports.
The jobs are spread among the various companies based at our airports.
Cal Fire air tanker base Provides wild fire protection for Tuolumne, Mariposa, Calaveras, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties. Recently, the Columbia based air tankers even fought a wildfire south of Minden, Nevada. The cost savings by preventing property loss cannot be quantified.
Prisoner Exchange Some prisoners are transferred to or from other counties or states by aircraft because it is safer and less costly than by ground transportation. The longer the distance, the more cost effective transporting a prisoner by air becomes.
PHI Air Medical This is a 24/7 air ambulance helicopter service which responds to accident victims throughout the area. Quickly transporting a person in need of critical medical care does save lives. Most of their patients are transferred to either Sonora Regional Hospital or to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
Medical Flights Some people under medical treatment need to travel to specialized medical institutions for additional or continuing treatment. When these people cannot travel by vehicle they are flown to their destination.
Recreation Many pilots fly for the pure enjoyment of flight which may include sightseeing, aerobatics, or travel. The Columbia Airport fly-ins and the overnight campground is the destination of many pilots.
Fast Efficient Transportation Some pilots use their aircraft to commute to work which allows them to work in a higher paying location but still live in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Fly-In groups Each year in the spring Columbia Airport is the annual gathering point for several pilot and aircraft owner groups including the Continental Luscombe Assoc., the Mother Lode Skywagons, the Bellanca Champion Club, the Western Canard Assoc., and the Sacramento Valley Pilots Association, just to name a few.
Aviation organizations The airports are the home to three local aviation organizations which are the Pine Mountain Lake Aviation Association, the Tuolumne County Aeronautical Association, and Chapter 1337 of the EAA.
In Tuolumne County we have two airports, Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake, and I would like to present some of the significant services and activities
that these two airports provide. The list is fairly long so bullets will be used to simplify the presentation.
o Air tanker base - Cal Fire
o Flight school/instruction Springfield Flying Service, PML Aero Club
o Aircraft maintenance Aero Resources, Mountain Aire Aviation
o Aircraft fueling Bald Eagle Aviation, Mother Lode Aviation
o Air charters Courtney Aviation, InterMountain Helicopters, PHI Air Medical
Employment There are approximately 50 full time jobs and another 30 part time jobs that exist because of the airports.
The jobs are spread among the various companies based at our airports.
Cal Fire air tanker base Provides wild fire protection for Tuolumne, Mariposa, Calaveras, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties. Recently, the Columbia based air tankers even fought a wildfire south of Minden, Nevada. The cost savings by preventing property loss cannot be quantified.
Prisoner Exchange Some prisoners are transferred to or from other counties or states by aircraft because it is safer and less costly than by ground transportation. The longer the distance, the more cost effective transporting a prisoner by air becomes.
PHI Air Medical This is a 24/7 air ambulance helicopter service which responds to accident victims throughout the area. Quickly transporting a person in need of critical medical care does save lives. Most of their patients are transferred to either Sonora Regional Hospital or to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
Medical Flights Some people under medical treatment need to travel to specialized medical institutions for additional or continuing treatment. When these people cannot travel by vehicle they are flown to their destination.
Recreation Many pilots fly for the pure enjoyment of flight which may include sightseeing, aerobatics, or travel. The Columbia Airport fly-ins and the overnight campground is the destination of many pilots.
Fast Efficient Transportation Some pilots use their aircraft to commute to work which allows them to work in a higher paying location but still live in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Fly-In groups Each year in the spring Columbia Airport is the annual gathering point for several pilot and aircraft owner groups including the Continental Luscombe Assoc., the Mother Lode Skywagons, the Bellanca Champion Club, the Western Canard Assoc., and the Sacramento Valley Pilots Association, just to name a few.
Aviation organizations The airports are the home to three local aviation organizations which are the Pine Mountain Lake Aviation Association, the Tuolumne County Aeronautical Association, and Chapter 1337 of the EAA.