A Series of Bad Decisions

Unprofessional management has led to costly mistakes. These are summarized below; click on the paragraph headings for more information.

  • 1997 Expansion Proposal - Features: an incorrect airport layout (never approved by he FAA?), and a development agreement that violated federal grant assurances.
  • Hangar Location - Hot Creek Aviation was allowed to build hangars located too close to the taxiway and runway, inconsistent with the stated goal of commercial jet service.
  • Mammoth Mountain Plan. In 1998, Mammoth Mountain planned for American Airlines service by large aircraft (757).
  • Another Defective Layout - In 2000 the Town proposed a new project, with a new layout that failed to meet Aberican Airlines' complete requirements and conflicted with the CalTrans right-of-way along US395.
  • Defects Confirmed - In 2004, the FAA reccognized that the layout did not meet the published federal specifications.
  • Hump and Hangars - To see half the runway length as FAA regulations require, the hump in the middle of the runway must be lowered, leaving hangars nd buildings up in air. This expensive change was not proposed, and so the longer runway would not have met visibility standards.
  • Interference with Doe Ridge - Correcting the layout errors will force the taxiway up against Doe Ridge, which must be partially excavated. This is Forest Service land.
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airport entrance

East Hangars and Doe Ridge
These and other hangars must be moved to provide enough runway and taxiway space for jet aircraft.

  • Ignoring Bishop - The superior Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop at lower altitude already has three runways, with FAA-funded improvements underway. Does Mammoth even need an improved airport?
  • Inflated Air Travel Estimates - The Town promised higher numbers of airborne visitors than Vail, with ten times the local population and eight major ski areas nearby.
  • Environmental Lawsuits - The environmental reports on this project were so bad that the State of California and environmental groups sued the FAA and the Town. The federal judge said the federal report was "myopic" and "disingenuous."
  • Back to the Drawing Board - Because of these problems, the 2000 expansion project has now been replaed bya amore modest proposal to bring in regional aircraft.