Vista Aviation Soaring for More Than 40 Years!
By Penny Alderson
Vista Aviation started in Dec. 1981 with $7,500 selling parts to tenants at the airport. It was quickly realized that there was a need for much more at Whiteman in Pacoima, Calif. An FAA repair station was added and then in 1990 the Vista Air flight school took off. Vista has grown to be a multi-million dollar business selling parts and avionics worldwide and providing maintenance and installations for hundreds of aircraft owners.
Vista was one of the first schools to become a Cessna Pilot Center and have taught thousands of students to fly. (Photo courtesy Vista Aviation)
Vista Aviation is a dealer for more than 30 manufacturers. They have the contract for the City of Los Angeles Aviation Division and are an essential vendor to several defense contractors as well as a supplier for Cal Fire and other government agencies.
“We are also a supporter of all the youth programs here at the airport, as well as the other non-profits including Angel Flight who transport patients to receive the medical care, they need free of charge,” said Penny Alderson, President and CEO. “We are working with our association, tenants, and the County to improve aesthetics at the airport and enhance our viewing area for visitors. We are again sponsoring the annual Air Fair at the airport and really looking forward to expanding the outreach this year with a Career Day as well, which will include opportunities both inside and outside of the aviation industry.
“Our flight school is going gangbusters. We recently added an additional two aircraft to our fleet. We have 10 instructors and 10 aircraft for instruction and rental. We were one of the first schools to become a Cessna Pilot Center and have taught thousands of students to fly,” Alderson added.
Whiteman Airport is a great location for learning to fly. Van Nuys and Burbank airports are mostly commercial airports and have become very busy. Whiteman has remained a general aviation airport and learning to fly there is time spent in the air and not on the ground waiting your turn to take off. But with the busy airspace close by you get the experience needed to fly anywhere.
Whiteman Airport is a place of extended family. Even in the hustle and bustle of LA, Whiteman is still that community airport that gives you a family spirit feeling. “We are helpful to each other. You need a quart of oil, here have one of mine. You need a ride to Camarillo, I’ll fly you. Just passed your check ride – Here’s a handshake and a great job thump on the back. We are proud of the accomplishments of others and enjoy our passion of flying,” said Alderson.
Whiteman Airport has the most youth programs and activities in all of Southern California. In fact, their EAA sponsored Young Eagles program is the third most active in the United States. They have given more than 10,000 free rides to the youth. It is also the home of eight nonprofits. This airport has the only Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron, EAA chapters, Aviation Explorers and Young Eagle Flights in the area.
Whiteman is a community airport serving the two-plus million residents in the northeast LA area. Whiteman is a base for emergency services and disaster relief services, including fire, medical, search and rescue, accident, earthquake, law enforcement and all manner of emergencies.
Whiteman is a reliever airport for other local and regional airports, allowing for efficient operation across the system. “We are home to more than 600 aircraft averaging 100,000-plus operations per year,” added Alderson.
Unfortunately, the airport has been under attack from a group in the area, as so many airports experiencing. Many of their claims have been exaggerated and dramatized out of proportion to the facts. The claims of lead in the air have been found untrue by a recent study done by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
“We are repeatedly targeted as giving nothing to the community when in fact we have more than 20 businesses at the airport employing nearly 500 people, many from local communities. The direct economic impact is 39.4 million and 43.8 in indirect/induced economic effect for a total economic output of 112.2 million,” said Alderson. “All the businesses and aircraft owners pay property tax each year, which funds the schools, libraries and emergency services in our area. We work, eat, and play in this neighborhood. We welcome anyone on our airport and are happy to give tours to any group and all our youth programs are available to all youth. All the local neighborhood councils have voted to keep our airport and they support and the great things happening here at the airport.
“The greatest message we want to spread is for the community to take advantage of the great opportunities for youth offered here. With the overwhelming shortage of pilots, mechanics, examiners, and other aviation careers, the opportunities in aviation are limitless. There are many fun and rewarding careers in aviation with fantastic pay and benefit packages,” Alderson said.
Come out to the annual Air Fair and Career Day Oct. 7, 2023, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be great games and fun for kids, an AOPA safety seminar, lots of food and a special focus on careers.
For more information, visit Vista Air at www.vistaair.com. Vista is located at 10000 Airpark Way, Pacoima, Calif. They can be reached at 1/818-896-5224. If you’re thinking about learning to fly, ask about their special $99 demo flight for new customers. Whiteman Airport is located at 12653 Osborne Street, Pacoima, Calif. The airport website is dpw.laounty.gov.