An Airport Serving San Gabriel Valley and Beyond

Jessica Privett, a flight instructor at the El Monte Airport was the April 21 speaker at Arcadia Rotary.  Jessica grew up in the San Gabriel Valley.  At the age of ten, her father took her to the El Monte airport for the first time. One day she was invited to take a ride in a small plane.  That experience influenced her entire life.  Jessica now has over 3,000 hours of flying.  Already, a certified flight instructor, she has progressed to a gold seal instructor, and is a member of “the Ninety Nines.”  Jessica is currently in the process off bcoming an FAA Safety Team Representative.

Jessica Privett’s presentation included (1) the history of the El Monte airport which was started in 1930, (2) its impact on the community, (3) aviation’s multifaceted uses and potential, and (4) the many needs the airport serves. In addition to normal airport use, services to the community include (a) fighting forest fires in the mountains, (b) search and rescue, (c) medical transportation, (d) police work including traffic control, and (e) agriculture. 

As the only remaining airport centered in the San Gabriel Valley, the El Monte Airport was one of three airports used to encircle and extinguish the this year’s vast “Station Fire.”  Helicopters in air ambulance mode can also be launched for medevac rescues of victims stranded at sea or in mountainous terrain.  El Monte’s proximity to Duarte’s City of Hope (and other nearby hospitals) saves lives in transporting patients requiring urgent medical treatment, and in carrying medical supplies.  Moreover, the airport enables police patrols and rapid responses to criminal activity and freeway collisions.  The airport also has an agricultural use in crop dusting.

Finally, an estimated 65% of flights are for business, philanthropic and public services which require transportation more flexible than the airlines can offer.   As such, the airport is available for charitable organizations such as “Medical Angels” (involved in earthquake relief in Haiti) and “Doctors Without Borders” (providing medical services to villagers in remote parts of Mexico). 

There are presently 365 aircraft home-based in El Monte.  Small jets can now use the airport. In addition, a new runway is being built.  Finally, in 2005 an airport restaurant was opened.

After her presentation which was introduced by Eric Barter, Jessica fielded many questions about her very interesting subject. (Art Killian)