As with many small airports located in urban areas, a small contingent of vocal airport opponents have been agitating for closure of the Whiteman Airport, located in Pacoima. The San Fernando Valley Sun recently headlined an article: "Advisory Committee to Recommend Shutting Down Whiteman Airport to Supervisors."
Supporters of the airport formed the Whiteman Airport Coalition. A PR firm run by a former Commissioner is building support to oppose closure though this Coalition. The County of LA Dept of Economic Opportunity wrote to the FAA Airports Division seeking formal clarification of the federal obligations regarding the Whiteman Airport. Cathryn Cason, Manager of the FAA's Los Angeles Airports District Office responded with a letter.
Cason's letter stated: " . . an airport sponsor that has used grant funds to purchase land or that has received a conveyance of property from the Federal government must use the airport as an airport until released by the FAA. The FAA's overarching requirement for approving any airport closure is that the action must demonstrate a net benefit to civil aviation." This clearly has important implications for many airports throughout the country.