There are four major issues involving the City's management of the Torrance Airport-Zamperini Field.
1) Counter-productive Airport Policies
Torrance Airport is a valuable resource, but it is not being used productively.
During the upcoming major sporting events, (2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, 2028 Olympics, etc), many attendees will fly their own or rented
aircraft to the Los Angeles area to attend. Torrance Airport could be a great way to attract them to use local hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies
and other local services. For those that can afford it, this is an attractive option to the crowded airlines and the chaos of LAX. They are willing to
spend money--lots of it!
Developments of electric-powered, short take-off "commuter" air taxis will make our airport increasingly valuable as a transportation node. Advanced Airlines, operating out of Hawthorne Airport, and JSX, operating out of Santa Monica Airport are a glimpse of the future for this mode of travel.
Torrance Airport flight schools attract hundreds of employees and students to our area. They rent or buy housing and they patronize our local businesses. As a result, they annually contribute tens of millions of dollars to our local economy. The City should not be trying to force them off of our airport.
2) Unnecessary and Discriminatory Landing Fees
Landing fees are unnecessary. Over the past 10 years, from 46% to 94% (average of 31%) of Airport Funds were transferred annually out of the Airport
Fund and into the General Fund. Thus, an annual average of $11.3 million (which is currently diverted from the Airport Fund) is available to provide for
any additional funds (if needed) for airport operations and maintenance without the Landing Fees. The fees are not needed and were instituted solely to
throttle airport operations
Landing fees are discriminatory. All other airport users are charged landing fees EXCEPT for Robinson Helicopter Company. Even other helicopter operators on the airport are charged landing fees for the same operation of landing and hover-taxiing to their parking spots on the airport. The landing fees are discriminatory.
Torrance landing fees are not at all typical. Almost no airports charge landing fees for based aircraft because those airport customers already pay for hangar and tie down rent, fuel flowage fees, and other charges. Some airports do not charge landing fees for aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds.
3) Illegal Flight Restrictions
Torrance Municipal Code violates Federal Law and is in conflict with numerous court case decisions.
The City's restrictions on missed approaches and aborted landings are a serious safety issue. As stated on the FAA's web site:
"Congress has provided the FAA with exclusive authority to regulate aviation safety, the efficiency of the navigable airspace, and air traffic control,
among other things. State and local governments are not permitted to regulate any type of aircraft operations, such as flight paths or altitudes, or the
navigable airspace.
Cities and municipalities are not permitted to have their own rules or regulations governing the operation of aircraft."
In other words, the FAA's Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are the only rules that apply to aircraft operations, including flight paths and altitudes. Torrance Municipal Codes clearly do not apply and may, in fact, be an improper encroachment of the exclusive authority given to the FAA by Congress.
4) Lack of Accountability
Taxiway light repairs were never done.
Three years ago, the City paid nearly a half-million dollars to Belco Electric Co to repair the airport taxiway lighting system that had been inoperative
for at least four years. The contract was extended and yet the lights were never repaired.
When the Airport Commission sought to talk to the City Council about it, they were charged by the City Attorney and City Manager with a Brown Act violation and the Commission was inactivated for 4 months.
Last year, a $5 million contract was awarded to repair the airfield lighting, but reports on progress are not made public.
An Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) remains inoperative On June 3, contract was awarded to Royal Electric to install an AWOS at Torrance Municipal Airport - Zamperini Field. The equipment was procured and installed. Operation was expected by end of October 2025. The system is still not in operation and we have been unable to obtain a revised operational date or any reason for the delay.