Van Nuys Airport: A Convenient Aviation Hub?

Van Nuys Airport (IATA: VNY, ICAO: KVNY, FAA LID: VNY) is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighbourhood of Los Angeles. It is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, with over 300,000 takeoffs and landings in 2021. The airport has a rich history, originally opening as Metropolitan Airport in 1928, before becoming the Van Nuys Army Airfield during World War II. It has also been used as a filming location for several notable films and television shows.

History of Van Nuys Airport

Van Nuys Airport, located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world. With over 700 non-commercial planes flying in and out daily, it averaged 217,000 takeoffs and landings annually between 2013 and 2021. The airport is dedicated to non-commercial aviation and is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government, which also operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The airport first opened as Metropolitan Airport on 17 December 1928, the 25th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight. It was originally run by a small group of citizens who established a corporation. The airport was spread out across 80 acres, surrounded by trees and farmland. It was mostly used for general aviation but also became popular with Hollywood stars of the era. Scenes from the classic 1942 film Casablanca were filmed at the airport, as well as scenes from Laurel and Hardy's 1939 film The Flying Deuces.

In 1942, after the United States entered World War II, the government purchased Metropolitan Airport and converted it into the Van Nuys Army Airfield to help protect the West Coast. The Army also purchased an additional 163 acres of land to expand the runways and airfield. During the war, the airfield was used by the 4th Air Force, which stationed the 428th Fighter Squadron with Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft in 1943. In 1944, the 441st Army Air Forces Base Unit was added to train additional pilots for the P-38. The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Corporation also created an aircraft modification facility known as the Navy Lockheed Plant.

After the war ended, the City of Los Angeles bought the airport in 1949 for $1 as war surplus and renamed it San Fernando Valley Airport. In 1957, the name changed for the last time to Van Nuys Airport. In 1959, the Sherman Way underpass was completed, allowing the main runway to be extended to its current length of 8,001 feet (2,439 m). By the end of the decade, Van Nuys was ranked as the 25th busiest airport in the nation in terms of operations, despite having no commercial air service.

Van Nuys Airport in films

Van Nuys Airport has been a popular filming location since the 1930s. Its unique nature as an airport environment has made it a sought-after site for film, television, and music video shoots. The airport's film policy outlines specific procedures to accommodate filming activities while ensuring the safety of aircraft operations.

One of the earliest films to be shot at the airport was the 1937 film "Lost Horizon", starring Ronald Colman and Jane Wyatt. The following year, in 1938, "Test Pilot" with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy was also filmed at the airport. In 1939, the reckless flight scenes of Laurel and Hardy in "The Flying Deuces" were shot at Van Nuys Airport.

The airport's most notable appearance in film, however, is in the iconic 1942 movie "Casablanca". The now-defunct Art Deco watchtower of the airport, then known as Metropolitan Airport, was featured in the film, and it was dubbed "the most romantic runway in the world". Parts of the climactic scene of the film were filmed at Van Nuys Airport, including the landing of a 747.

Other films that have featured Van Nuys Airport include the 1950 film noir "Armored Car Robbery", where the dramatic ending takes place at what was then known as Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport. The science fiction film "Silent Running" (1972) also shot a major part of the film at the airport in 1971. More recently, the airport was used as a filming location for the 1996 film "Executive Decision", where it was referred to as Frederick Field.

In addition to feature films, Van Nuys Airport has also been a popular location for television shows and music videos. The 1980s action-espionage series "Airwolf" regularly used the airport hangars as the site of "Santini Air", a charter air service company in the series. Episodes of "Alias" and Season 5 of "24" have also been filmed at the airport. Music videos shot at the airport include "Stronger" by Britney Spears, "The Memory Remains" by Metallica, "All the Small Things" by Blink-182, and "God Gave Rock and Roll To You 2" by KISS.

The airport has also been the subject of documentaries, such as "One Six Right: The Romance of Flying" (2005), which chronicles the history of the airport and celebrates the local airport as the unsung hero of aviation. The film features interviews with pilots, airplane lovers, and celebrities who have learned to fly or landed at Van Nuys Airport.

Airport ownership and operation

Van Nuys Airport, located in the Van Nuys neighbourhood of Los Angeles, is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world. It is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government, which also operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAWA operates under the direction of a policy-making Board of Airport Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Los Angeles.

The airport was originally opened as Metropolitan Airport on 17 December 1928, the 25th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight. It was run by a small group of citizens who established a corporation. The airport was spread out across 80 acres of land, surrounded by trees and farmland. It was mostly used for general aviation but also became popular with Hollywood stars of the era. Notable films shot at the airport include the iconic airport scene in the 1942 film Casablanca, and Laurel and Hardy's reckless flight in the 1939 film The Flying Deuces.

In 1942, after the United States entered World War II, the government purchased Metropolitan Airport and converted it into the Van Nuys Army Airfield. The Army also purchased an additional 163 acres of land to expand the runways and airfield. During the war, the airfield was used by the 4th Air Force, which stationed the 428th Fighter Squadron with Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft in 1943. In 1944, the 441st Army Air Forces Base Unit was added to train additional pilots for the P-38. The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Corporation also created an aircraft modification facility known as the Navy Lockheed Plant.

After the war, in 1949, the City of Los Angeles purchased the airport from the War Assets Administration for $1, with the agreement that a California Air National Guard base would continue to operate at the site. The airport was renamed the San Fernando Valley Airport. In the 1950s, the California Air National Guard based North American F-86 Sabre jets at the airport and built new permanent facilities. In 1957, the airport's name was changed for the final time to Van Nuys Airport. In 1959, the Sherman Way underpass was completed, allowing the main runway to be extended to its current length of 8,001 feet.

Airport parking and transport

Van Nuys Airport (IATA: VNY, ICAO: KVNY, FAA LID: VNY) is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California. It is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, with no commercial air service. The airport is dedicated to non-commercial air travel and is home to news, medical transport, and tour helicopter operators.

Airport Parking:

Public parking is available at the Van Nuys FlyAway facility for FlyAway bus patrons at the FlyAway Bus Terminal. The parking rate is $2 per hour, up to a maximum of $6 per day, with a 30-day limit. This rate will increase to $6 per day starting on Monday, July 10, 2023. The Van Nuys FlyAway facility is an automated parking environment, and parking can be reserved at least six hours in advance or obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. It offers available charging for electric vehicles (EVs). All parking areas at the terminal are regularly patrolled by airport security. If you plan to be away for more than 30 days, it is recommended to arrange to be dropped off or picked up at the terminal, where a taxi area is also located. Please note that parking can be limited during peak travel periods, including summer and holidays.

Airport Transport:

The FlyAway bus service offers convenient, regularly scheduled round trips between Van Nuys Airport and LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) seven days a week. The buses run nonstop between the two airports, providing a 20-mile trip to LAX. At LAX, passengers arriving at the Lower/Arrivals Level can board buses in front of each terminal at the blue FlyAway columns. Each bus is marked with its service location. The FlyAway bus service helps alleviate freeway and LAX parking congestion.

Airport runways and taxiways

Van Nuys Airport (IATA: VNY, ICAO: KVNY, FAA LID: VNY) is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighbourhood of Los Angeles. It is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, with two parallel runways that average over 230,000 takeoffs and landings annually. The main runway (16R/34L) is 8,001 feet long, while the training runway is 4,000 feet long.

Now, let's delve into the specifics of airport runways and taxiways:

Airport Runways

Airport runways are the designated paths on which aircraft take off and land. They are typically long, wide strips of paved surfaces, such as asphalt or concrete, that provide a smooth and stable surface for aircraft operations. The length and width of runways can vary depending on the size and type of aircraft using the airport. Runways are marked with various visual indicators and signage to ensure safe operations. These markings and signs follow standards and guidelines set by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the United States.

Airport Taxiways

Taxiways are the paths that connect different parts of an airport, including runways, aprons, hangars, terminals, and other facilities. They allow aircraft to move between these areas safely and efficiently. Taxiways are also typically made of hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete, although smaller general aviation airports may use gravel or grass. Taxiways usually have markings and signage to guide aircraft and vehicles. These markings include holding position markings, which indicate where aircraft should stop and wait for clearance to proceed. Taxiways may also have edge lights to outline their paths during low-visibility conditions or at night.

Runway and Taxiway Markings and Signage

Runway and taxiway markings are essential for safety and are subject to periodic checks to ensure their quality and retroreflectivity. These markings include solid and dashed lines, bars, and alphanumeric taxiway identifications. Airports also use various signs to provide direction and information to aircraft and vehicles. There are different classes and types of signage, including location signs, direction/runway exit signs, destination signs, stop bars, runway signs, and holding position signs. These signs use different colours and inscriptions to convey specific information or instructions.

Taxiing Procedures and Speed

Most airports do not have a specific speed limit for taxiing, but there are general rules based on obstacles and manufacturer recommendations. Typical taxi speeds range from 20 to 30 knots (37-56 km/h). Busy airports may construct high-speed taxiways to allow aircraft to vacate the runway quickly, reducing the time interval between consecutive takeoffs or landings. This is achieved by reducing the intercept angle between the taxiway and the runway.

Frequently asked questions