Santa Paula Airport Ravaged By Mother Nature

Historic Santa Paula Airport (SZP) has sustained substantial damage in the recent California rains. Santa Paula is a really nice airport in a beautiful little valley. SZP is a great airport to practice somewhat challenging approaches. The proximity of the mountains on either side of the airport makes you feel clostrophobic. Plus you throw a few airplanes in the pattern with you and you've got a situation that will definately keep you on your toes.

As you can see from the photo below the damage is extensive. I heard on the radio estimates as high as $25 million to fix it. I hope they do. It would be a shame to lose this airport.



Here's a picture of Santa Paula when the river is behaving itself. Which, up until February of 2005 it always had.