What is the FAA’s role in ensuring safety at Whiteman Airport and how can I learn more?  

The FAA’s mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Regarding Whiteman Airport (WHP) specifically, this includes:

• Overseeing the control tower at WHP within the Federal Contract Tower program to ensure the safety of arrivals, departures, and surface movements of aircraft.
• Certifying and conducting oversight of pilots, flight schools, aircraft repair stations, and other users at WHP.
• Providing Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for eligible projects, upon application by the airport sponsor.
• Conducting safety outreach to pilots and airfield users through our FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam).
• Collaborating with the airport sponsor and local stakeholders to address any safety or community noise concerns regarding the airport.

To learn more about the FAA’s work please visit the FAA's website and the FAASTeam website.  

What immediate actions is the FAA taking to improve safety at WHP?

The FAA has increased oversight and surveillance of pilots, flight schools, and aircraft repair stations at WHP, particularly during weekends when the airport is busiest. Additionally, our FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is actively organizing pilot safety seminars at WHP. We are also developing an Arrival Alert Notice (AAN) for WHP. AANs are graphics produced by the FAA depicting specific airport approaches to help pilots avoid wrong surface misalignment risks. The WHP AAN will assist pilots with avoiding potential misalignments with Hollywood-Burbank Airport.

How can Whiteman Airport pilots stay informed about upcoming safety seminars and FAASTeam programs?

Pilots can create an account on the FAASTeam website to receive email notifications about seminars and programs. The FAASTeam held two recent seminars at WHP on July 21st and July 27th. The next safety seminar will be held in Fall 2026. While FAASTeam safety seminars are not mandatory, we encourage all pilots operating at Whiteman Airport to participate in order to ensure they are equipped with the most up-to-date information on WHP operations.

What infrastructure improvements is the FAA making at WHP?

As part of the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) project, the FAA is upgrading the air traffic control tower at WHP with fiber optics to enhance communication reliability and clarity. The project is scheduled for completion by April 2028. We also recently enabled a new function in the WHP air traffic control tower called Approach Runway Verification (ARV) which helps ensure an aircraft is aligned with the correct runway for landing. Additionally, the FAA is reviewing a grant application from the airport sponsor for maintenance of pavement conditions at WHP to ensure the runway, taxiway, and surrounding areas continue to comply with federal and state operating requirements.

What role does WHP play in the local and regional aviation system?

WHP is a general aviation Reliever Airport within the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems and serves an important role in the local and regional aviation system. Reliever Airports are defined as those that relieve congestion at a commercial service airport and provide greater general aviation access to the overall community. In calendar year 2025, WHP accommodated nearly 127,000 aircraft operations, and the airport hosts numerous aircraft operators including: U.S. Forest Service, Civil Air Patrol, pilot training, law enforcement, disaster response, air ambulance, media organizations, and other operators.

How will the FAA keep the community informed about new safety initiatives at Whiteman Airport?

The FAA will work with the LA County Public Works Department to ensure new initiatives like the Arrival Alert Notice (AAN) for WHP are communicated to local pilots and the community.  Find details of upcoming pilot safety seminars. Additionally, the FAA has created a new Community Engagement webpage for Whiteman Airport.  

What is the Whiteman Airport Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meeting, and when will it occur?

The annual RSAT meeting focuses on airfield safety and was last held on Aug. 6, 2026. All WHP pilots and airfield users were encouraged to attend, and the outcome of the meeting is an updated Runway Safety Action Plan for WHP.  While the RSAT meetings are not mandatory, the FAA encourages all pilots operating at Whiteman Airport to participate in order to ensure they are equipped with the most up-to-date information on airfield safety. Learn more about the FAA’s Runway Safety program.

What are the requirements to obtain and maintain a private pilot license?

To obtain a private pilot license in the United States, candidates must meet several requirements set by the FAA:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Hold at least a third-class medical certificate.
• Complete ground school training and pass the FAA written knowledge test.
• Accumulate a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of flight training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight.
• Complete specific flight training tasks and pass a practical flight test (check ride) conducted by an FAA-designated examiner.
• Complete a flight review every 24 months.  Pilots who complete a current phase of the FAA’s voluntary pilot education and proficiency program (called WINGS) satisfy the regulatory requirement for their flight review.

How does the FAA conduct oversight of pilots that operate at Whiteman Airport?

The FAA conducts inspections and surveillance of pilots, flight schools, and aircraft maintenance facilities. This includes checking compliance with regulations, evaluating training programs, and monitoring pilot proficiency, especially during peak operational times such as weekends. The FAA has increased oversight and surveillance of pilots, flight schools, and aircraft repair stations at WHP in response to recent accidents and requests from Los Angeles County.

What does the FAA do if we find a concern with a pilot's qualifications, training, or aircraft?

If the FAA identifies concerns with a pilot's qualifications, training, or aircraft, they may take corrective actions, which can include additional training requirements, grounding the pilot or aircraft until issues are resolved, or enforcement actions if there are regulatory violations. The goal is to ensure safety and compliance with aviation standards. FAA enforcement actions can range from suspension of a pilot certificate, revocation of a pilot certificate, civil penalties, or other actions. Find more information on the FAA’s Compliance and Enforcement program.

For any safety concerns from the general public, you may submit a complaint to the FAA Hotline through the webform, or you may contact the FAA’s Van Nuys Flight Standards District office.  All safety concerns are thoroughly investigated by FAA subject matter experts.

Is there an age limit for general aviation pilots?

There is no maximum age limit for general aviation pilots as long as they can maintain the required medical certification. Pilots must hold at least a third-class medical to exercise the privileges of a private pilot license, and this certification must be renewed periodically based on the pilot's age.  Alternatively, pilots may comply with BasicMed requirements in lieu of holding an active medical certificate.

Is Whiteman Airport unique in its proximity to surrounding neighborhoods and communities?

WHP is not unique in being situated near residential neighborhoods; many general aviation airports are in or near urban areas. This proximity can present challenges related to noise, safety, and community relations, requiring ongoing collaboration between the airport, local authorities, and residents to address these issues effectively.

Do any statutory requirements or federal grant terms condition the continued operation of WHP? 

As communicated to Los Angeles County on January 21, 2026, when Federal grant funds are used to purchase land or when Federal surplus or non-surplus property is conveyed, the obligations tied to that land do not expire (the useful life of land is presumed not to expire). Separately, certain assurances (e.g., airport revenue, civil rights, and exclusive rights) extend so long as the airport is used as an airport. This means that an airport sponsor, such as Los Angeles County, 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.

What are some of the key obligations the County has to the FAA for accepting Federal Airport Improvement Program grant funding for improving and maintaining the airport?

When airport owners or sponsors, planning agencies, or other organizations accept funds from FAA-administered airport financial assistance programs, they must agree to certain obligations (or assurances). These obligations require the recipients to maintain and operate their facilities safely and efficiently and in accordance with specified conditions. The assurances may be attached to the application or the grant for Federal assistance and become part of the final grant offer or in restrictive covenants to property deeds. The duration of these obligations depends on the type of recipient, the useful life of the facility being developed, and other conditions stipulated in the assurances.  Currently, for airport sponsors, there are 40 FAA Grant Assurances.

Can the FAA restrict who is permitted to fly at Whiteman Airport (for example: limiting operations to emergencies or public safety only?)

Public airports are generally required to remain open to all users, and Federal law recognizes the public right of transit through the navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. § 40103). Furthermore, the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA), a federal law (49 U.S.C. § 47521-47534) restricts local airports from unilaterally imposing curfews or rules that limit aircraft access or noise. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles is a federally obligated airport and is subject to Grant Assurances, in particular Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination, which states that the airport sponsor will make the airport available as an airport for public use on reasonable terms and without unjust discrimination to all types, kinds and classes of aeronautical activities, including commercial aeronautical activities offering services to the public at the airport.

Is the FAA able to close the airport or suspend operations following an aircraft accident or for any other reason, i.e. determination of unsafe conditions, community impacts, excessive pilot violations?

Public airports are generally required to remain open to all users, and Federal law recognizes the public right of transit through the navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. § 40103). Furthermore, the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA), a federal law (49 U.S.C. § 47521-47534) restricts local airports from unilaterally imposing curfews or rules that limit aircraft access or noise. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles is a federally obligated airport and is subject to Grant Assurances, in particular Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination, which states that the airport sponsor will make the airport available as an airport for public use on reasonable terms and without unjust discrimination to all types, kinds and classes of aeronautical activities, including commercial aeronautical activities offering services to the public at the airport. In the event of an accident that occurs at an airport, the FAA and/or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conduct an investigation and take appropriate follow-up action.

What is the FAA and NTSB protocol for responding to and investigating aircraft accidents and what, if any actions are taken following completion of such investigations?

Find information about the NTSB’s investigation process. The FAA assists the NTSB by: participating in investigations, serving as a technical advisor to the NTSB, and providing data, records, and personnel to assist with investigations as requested by the NTSB. The FAA may also conduct investigations within our areas of responsibility in accordance with federal law. If the FAA identifies a safety risk in the National Airspace System, the agency takes immediate and appropriate action to mitigate the risk.