Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 3

103 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3 MAMMOTH YOSEMI TE A I RPORT would be the expansion of the helicopter apron and potential addition of firefighting capabilities. Here in the eastern Sierras, we are vulnerable to fire seasons and there are no forward firefighting bases in the area for air support – which is critical for us. So we’d like to see that expand. On another note, we have a lot of high-end jets and high-end clientele that fly in, so we want to ramp up our image and keep pushing on that charter service to make it a ‘special deal’ with an immersion of local Mammoth Lakes products on the plane to enhance the experience. Being so remote, the airport needs to support the community as much as it does need to bring in tourism. So that’s the direction I’d like us to go.” parking apron project, including some buildings and hangars. We receive a decent amount of helicopter operations such as life flights, search & rescue, and supporting our local hospitals. We want to keep growing our airport and our resources to support our community’s growth and needs.” Not only is MMH close to the Town of Mammoth Lakes, it is also just 32 miles from the east access to Yosemite National Park, and about 100 miles from the valley floor. Additionally, about 18 miles from the airport is Devils Postpile National Monument – an unusual rock formation of columnar basalt that is perfectly knit together like a massive mosaic. Looking to the future, Shultz envisions the airport becoming a tourism hub for people to get to the Mammoth Lakes region and all it has to offer. She would like MMH to grow their charter services, with more flights to additional locations, as well as more passengers on the flights. Patterson has his own ideas, sharing, “To me, it