Monday was our most unusual ever, flying a small plane out of SBA. Going on a planned early afternoon flight to Lompoc, we joined over a dozen other aircraft waiting for takeoff.
Normally, aircraft inbound to SBA are shuffled like a deck of cards to smoothly merge with aircraft taking off. Instead, we patiently waited while dozens of aircraft happily landed in front of a growing patient audience unable to leave. Onlookers ranged from the smallest to largest aircraft that typically frequent SBA. It was actually quite inspiring.
In the surprisingly long time we waited at one of the runway entrances, we never heard a single complaint or even a question as to what the problem might be or when resolution was likely. I’m still curious though, so if anyone knows… (Max?). Returning later we saw vehicles on a taxiway, so maybe it was something to do with animals, debris or repairs?
Anyway, coming home at sunset the light was warm. I snapped this view of a small reservoir in the hills to share. The clear blue sky above was veiled with haze, giving the impression of a hole in space-time wearing a tiara of power lines.
Departure stop at SBA? What’s up with Monday afternoon’s total stop on all departing aircraft while sporadic landings seemed to continue as usual? Clearly nothing wrong with runways and taxiways, since all runways were used for landings and those aircraft were able to get to their parking. Anyone know what the situation was? Maybe something to do with the regional control room? Some sort of test? Any other ideas?
OK, so maybe the staffing shortage that’s been in the news?