Reid-Hillview Airport hosted its annual Community Day Airport Festival on Saturday Sept. 23.
The variety of historic aircrafts scattered throughout the airport were the main attraction. Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County is a small primarily general aviation airport located on the east side of San José.
Pilot Dotianne Reynolds said she hoped the event would help pique people’s interest in the airport. She’s hoping people will be more interested in the aviation jobs they have to offer.
"This festival is supposed to bring the community into the airport so they can learn about the classes that are offered, such as aviation classes and driving classes. Especially women, we need more women in aviation," Reynolds said.
There were between 20 to 30 aircrafts at the festival. The most popular aircraft that everyone wanted to take a picture in front of was the N742WT aircraft which was painted teal and white and had butterfly doors.
Tom Reynolds, retired pilot and Dotianne Reynolds’ husband, said the benefit of the festival is bringing the community together and getting to know each other, enjoying each other's company.
"This festival gives people activity and there's a lot of space here so we can bring people together," Tom Reynolds said.
The festival also had booths with many different vendors prepared for some hands-on fun. Volunteers from SJSU Aviation club explained several different assets that Reid-Hillview Airport has to offer. They gave out pamphlets and spoke about quality history on flying in the Bay Area.
Aviation and technology junior Andy Lapuzza said the airport is a learning environment for not only students, but for community members as well.
"Some people want to shut down Reid-Hillview but there's some people who want to keep it open. Our community is at a crossroads with this airport," Lapuzza said.
"The most beneficial thing the airport festival can do for the community is get people more aware of what the aviation industry is and what it has to offer,” Lapuzza said. “The festival also helps you get to know the community and make new friends."
According to Green Foothills, The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to close Reid-Hillview Airport in Aug. 2021. Some in the community want the airport to close because surrounding neighborhoods have endured lack of sufficient urban green space, constant noise, risk of plane crashes, and dangerous air pollution for decades.
