Palmdale Airport

* Re “Only Slow Growth Seen for Palmdale Airport,” Aug. 21.

Your recently published article dealt with how useful it would be to divert some of the people who fly out of Los Angeles International Airport to an international airport in Palmdale. It is obvious that most people are not familiar with how airplanes fly.

Palmdale would be a wonderful airport location except for two items which would make it impossible:

* The airport is approximately 2,500 feet high.

* Daytime temperatures approach or exceed 100 degrees many days a year.

You ask what difference this could make? An L1011 TriStar max takeoff weight is decreased by 45,000 pounds under these circumstances, due to Federal Aviation Administration second-segment climb requirements. This represents 200 passengers and their baggage, or approximately three hours of fuel. This means aircraft range is restricted to approximately six hours total, which is less nonstop mileage.

These restrictions, with some variations, are applicable to any make or model of jet.

In the 1970s I was flying test flights out of Palmdale on Lockheed L1011 TriStars. Early in our program, we were testing for long-range (full fuel tanks) capability. Our criteria was to depart Palmdale early in the morning. Fact of the matter, if the aircraft was not ready by 9 a.m., we had to cancel until night or early the next morning.

I will say, weather-wise, Palmdale would be a great choice, but to run an international airline from there would be a disaster. Improve LAX or expand Ontario. No Palmdale.

GEORGE HALL

Northridge