Lived and worked in Orange County, near KSNA in the 1980's. Flew both AirCal and PSA in/out of KSNA several times, with outdoor boarding, before they expanded the airport and put in jetways. I seem to recall the baggage pickup was on the sidewalk outside in front of the airport. I bet the well-to-do people that lived in Newport Beach and Balboa loved those old 737-200's (and DC-9's) taking off overhead - this was before they implemented the noise restrictions.
I remember the Air California liveries very well. The jets from that era made such a beautiful cacophony of noise. And the aroma of the jet exhaust...yeah, those were the days.
Years ago I remember my Grandfather telling me about Orange Country Airport also being used as a Drag Strip from the early to late 1950's (Santa Ana Drag Strip) Seems they had a auxiliary runway for the strip and used it on weekends. A better place, A better time.
True stuff! It was very ad-hoc in those days in that you never knew if there were going to be enough racers to hold an actual event. Later we had the great Orange County International Raceway further south off San Canyon Road. That lasted till around 1984, I think, before the Irvine Company decided pink stucco and chicken wire condos were much more profitable
As a kid, I would stand on the balcony at the S. Tahoe airport and watch my dad depart/return on the Electra L-188. Loved the sound of those, and the smell of jet fuel/fumes still takes me back to mountain summers in the '70s.
Any idea what year this was? I grew up in Newport Beach and we flew from KSNA quite a lot (still do). I can see it's the pre-Hughes Air West era, before the yellow banana DC-9s, so late 1960s or very early 1970s? I even remember the Electras flying over my elementary school on Balboa Peninsula (I'm really old now).
I'm 67 years old and we've been in Orange County since 1967. We called it AirCal. Another airline there was PSA. Also, this was John Wayne Airport. Now the airport looks like a little LAX.
Also 67, also OC my whole life! Yup, Air Cal and PSA dominated back then. It's grown but in no way would I compare it to a "little LAX"! Have you been up there in the last decade?...DON'T
Lived and worked in Orange County, near KSNA in the 1980's. Flew both AirCal and PSA in/out of KSNA several times, with outdoor boarding, before they expanded the airport and put in jetways. I seem to recall the baggage pickup was on the sidewalk outside in front of the airport. I bet the well-to-do people that lived in Newport Beach and Balboa loved those old 737-200's (and DC-9's) taking off overhead - this was before they implemented the noise restrictions.
Yes, baggage pickup was on a covered, slanted table outside along the sidewalk.
So fortunate to have worked for Air California. What a great place to work, and have fun.
I remember the Air California liveries very well. The jets from that era made such a beautiful cacophony of noise. And the aroma of the jet exhaust...yeah, those were the days.
Years ago I remember my Grandfather telling me about Orange Country Airport also being used as a Drag Strip from the early to late 1950's (Santa Ana Drag Strip) Seems they had a auxiliary runway for the strip and used it on weekends. A better place, A better time.
True stuff! It was very ad-hoc in those days in that you never knew if there were going to be enough racers to hold an actual event. Later we had the great Orange County International Raceway further south off San Canyon Road. That lasted till around 1984, I think, before the Irvine Company decided pink stucco and chicken wire condos were much more profitable
I flew in the Air Force version of this aircraft: T-43. Those small engines look so strange now!
I live nearby. What strikes me the most is the background open areas. Now? wall-to-wall buildings thanks to Don Bren and the Irvine Company!
I used to hang out on the observation deck and eat at the restaurant inside, Delaney's.
Me too! That was a great experience being on that balcony and feeling the blast from the jet as it turns around.
@@lapipesmoker3751 yeah, you were very close to the aircraft. I like the electra prop planes that went to Lake Tahoe. Flew on those several times.
As a kid, I would stand on the balcony at the S. Tahoe airport and watch my dad depart/return on the Electra L-188. Loved the sound of those, and the smell of jet fuel/fumes still takes me back to mountain summers in the '70s.
Golden late's 60/70 aviation...around the world 🛩🛫👏👏👏👏👏
Any idea what year this was? I grew up in Newport Beach and we flew from KSNA quite a lot (still do). I can see it's the pre-Hughes Air West era, before the yellow banana DC-9s, so late 1960s or very early 1970s? I even remember the Electras flying over my elementary school on Balboa Peninsula (I'm really old now).
I'm 67 years old and we've been in Orange County since 1967. We called it AirCal. Another airline there was PSA. Also, this was John Wayne Airport. Now the airport looks like a little LAX.
Also 67, also OC my whole life! Yup, Air Cal and PSA dominated back then. It's grown but in no way would I compare it to a "little LAX"! Have you been up there in the last decade?...DON'T
0:19 Looks like the Hughes Airwest livery prior to 1971 when they switched to the "banana" theme.
I washed every airplane in the fleet at orange county/ John Wayne
I was on that flight.
Awesome
Oh man, that's some ugly livery. The one I remember is the 80's version, AirCal and the rainbow lines.