DATE: 03/19/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Economic Development Department
2025-108
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF A SUBLEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CW
TRANSPORTATION AND BARNSTORMERS BIPLANE RIDES TO OPERATE AN
AERIAL TOUR AND FLIGHT EXPERIENCE BUSINESS AT THE CORONA MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks Council to approve a sublease agreement between Barnstormers Biplane Rides and CW Transportation at the Corona Municipal Airport.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Approve a Sublease Agreement between CW Transportation and Barnstormers Biplane Rides.
b. Recommend to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) approval of the request by CW Transportation to permit Barnstormers Biplane Rides to establish this business at the Corona Municipal Airport.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona (City) holds a recreational lease with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) for the acreage that makes up the Corona Municipal Airport. The total leasable space consists of hangars, offices, buildings, aircraft tie-downs and a fueling station. The leasable space is apportioned into seven (7) separate parcels and subleased to three (3) master sub-lease holders as follows:
a. Parcel I is leased to CW Transportation
b. Parcel II & VI is leased to Diamond Aero Corporation c. Parcels III, IV, and V are leased to Corona Executive Hangars.
Each of these master leaseholders is authorized to utilize the premises solely for parking, storing, tying down, maintenance, and repair of aircraft, as well as other lawful aviation-based purposes incidental thereto. Any other use must go through the two-step approval process noted in Section 3.13 and Corona Municipal Code 4.12.020 which require approval from the City Council and USACOE before operating any commercial establishment at the airport.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed business, an aerial tour and flight experience business, is an airport-related use and, permissible, subject to City of Corona and USACOE approval and subject to the business agreeing to comply with all applicable regulations.
CW Transportation has assured staff that Barnstormers Biplane Rides will abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of the governmental entities with authority over the Corona Municipal Airport in operating its business. Upon obtaining approval from the USACOE, Barnstormers Biplane Rides will obtain a City of Corona Business License and the required insurance, naming the City of Corona and USACOE as additional insureds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action will not impact the City’s Airport Fund. Corona CW Transportation will receive the revenues generated by this agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
No environmental review is required because the proposed action is not a project governed by the California Environmental Quality Act.
PREPARED BY: JOEL BELDING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REVIEWED BY: JUSTIN TUCKER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Letter from Barnstormers Biplane Rides