MAMMOTH TIMES PHOTO/SUSAN MORNING

Captain Steve Bush and First Officer Mark Borden brought the first Horizon commercial bird down for landing at Mammoth Yosemite Airport at approximately 10:05 this morning, as scheduled. Two flight attendants, Stephanie and Cherie, were on board to create a guest experience for the media who had flown up on the test flight and then to greet local media and residents who toured the plane after the passengers had disembarked for lunch catered by Patina at the Mammoth Mountain Inn.

“Beautiful conditions for flying today,” Captain Bush said from the cockpit. Both he and Borden were clearly elated to participate in the exciting first commercial flight into Mammoth Yosemite Airport on a stunningly clear day.

The flight departed LAX as scheduled at 9 a.m. Disembarking passengers were greeted by Town Manager Rob Clark, Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory and Airport Manager Bill Manning.

About 60 Mammoth locals, including members of the Planning Commission and Town Council and Mono County Supervisor Vikki Bauer, milled around to observe the landing of the Bombardier Q400 (DH4), a 74 seat high-speed, twin-engine turboprop that is one of the most technologically advanced regional aircraft in the world.

In a press release issued by the Tourism and Recreation Department, it is also apparently one of the most environmentally friendly aircraft, burning 30 percent less fuel and producing 30 percent lower emissions than comparable jets. It has as typical cruising speed of 414 miles per hour.

The Bombardier could be seen arriving from the south over Long Valley, then made a wide u-turn in the vicinity of Hot Creek before coming in from the north for landing. The excitement of the locals on the tarmac was palpable before they were ushered into the lounge area by Danna Stroud, Director of Tourism and Recreation for Mammoth Lakes.

“We're going to create a total guest experience for the passengers,” Stroud announced, and hastened to asasure everyone present that they would be able to tour the plane afterwards. – CB