Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV)

Reid-Hillview Airport operates exclusively as a general aviation facility serving Silicon Valley with over 86,000 annual operations (exceeding San Jose International's 80,000), though the airport faces potential closure as early as 2031 following Santa Clara County's controversial 2021 decision based on disputed lead contamination studies linked to aviation fuel usage. The county banned leaded 100LL fuel sales effective January 1, 2022, requiring all aircraft to use unleaded alternatives, while ongoing legal and political battles continue over the airport's future despite its critical role in emergency services, flight training, and relief operations such as the 300+ flights delivering 125 tons of earthquake supplies during the 1989 Loma Prieta disaster. Ground transportation to Silicon Valley tech companies, Stanford University, and San Jose downtown requires coordination with ride services or rental cars, as public transit connections remain limited from this eastern San Jose location. The airport's dual parallel runways (13L/31R at 3,100 feet and 13R/31L at 3,099 feet) accommodate busy flight training operations and charter services supporting Silicon Valley's business aviation needs, with controlled airspace requiring radio communication and careful coordination with San Jose International Airport approaches. Multiple FBOs provide comprehensive services including fuel, hangars, maintenance, and aircraft rentals, though the uncertain closure timeline has affected long-term investments and business planning throughout the aviation community. The lead contamination controversy centers on conflicting scientific studies, with 2021 research linking elevated blood lead levels in nearby children to aviation emissions, while subsequent 2022 soil testing found lead concentrations within federal standards, creating ongoing community division between aviation advocates highlighting emergency services value and residents concerned about public health impacts.

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