Federal investigators have begun a probe into Monday's small plane crash that found a single-engine Cessna smashing into a home in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Airport Director Robert Trimborn told the Santa Monica Mirror that the pilot was headed back to the Santa Monica Airport after taking off on a solo flight to Santa Barbara. more ›

West Hollywood has formally gone on record in support of a pending federal bill that could force regulation of helicopters flying over residential areas in Los Angeles. The West Hollywood City Council adopted a resolution in support of HR 2677, the Los Angeles Residential Noise Relief Act of 2011. more ›

Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is celebrating its 80th birthday today, an occasion that will be marked with "government officials, civic and business leaders as well as hundreds of airport employees taking part in ceremonies," according to the Star-News. The domestic-service airport began in 1930 as United Airport, and is typically referred to as Burbank. Named for nearby Toluca Lake resident Bob Hope in 2003, Hope's descendants are pushing to keep the legendary funnyman and USO performer's legacy vibrant through the airport's name. Signs directing people to the airport are being changed to boast Hope's name, and biographical information will be added to displays in the airport that already tell the storied tale of the airport. Happy 80th, Bob Hope Airport! more ›

A historic piece of property has just gone up for sale: The redwood hangar where eccentric millionaire and aviation icon Howard Hughes (pictured) built and housed the "Spruce Goose." The hangar was set up in the early 40s when Hughes was awarded a wartime government contract, and, according to the LA Times, "is now used mainly for movie and television shoots." It is located in what is now the Playa Vista Development. In 1998, when work began on the site for Playa Vista, plans were to incorporate the 11 Hughes buildings on the premises as part of "the Campus at Playa Vista, a new entertainment, media and technology complex." more ›

LAistory is a series that takes us on a journey to what came before to help us understand where we are today. So far we've been to Val Verde (the "Black Palm Springs"), Thelma Todd's Roadside Cafe, a house in Beverly Hills, Echo Park's Bonnie Brae House, and the long-gone Marineland of the Pacific. Now we're taking to the skies and flying back to the Golden Era of air travel right here in Glendale... more ›