CHINO - Pilots who hangar their small, private aircraft at Chino Airport are concerned about potential restrictions and higher rent that could come with the county's long-term plans for its airport.

San Bernardino County officials envision an increase in runway usage for corporate and commercial use, more hangars as well as the development of non-aviation businesses at the airport and in the surrounding area.

Eastvale resident Jeff Aryan said he and other pilots fear being pressured to cut their night flying. They are also concerned about having new tenants, such as retail outlets, move in to non-aviation designated areas south of the airport's runways and north of The Preserve housing development.

Potential merchants moving onto airport land could also complain about noise or fear a crash, and corporate jet use could increase, Aryan said.

"The real motivation for the county is to get the bigger business jets in here, because the thinking is that the bigger business jets are going to produce more revenue," said Aryan, who flies a twin-engine Cherokee four-seater.

"They want it to be like a John Wayne Airport. The high-end business jets have come in, but the small guys have been bottled out. It's very expensive to operate. Once they get the bigger guys in there, your hangar space is going to become more and more expensive."

A.J. Ursic, who hangars his Cessna four-seater at the airport, said he fears development could lead to less Federal Aviation Administration grant money being available and fewer airshow flights because of planned non-aviation uses for the airport land.

"Once we say, `Let's put a Taco Bell in there,' the FAA can come back and say, `Hey, you're giving away airport ground and we want our grant money back,"' Ursic said. "Grant money's important, so I don't like the idea of giving away airport property for non-aviation use."

Developing the airport will help, not hinder, general aviation pilots, said Brian Johsz, Supervisor Gary Ovitt's district director.

Ovitt is spearheading efforts for the development.

"General aviation is being pushed out some of the larger airports like John Wayne and Long Beach (Airport), and they're looking for a home, and they can certainly find that at the Chino Airport," Johsz said.

"With the master plan moving forward, we can offer them more and better amenities. I think general aviations has been the heart beat of Chino Airport and we would like to keep it that way. There's plenty of room for business and general aviation."

The master plan for Chino Airport development is expected to be completed in the next several months.

The plan could mean millions of dollars in annual property taxes from aircraft fueling, sales and maintenance-related activities on the southwest portion of the airport and hundreds of new jobs, officials said.

Chino officials said they are eager for the economic windfall.

"We could have manufacturing, or aviation-related businesses out there, to help with the sales-tax revenue and that will certainly benefit the city of Chino," Mayor Dennis Yates said. "We're excited about it."

Plans are dependent on FAA approval, but officials say further movement on development would also be dependent on the economy and federal funding.

Construction could begin in earnest deepening on the area's economic recovery.

Michael Williams, director for the county's Department of Airports, said the goal is to ensure the long-term financial health and stability of the airport.

"Chino is the largest of the six airports the county owns and operates and we believe Chino is ideally suited to be the next growth airport within greater Los Angeles," Williams said.

neil.nisperos@inlandnewspaperscom, 909-483-9356