‘Bud’ Sittig takes operational reigns of the new California Pacific Airlines

CARLSBAD, CA — California Pacific Airlines’ new President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence A. “Bud” Sittig, has been in the aviation industry for 43 years, serving in a variety of leadership positions, both military and civilian.

A South Dakota native, the new COO began his military career as a fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. He rose through the ranks to that of brigadier general, retiring as the Chief of Staff of the Colorado Air National Guard. During his years as an Air National Guard officer, Sittig managed a civilian career in the airline industry from line Captain to executive leadership positions in Flight Operations.

In 1976, Sittig began his airline career as a pilot with Western Airlines. In 1987, when Western merged with Delta Air Lines, he moved on to become a Delta Captain, later serving as General Manager of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot where he had operational oversight of some 10,600 Delta pilots. He later moved on to become the Director of Flight Safety for Delta’s world-wide operation.

Sittig retired from Delta Air Lines in 2004 to join the founding team of Skybus Airlines, a start-up carrier in Columbus, Ohio. As Vice President of Operations for the Ohio-based airline, he led the FAA air carrier certification and operational start-up of the airline. With a fleet of 11 Airbus A319 aircraft, Sittig was responsible for daily operational control with oversight of pilots, flight attendants, flight dispatchers, crew resources, technical publications library, operations IT and all corporate training. He was the airline’s primary contact with the Federal Aviation Administration.

At CPAir, Sittig says he faces new challenges along with some familiar ones, but added he certainly looks forward to getting the new Southern California-based airline off the ground.

“When I first visited Carlsbad a year ago, I was impressed with founder Ted Vallas’ enthusiasm and vision for an airline serving North County. I could see the potential for a new airline operation serving Palomar Airport particularly with its geographical location and strong business community in San Diego’s North County.”

Sittig, who made his first solo flight at the age of 16 on the family farm in South Dakota, said he’s worked with many leaders in the aviation industry and considers Vallas one of the best.

“Ted is a visionary and a successful businessman,” Sittig said. “I appreciate his leadership style and look forward to working with him.”

He said the first big hurdle for CPAir is FAA air carrier certification as an airline.

“I’ve been through the certification process before at Skybus. The FAA certificate journey is long and arduous, representing the first significant milestone in launching a start-up airline.

“The CPAir team has already worked for more than two years, documenting the policy and procedures that the company will employ to safely and efficiently operate the carrier,” he concluded. “We are beginning to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel.”

California Pacific Airlines’ proposed routes from Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport in northern San Diego County are non-stop flights to: San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and later Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City. All flights will be non-stop, with crews and planes returning at night to Carlsbad.