Clay Lacy Aviation
Van Nuys, CA
About Clay Lacy Aviation
Clay Lacy Aviation was founded in 1968 by Clay Lacy, who received both the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010, followed by a Lifetime Achievement Award from Aviation Week in 2024. Early clients included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Kirk Douglas. In 1981 Clay Lacy became the first all-jet FBO in the country. Today the operation at 7435 Valjean Avenue holds FAA Part 145 Repair Station certification, and a new MRO facility opened in January 2019 for on-site maintenance. In January 2021 the facility installed a 30,000 square foot solar array that offsets 500 metric tons of CO2 annually. Clay Lacy has been carbon neutral since 2019 and was the first company certified to NATA's Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses. The airport awarded it the Van Nuys Airport Friendly Flyer Award eight times. Clay Lacy is an Embraer Authorized Service Center and operates around the clock. Van Nuys is 15 miles from Hollywood.
Amenities and services
Operations at Van Nuys Airport
Beverly Hills is about 12 miles south of the airport, typically 25 to 40 minutes by car depending on traffic on the 405 or surface streets. Santa Monica runs about 15 miles southwest, Malibu around 20 miles west. Downtown Los Angeles is 25 miles southeast, roughly 35 to 55 minutes in normal conditions. Traffic on the 405 and 101 corridors can extend those times significantly during peak hours, so morning and late afternoon departures warrant extra ground time. Car service is the standard option. Clay Lacy and other FBOs at VNY can arrange ground transportation on request. Helicopter transfers to LAX, downtown, or coastal destinations are available through several operators based at the field.