Santa Monica Airport In The News...
"FOSP Amicus Brief in Support of the Petitioner, the
City of Santa Monica -- June 25, 2010"
SM Airport Update
November 2009
FAA Proposed Flight Path Cuts Across Sunset Park Neighborhood
Beginning approximately Dec. 1, the FAA is starting a 180 day trial period relocating the instrument (radar not visual) departure path of piston powered aircraft. According to Airport staff this new procedure will affect around 20 departures a day during limited visibility weather (i.e. clouds, rain, etc.).
The FAA said the current SMO departure flight path has an intersecting trajectory with the LAX departure path. Because the piston powered aircraft’s slower speed, there is concern regarding the ability to maintain compliance with the minimum 3 mile horizontal separation that is required between aircraft without causing delays of up to 15-20 minutes of jet departures from both SMO and LAX. The flight path of jets departing SMO will not be altered because of their similarity in speed to departing aircraft from LAX they are more easily integrated into LAX flight departures.
At reaching 400 feet elevation from mean sea level (approximately midway down the Penmar golf course), the piston powered IFR (instrument flight rules) aircraft will be directed to turn right on a 250 degree heading toward the Santa Monica Pier.
The FAA had agreed to make an informative presentation at the Oct. 26th Airport Commission Meeting for discussion and public comment. They canceled at the 11th hour and replaced the public meeting with a private meeting (no public allowed) on Nov. 6 with airport staff and FAA representatives. In other words NO public record, NO public comment.
A FOSP Airport Committee representative has voiced concerns to the City that the altered flight path will have significant noise impacts on the Sunset Park neighborhood. As the aircraft make their way along the new flight path toward the Pier, the rising topography of the neighborhood north of Dewey and Marine would actually position the aircraft closer to the elevated ground level (and homes) than when they initiate their right turn over the golf course.
According to Airport Staff, any permanent change in flight paths will require the FAA to conduct an environmental review under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Staff plans on requesting that the FAA establish a dedicated phone line to field residents’ noise complaints.
SM Airport Update
May 2009
ANOTHER Ruling by FAA Strikes SM's Efforts to Implement Airport Safety
For years there have been concerns regarding the close proximity (less than 250 ft) of the Santa Monica Airport’s runway ends to neighborhood homes. On March 25, 2008, the city of Santa Monicapassed an ordinance banning unsafe, faster Class C and D aircraft from the Santa Monica Airport. The City based the new law on the FAA’s own recommended safety standards.
Unfortunately, the FAA deemed access for the unsafe, faster aircraft more important than the safety of the residents. The agency filed for a “cease and desist” order and was granted a temporary restraining order by the U.S. District Court, upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 8, 2009.
The FAA also challenged the City’s new ordinance with an administrative review process called a Part 16 Complaint. A ruling was issued May 14th by Hearing Officer Anthony Palladino. Mr. Palladino ruled that the attempted ban of unsafe aircraft would violate the City's federal grant agreements and obligations under the 1984 Agreement. The City has until July 8 to appeal Palladino's decision to an FAA Associate Administrator. If an unfavorable ruling were to be issued by the Administrator, the next step would land the City in Federal Court. Meanwhile, Airport neighbors continue to live under threat of an aircraft careening off the end of the runway.
EPA to Conduct Lead Particulate Study at the SM Airport
A presentation was made at the January 2009 Santa Monica Airport Commission meeting regarding a study of airborne lead particulates being conducted by the EPA. Currently, fuel for propeller planes still contains lead. The EPA’s study of the dispersal of lead into the environment by aircraft exhaust, set to commence in June 2009, could lead to new standards for aircraft fuels.
NEW Museum of Flying to Hold Community Outreach Meeting
Saturday, May 16, 2009 -- 2 PM
3100 Airport Ave. (adjacent to the new DC-3 monument)
The SM Airport staff is working with the Museum of Flying to ensure that the new location is compatible with adjacent businesses and neighborhoods. They have invited all interested parties to review the site improvements and operational plan. While the museum was formerly located on the north side of the Airport, the new site is considered more desirable because of its close proximity to the DC-3 monument. For more information, contact the Airport office at (310) 458-8591 or Daniel Ryan, Managing Director of the Museum of Flying, at (310) 398-2500.
Airport Commission Looking at the Airport’s Future
With the expiration of the operating agreement between the City of Santa Monica and the FAA approaching in 2015, the SM Airport Commission, at its April 2009 meeting, requested that a representative from the City Attorney’s office make a presentation regarding documents that may have a determining factor on the use of Airport land after 2015. Airport Commission meetings are open to the public and are usually scheduled the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM, in the City Council chambers. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next meeting is scheduled on June 1, 2009. Agendas are posted the prior Thursday on the Airport’s web site: http://www01.smog.net/airport
*If you have a friend who would like to be added to the FOSP Airport notification list or if you wish to be deleted from the list, please contact the FOSP Airport Committee at fospairport@labridge.comor (310) 392-1907
May 18, 2008
Judge Blocks Santa Monica from Enforcing Jet Ban
March 12, 2008 -
City of Santa Monica's March 12th Response to FAA's March 7th Proposal
March 7, 2008 -
FAA's March 7th Proposal to City of Santa Monica RE: Santa Monica Airport -
March 7, 2008 -
"FAA Still in a Stall; City Should Pass the Fast-Jet Ban"
