FOSP Airport Update

By Cathy Larson, FOSP Airport Committee Chair
FAA Changes Flight Path

Have you noticed more prop planes flying over your neighborhood in the last few months?
Are the noise impacts disrupting your life? Are you concerned about the low altitude of these aircraft?
Friends of Sunset Park and the Santa Monica Airport Noise Management Office are seeking public comments on recent flight path changes.

In December 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) altered the departure flight path of propeller planes flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft (as opposed to Visual Flight Rules). This flight path change was implemented to facilitate departures of jet and turbo-prop aircraft from both SM Airport and LAX. It is being conducted on a trial basis for six months.

The new departure flight path toward Santa Monica Pier brings IFR propeller airplanes over homes in Sunset Park, whereas in the past they flew over PenMar Golf Course after taking off.

Public Input Needed
 
FOSP and the SM Airport Noise Office are encouraging residents to submit complaints about noise impacts and safety concerns caused by these low-flying aircraft. This data is being collected to measure the impacts of the flight path change. Data collected before June 8th will determine whether the FAA has to conduct an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) before making the new flight path permanent.
 
Residents can file a complaint by either calling the Airport Noise Hotline at (310) 458-8692 or sending email to noise@smgov.net
 
Your complaint must include the date and time when you heard and/or saw the airplane, your name, and your address.
 
For more information, the staff report from the November 2009 Airport Commission meeting is posted at:
http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Commission_Meetings/2009/20091123/FAA_Test_of_Piston-powered_IFR_Procedure.aspx
 
If you have questions, you can contact Stelios Makrides, SM Airport Noise Management Supervisor, at (310) 434-2693, or Cathy Larson, FOSP Airport Committee Chair, at (310) 358-7117.