Author Archive for: ‘admin’

February 2011 Update

U.S. Court of Appeals Rules against City in C and D Aircraft Ban

Jan. 21, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a ruling denying the City of Santa Monica’s appeal of a 2009 FAA decision and subsequent court injunction preventing Santa Monica from implementing a City ordinance enacted on March 25, 2008. This ordinance banned larger, faster Category C and D aircraft from using the Santa Monica Airport because the runway was not designed …

October 2010 Update

Aircraft Emissions

Airport Neighbors experienced an unusual event recently—a reprieve from the buzzing of aircraft over their homes. The Santa Monica Airport (SMO) was closed for four days, Sept. 20-23, to complete runway maintenance. The City of Santa Monica took advantage of this time to conduct baseline measurements of air quality to enable more accurate assessment of aircraft emissions.

Residents in close proximity to SMO have voiced their concerns about aircraft emission impacts, particularly jet fumes, on their family’s health. …

May 2010 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 …

November 2009 Update

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 …

May 2009 Update

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, …

SMPD New Patrol Plan