FOSP Airport 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, 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