Fri, Apr 25, 2008
City Takes Matters Into Their Own Hands
The Los Angeles Times reports the FAA took legal action
Wednesday to overturn a ban on Category C and D jets at
California's Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO).
The ban was passed unanimously by Santa Monica City Council in
November, and would include many popular business aircraft --
including the Gulfstream IV, Challenger and Citation X -- with
approach speeds of 121 knots or more. Category C and D jets
account for about 9,000 operations at SMO, or about 7% of traffic
at the airport.
"We've worked very hard for nearly six years to reach an
agreement with the city of Santa Monica that addresses their
concerns and maintains access to the airport for all kinds of
aircraft," said FAA Western Region spokesman Ian Gregor. "We made
multiple proposals to the city, all of which the city
rejected."
The city calls it a safety issue, especially for residents near
the runway ends. By enforcing the ban, city officials face outcomes
including a federal lawsuit, misdemeanor charges, fines and even
jail time.
Santa Monica City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie looked to the
headlines to craft a response to the FAA threat. In her letter,
Moutrie wrote that the FAA, "...is already under criticism and
pressure from Congress for putting aviation industry convenience
ahead of public safety. The city urges you to change your course
and steadfastly put public safety first."
Regarding the city's decision to press the issue, and force a
confrontation with a federal agency, Moutrie waxed philosophical.
"We will start enforcing the law and see what happens. This is the
council's decision," she said.
Critics of larger jets at SMO say the airport lacks adequate
safety buffers, creating the potential for an accident.
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