May 14, 2010 --Residents and City officials are in a war of words with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over a Santa Monica Airport (SMO) flight pattern test that Sunset Park and Ocean Park residents say has led to increased noise and disturbances. And this week Congressman Henry Waxman, whose district includes Santa Monica, got involved in the battle, taking the City’s side.

As part of a test to determine whether a new flight pattern could decrease delays at LAX and SMO, single-engine, piston-powered planes since December have been using an alternate route that has taken them over residences toward the Santa Monica Pier. FAA officials say there are about 16 planes per day taking this route, but several residents say they think the number is larger. The test is supposed to conclude on June 8.

Following a recent significant increase of noise complaints to SMO, the City issued a press release that scolded the FAA for not doing what it considered to be proper public outreach. The City said the FAA should have held a public hearing prior to beginning the test. Waxman this week sent a letter to the FAA with similar comments. He demanded the test come to an immediate end.

Several City Council members praised Waxman’s action during Tuesday’s Council meeting. The Council heard from residents who demanded something be done about the test. Lisa Hughes, who chairs an Ocean Park Association ad hoc committee created for this issue, said the planes are flying over local schools.

“Someone has basically decided to aim these missiles at our schools,” said Hughes, who said her research revealed there has been an average of one fatal crash per year of planes taking off from SMO during the past 22 years. “So if god forbid, one of these airplanes hits our schools, we will all be asking ourselves what more we could have done … to prevent a tragedy and protect the lives of our children.”

Council members could not respond extensively to the speakers because the item was not on the agenda. They encouraged residents to direct their complaints to the federal government, since the City has limited authority over airport issues.

“Santa Monica has no power to agree or disagree with any decisions made by the FAA,” Council member Bobby Shriver said. He continued, “It’s very, very important that you all understand this is the federal government (that handles this issue). It’s not the City government. It’s not even the State government”

Shriver told the residents, “The good news is Congressman Waxman is a very powerful congressman.”

FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor on Wednesday declined to comment on the Waxman letter because he said the agency is still reviewing it. But he wrote in an e-mail to The Lookout News that “the suggestion that the public was somehow kept in the dark about this test is completely false.” He wrote that the FAA contacted City officials and the local media about the test before it began.

“Public meetings are not the only way to do public outreach,” Gregor wrote. “However, if the City felt that a public meeting was appropriate, they were free to hold a public meeting on their own.”

Following the conclusion of the test, the FAA will review the results and decide whether to make the alternate flight pattern permanent. The FAA’s “environmental specialists” will determine the degree of environmental review that is required for this, Gregor wrote.

"Someone has basically decided to aim these missiles at our schools, there has been an average of one fatal crash per year of planes taking off from SMO during the past 22 years."
      Lisa Hughes