Airport News
Federal Judge Orders Santa Monica to Lift Large Aircraft Ban
April 29, 2008
Late yesterday in Los Angeles, a U.S. District Court judge granted the FAA’s request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the City of Santa Monica from enforcing its ban on large aircraft operations at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) while the court considers the government’s request for a permanent injunction. The order is effective immediately; a hearing on the injunction is presently scheduled for May 15. Read a web article with more details on the latest developments at SMO.
SMO Large Aircraft Ban In Effect As Issue Goes to Court
April 28, 2008
A ban on large jet aircraft at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), adopted last month by the Santa Monica City Council, now appears to be before the District Court for the Central District of California. Last week, the FAA issued a cease-and-desist order directing the City of Santa Monica to suspend its ban by the close of business today. The city has yet to respond to the order, and the FAA appears prepared to enforce its directive – a hearing on the matter is listed in the docket for the issues to be considered today by California's Central District Court. In spite of this development, operators should consider the ban in effect until withdrawn, and those using Category C and D aircraft at the airport while the ban is in effect could be subject to substantial fines. NBAA will continue to monitor the situation and report all new developments.
City of Santa Monica Pursues Aircraft Ban at SMO
April 21, 2008
The City of Santa Monica has recently sent letters to operators detailing the City’s new ordinance banning Category C and D aircraft beginning on Thursday, April 24. Actual implementation of the Ordinance is expected to receive a legal challenge from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “NBAA and its legal counsel continue to closely monitor the progress of legal developments between the City of Santa Monica and FAA,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA is also considering its own legal options.” More.
Santa Monica Again Proposes Ban on Larger Business Aircraft
December 3, 2007
The City of Santa Monica has proposed an ordinance for Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) that would prohibit the operation of any aircraft larger or faster than the B-II aircraft in the FAA's airport reference code. A number of larger business aircraft could be affected as a result. The City first proposed the ordinance in 2002, at which time, NBAA objected, and the FAA tentatively found that the proposal would violate federal law, the grant assurances and the 1984 settlement agreement. The FAA again has objected, and NBAA has submitted a letter to the mayor and the City Council, emphasizing that this is not a safety issue as every aircraft operating to and from SMO does so pursuant to FAA-approved manuals and instrument approach procedures.
California Emissions Bill Headed to Senate; NBAA Urges Members to Act Now
June 25, 2007
Assembly Bill 700 (AB 700, Lieu) is now headed to the California Senate Committee on Environmental Quality for hearings beginning this week. The legislation would require the California Air Resources Board to study the amount of time that turbine aircraft engines run while on the ramp at Santa Monica Airport (SMO). The bill, an unfunded mandate that may cost the state $150,000 through FY 2009, could result in potentially crippling monitoring regulations for one of California's preeminent community airports. NBAA asks Members to contact their California senators and Environmental Quality Committee members, urging them to oppose this back-door attempt to restrict operations. More.
2006–2007 Balchen/Post Award Winners Announced
June 11, 2007
At the 41st Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo, NY, the snow crews of the airports in the Snow Belt were presented with awards for their efforts to maintain safe operations during the 2006–2007 winter season. Recommendations for award selection came from users of airports, general aviation, airlines, the military and others in the aviation community. NBAA congratulates all of the winners, including Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH), Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Centennial Airport (APA) and Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). Learn more.
NBAA Opposes Runway Shortening Measures at Santa Monica
February 26, 2007
In comments filed with the FAA last week, NBAA opposed a plan at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) that would shorten the useful length of the runways and largely foreclose operations by medium and large business jets. The City of Santa Monica has proposed creating a runway safety area by installing an engineered material arresting system (EMAS) at the end of Runway 21 and by establishing declared distances, which would reduce the available runway for Runway 21 by over 200 feet; and would reduce the landing distance available for Runway 3 by more than 800 feet. If this proposal was implemented, most jets with a maximum takeoff weight of more than 20,000 pounds would be unable to land on Runway 3, and would be able to land on Runway 21 only with payload penalties. In its comments, NBAA emphasized that this was another instance in a long history of efforts by the City of Santa Monica to close the airport to jet operations – efforts that NBAA has opposed and the FAA has prevented for more than two decades. View NBAA's comments.
NBAA Creates New Access Committee
November 6, 2006
NBAA has folded its Airports/Heliports, Airspace/Air Traffic and Local Business Aviation Organization Standing Committees into a new Access Committee to better consolidate its efforts in support of the NBAA Board of Directors' Strategic Action Plan. The Access Committee will advocate for regulations and procedures that ensure business aviation's non-discriminatory access to airports and airspace. It also will develop products and services to help NBAA Members optimize the use of business aircraft in the airspace system, and it will educate local business and political leaders on the benefits and economic value of business aviation and regional airports. Review the Committee announcement. Review the new Access Committee web page.
Airport Resources
NBAA Access Committee
This Standing Committee focuses on NBAA Member access to the National Airspace System (NAS), to the national system of U.S. airports and to political processes at the local level that affect business aviation.
Airports in Focus
Review NBAA reports on key airports for the general aviation community.
NBAA Airports Handbook
Provides background information on airport problems and the relationship between airports and various government authorities.
NBAA Noise Abatement Program
NBAA's Noise Abatement Program has been in existence since 1967. NBAA recommends its noise procedures as a standard for all operations where aircraft
manufacturers have not already recommended specific procedures.
Boeing Airport Noise Regulation Information
This database provides general information on noise-related restrictions. It is not intended to and should not be used as a basis for making any business/operating
decisions. Operators are urged to consult additional sources, such as flight handlers, when planning international trips.
Advisory Circular AC36-1H: Noise Levels for U.S. Certificated and Foreign Aircraft (895 KB PDF)
Advisory Circular AC36-3H: Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels (690 KB PDF)
Noise Levels for Business Jets, Based on Advisory Circular AC36-1H (47
KB PDF)
International Airport Reports Database
Search the database for reports submitted by corporate pilots as they travel around the globe.
International Airport Feedback Form
Submit your own feedback to be included in the International Airports Reports Database.
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