NBAA Applauds FAA Decision

Shelley A. Longmuir, president of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), commended the FAA for its landmark decision holding unlawful the ban on Stage 2 aircraft operations at Naples Municipal Airport (FL). "This decision is significant for the entire aviation community, not just business aviation," said Longmuir. "By reaffirming the purposes underlying the relevant legislation, and by recognizing that business aviation is a good neighbor, the decision goes a long way to ensuring the sanctity of the National Airspace System."

The ban on the operation of Stage 2 business jets was imposed by the Naples Airport Authority in 2002. The Authority took the position that it could ban the aircraft if residences might be affected within the 60 decibel noise contour, even though the FAA regards the 65 decibel contour as the outer limit of noncompatible uses. FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Woodie Woodward held that "if an airport could designate any noncompatibility threshold simply based on local government determinations... it could designate noncompatibility thresholds of 60, 55, or lower, effectively closing airports and severely crippling the nation’s air transport system."

"We look forward to working with the Naples Airport Authority and all other airports in continuing to minimize aircraft noise," stated Longmuir. "The effect of this decision is to make it clear to airport operators that, for their part, they need to comply with Federal law." She also thanked NBAA Members for being diligent in the field and alert to actions that compromise our nation’s airports, as well as the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, who joined NBAA in its briefs, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Air Transport Association and Regional Airlines Association, each of whom filed separate briefs.

FMI: http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/airports/apf; http://www1.faa.gov/region/aea/noise/framedoc.htm