Establish Online Letter Campaign In Advance Of July 8 Meeting

Supporters of the Santa Monica, CA airport have established an online campaign urging those concerned about a meeting July 8 between the City of Santa Monica and the FAA scheduled for July 8 to get involved by contacting members of the local Congressional delegation.

The Santa Monica Airport Association has established a presence on the website One Click Politics with a form letter that will be sent automatically to the correct representative. 

According to the website, in a letter to the City of Santa Monica, Congressional Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) and Karen Bass (D-CA-37) endorsed a 7-point plan developed by airport foes that would effectively shut down Santa Monica Airport (SMO). They have arranged the July 8 meeting between Santa Monica Mayor McKeown and a representative of the FAA in Washington, D.C.

The message that will be sent to the representatives states:

"As a voter in your district, I am writing to ask for your help in encouraging the FAA and the City of Santa Monica to work together to enable our historic 97 year-old Santa Monica Airport (SMO) to become an even safer and greener part of our local community. 

"There are three practical and sensible measures that can be  accomplished without great expenditures of time or money and would make an immediate difference in the surrounding neighborhoods.

"1) Continue to support the FAA's work on the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI). 

"This initiative, under development for over ten years, will bring unleaded fuel to all piston-powered planes. It is currently scheduled to produce final candidate fuels by the end of 2018. As neighbors and airport supporters, we want the benefits of cleaner aviation fuel at Santa Monica Airport.

"2) Support the FAA's Next-Gen initiative which will vastly reduce noise and pollution by improving the coordination of IFR departures from LAX and SMO. 

"The FAA has recently shown their visionary new procedures for Santa Monica Airport. Lauded by local residents and in editorials in our local papers, these procedures will dramatically reduce pollution and noise by nearly eliminating idling times for IFR departures and increase safety by eliminating low altitude turns after takeoff from Runway 3.  Your support for the implementation of these procedures will benefit all the surrounding neighborhoods.

"3) Facilitate discussions that results in the installation of an Engineered Materials Arrestor System (EMAS) and a safety zone at the west end of our runway. 

"Nearly 98% of all flights takeoff and land in a westerly direction and an EMAS would maximize protection for the area residents. The City and the FAA discussed EMAS and safety zones in 2008, but couldn't come to an agreement. Now is the time to finalize and implement a plan to achieve this goal in a way that is a win-win for everyone involved.

"I support our 97 year-old airport and these sensible actions that will enhance the continued operations of this important airfield. As a voter, I expect your assistance in achieving these vital improvements."

FMI: www.oneclickpolitics.com/messages/edit?promo_id=2052