City Manager Sends Letter To Acting Administrator Elwell

Recent changes in flight patterns in southern California are causing the residents of Santa Monica to complain to the city ... so the city is complaining to the FAA.

In a letter to acting FAA administrator Daniel Elwell, Santa Monica city manager Rick Cole said that the increase in noise complaints to the city can be attributed to the Metroplex GPS procedures that carry traffic over the Santa Monica area. Cole said that the residents are reporting an "unbearable amount of noise" since the NextGen procedures were implemented.

Other cities in southern California have filed lawsuits against the FAA over the Metroplex implementation. The FAA has reached an agreement with Newport Beach, and there is ongoing litigation between the agency and Culver City, CA.

Cole said the city is requesting strict enforcement of the FAA published minimum altitude standards, including in particular above the Santa Monica VOR, unless a deviation is needed for safety; assurance that the city will be given an opportunity to participate in any discussions about flight paths and altitude assignments over the city; and assurance that any settlement agreement reached with Culver City does not affect Santa Monica.

(Source: Cole letter. Image from file)

FMI: Letter