City Brief Says FAA Wrong about SMO Limits

By Matt Thurber

September 2, 2008
Airports

The city of Santa Monica, Calif., expects that the next step in its ongoing battle over runway restrictions at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) will be oral arguments later this year or early next year. Last week the city filed a reply brief in the Ninth Circuit court challenging the preliminary injunction and FAA interim cease-and-desist order, which prevented the city from implementing a ban on category C and D aircraft operations at the airport.

The city believes that safety will be enhanced if jets with approach speeds that exceed 121 knots are not allowed to use the airport, which is located in a dense residential area. “Despite the fact that safety is its primary responsibility,” the brief noted, “the FAA has denied the City the opportunity to implement the agency’s own runway safety standards.

SMO’s situation is unique, the city argued, and because the FAA “has acted outside the scope of its authority and in derogation of the City’s proprietary and Tenth Amendment rights, the interim orders and the preliminary injunction should be overturned.

Back

Abu Dhabi Renames Private Jet Airport November 17, 2008 The UAE capital’s new dedicated private jet airport has been renamed City Airport Abu Dhabi as part of its overhaul and transformation from its... [more]
ExcelAire Receives London City Legacy Approval November 16, 2008 ExcelAire (Stand Nos. 908/200) has received UK Civil Aviation Authority approval to operate its Embraer Legacy 600s into London City Airport... [more]
Van Nuys Noisy Phaseout Could Bolster BUR Traffic November 11, 2008 A draft environmental impact report for Van Nuys (Calif.) Airport’s “Noisier Aircraft Phaseout” project suggests that most aircraft might divert... [more]
EFB Maker Paperless Cockpit Closes Its Doors November 06, 2008 Owners of electronic flight bag (EFB) portable computers sold by Paperless Cockpit are searching for alternative vendors after the Tennessee... [more]
Chicago Votes To Sell Midway Airport Lease November 01, 2008 Midway International Airport is one step closer to becoming the nation’s first privately operated major airport, following last month’s vote by... [more]