Low rumble overhead

WHAT: Low-altitude commercial airline flights over Laguna.

WHAT’S BEHIND IT: Flights out of John Wayne Airport take off

headed out to sea until released by the Federal Aeronautics

Administration to turn back over land. Following the closure of the

U.S. Marine Air Base at El Toro, some commercial airliners began

flying over Laguna Beach at an appreciably lower altitude, making the

inland turn earlier, which saves time and fuel. Residents were told

that new technology made the earlier release possible.

City officials and residents complained to the Federal Aviation

Administration and to the noise complaint office at John Wayne

Airport. They were told that flight patterns had not been altered.

FAA officials met with some residents at a Bluebird Canyon home in

2002 and later invited them to visit the FAA headquarters in San

Diego County, which controls flight patterns.

There is no pattern to the low flights. They disappear, usually

after a barrage of complaints and then begin again, increasing when

no or few complaints are filed.

Flights begin shortly after 7 a.m., when John Wayne opens, and fly

over Laguna at various heights and frequency.

WHAT NOW: Mayor Cheryl Kinsman and City Manager Ken Frank appealed

to Congressman Christopher Cox for support in their quest to convince

the FAA to stop the low flights.

WHAT’S SAID: “Tonight we received a [copy of] a letter he wrote to

the FAA,” Kinsman reported April 6 at the City Council meeting. “It

should carry some weight. We owe him a big thanks. This is sticking

his neck out.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Volunteers are welcomed. People who are annoyed by

the low flights can call the John Wayne noise abatement number,

252-5185, and the FAA Noise Hotline for the Western Region at (310)

725-3638, or write FAA Regional Administrator, P.O. Box 92007, Los

Angeles Ca., 90009.

-- Barbara Diamond