Checking in on low-flying planes

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 making the inland turn earlier,

flying over Laguna Beach at an appreciably lower altitude, 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. But nothing really

changed.

The flights disappear, usually after a barrage of complaints, and

then begin again, increasing when no or few complaints are filed.

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

and will fly over Laguna at various altitudes and frequency.

WHAT NOW:

In June, Congressman Christopher Cox (R 47th District) wrote to

FAA Regional Administrator William C. Withycombe asking if some

relief was not possible. He got the same response as residents and

officials, basically, buzz off.

Congressmen are a tad less inclined to accept snubs than folks

with less clout.

After receiving Withycombe’s response, Cox organized a meeting

between City Manager Ken Frank and John Wayne Airport Noise Abatement

Manager Eric Freed.

Freed provided documentation of a significant increase in low

level commercial flights -- more than twice as many under the

elevation level of 7,000 feet -- over Laguna Beach since the air base

closed, according to a second letter from Cox to Withycombe, dated

July 27.

WHAT’S SAID:

“There is clear evidence that there are more lower altitude

flights at present than there were prior to the closing of the El

Toro Marine Base,” said Frank. “Hopefully this [Cox] letter will

result in some positive changes by the FAA.”

WHAT’S NEXT:

In light of the additional information, Cox requested a further

review of his original request. He also offered to host a meeting

between Withycombe and city officials at the congressman’s Newport

Beach office, to discuss possible steps that could be taken.

Meantime, 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