City buzzing with low-altitude flyovers

BARBARA DIAMOND

WHAT’S UP

Low altitude commercial airline flights over Laguna Beach

WHAT’S BEHIND IT

Flights out of John Wayne Airport take off headed out to sea until

released by the Federal Aviation Administration to turn back over

land. After the closure of the U.S. Marine Air Station at El Toro,

some commercial airliners began making the inland turn earlier,

flying over Laguna Beach at an appreciable lower altitude, which

saves time and fuel. Complaining residents were told that new

technology made the earlier release possible. In 2001, city officials

and a few concerned residents met with Federal Aviation

Administration brass to express concerns about the problem. They felt

that the noise problem resulted from a change in flight paths of

departing commercial flights heading FAA officials denied any change

in the flight paths.

Flights began shortly after 7 a.m., when John Wayne opened and

flew over Laguna at various heights and frequency. If only some of

the time, why at all, residents asked?

Concentrated complaints to the airport and to the FAA brought

temporary relief, City Manager Ken Frank said, but basically the FAA

told the city to buzz off.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman suggested boycotting airlines that

persisted in flying low over Laguna.

The city implemented technology to track the flight paths and the

airlines and presented findings to former Rep. Chris Cox. Cox went to

bat for Laguna with the FAA and the flights were abated.

WHAT NOW

A report surfaced last week that cutbacks in oil production and

fuel storage put airlines at risk of running out of fuel to keep

tanks filled and keeping schedules on time. Also in the news:

expectations that John Wayne Airport will expand, possibly adding

more airlines.

Can it be mere coincidence that the annoying flights over Laguna

resumed just about the time Cox prepared to vacate his congressional

seat to take over the chairmanship of the Securities and Exchange

Commission?

WHAT’S SAID

“We are really going to miss Chris,” said City Councilwoman Cheryl

Kinsman.

Bluebird Canyon resident Mary Fegraus said she had called both

John Wayne Airport and the FAA to no avail.

“I am so irritated,” Fegraus said.

North Laguna resident Carita Knapp said,” Every time I get my

windows clean they get dirty again from the jet fuel dripping on

them. The flights are right over our heads.”

WHAT’S NEXT

People who are disturbed by the low-altitude commercial flights

should call the John Wayne noise abatement number, (949) 252-5185,

and the FAA Noise Hotline for the Western Region at (310) 725-3638,

or write the FAA Regional Administrator, P.O. Box 92007, Los Angeles

CA, 90009.

The more, the better.

“Short of a ground swell of public opposition, I don’t think we

will get far,” Frank has said. “The mayor, the city manager and 10

people won’t help.”

Commercial flight information, including take-off time, altitude

and destination, can be tracked at o7www.ocair.comf7.