WHAT’S UP: JWA noise problems continue to take flight

WHAT: Low commercial flights over Laguna.

WHAT’S BEHIND IT: Flights out of John Wayne Airport take off to sea until released by the Federal Aviation Administration to turn back overland. After 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 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 citizens met with FAA 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. Residents asked: If only some of the time, why at all?

The city implemented technology to track the flight paths, then-Congressman Christopher Cox went to bat for Laguna with the FAA, and the flights were abated.

But periodically, the airlines lower the boom on Laguna.

The public’s complaints to the airport and to the FAA bring at least temporary relief. Mayor Iseman has suggested boycotting airlines that persisted in flying low over Laguna.

WHAT NOW: They’re back. Some are low enough that the airline name is legible to the naked eye. Iseman asked the public at the Aug. 4 council meeting to keep those eyes peeled for offenders.

WHAT’S SAID: “I have been getting phone calls about it,” Iseman said, “The most recent was from someone at Top of the World who has lived there a long time and said it’s much worse now.

“We are asking you to keep track of the flights so we can figure out who is doing it.”

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, 90009.

The more, the better, city officials say.

Commercial flight information, including take-off time, altitude and destination, can be tracked at www.ocair.com.

“” Barbara Diamond