By Lookout Staff

May 6, 2010 --The City announced on Wednesday that it intends to “aggressively pursue all avenues for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a full environmental impact study” of any permanent changes to rules regarding small planes, specifically those that are single engine, piston-powered.

The City also lashed out the FAA for not properly contacting Santa Monica prior to beginning a six-month test on flight departures and patterns that some residents complained has led to increased noise and disturbances.

The FAA in December began a 180-day test of modified departure procedures for single-engine aircraft to determine whether it will reduce delays at Santa Monica Airport and LAX. Included in this test was requiring the planes to use a different route that took them over the pier and a local neighborhood. The FAA did not notify the City or the residents through a formal briefing prior to beginning testing, City officials said.

“The City will not accept such disregard of the City and its residents in the future,” a press release issued by the City stated.

The press release also stated, “City staff is in continuous contact with the FAA over the negative impacts resulting from the test procedures and has repeatedly emphasized the City's dissatisfaction with the FAA's conduct to date. The City has informed the FAA of the numerous complaints that the test has caused and that their failure to involve the community has exacerbated resident concerns.”

The test is expected to conclude on June 8. City staff will provide the Airport Commission and City Council with recommendations on how to proceed, including regulatory and legal options, following the completion of the test.

The City is encouraging the public to contact Santa Monica Airport staff at 310-458-8692 to discuss the proposed change and to report noise complaints.