Real feedback required for real low-altitude problem

Capt. Todd Thornton

As the sole commercial airport in Orange County, John Wayne Airport

provides critical transportation and economic benefits to our region.

Being surrounded by noise-sensitive communities, the airport has had

to balance increasing travel demands with environmentally sensitive

operations. For nearly 20 years, the airport has operated under a

curfew, capacity limitations and a strict aircraft noise abatement

procedure. These elements are part of the Settlement Agreement and

Access Plan of 1985. Recent modifications to this agreement will

increase the number of commercial flights while maintaining the

curfew.

At John Wayne commercial aircraft fly the noise-abatement

departure, maintaining a 175-degree heading at the conclusion of the

procedure. Airliners maintain this southerly flight track until

controllers instruct the pilots to turn away from the noise abatement

heading. Flights are under radar-control by the Federal Aviation

Administration’s Southern California Tracon facility in San Diego

County. The problem arises when flights are issued this eastbound

turn prematurely, often at the Newport Beach coastline. This causes

aircraft to fly over Laguna Beach at relatively low altitudes,

sometimes below 6,000 feet, while using a climb thrust which is

louder than the noise abatement power setting. Many homes in Laguna

Beach and neighboring Laguna Niguel are located on coastal hills

between 600 and 1,100 feet above sea level.

In Laguna Beach, noise complaints have been on the rise for

several years. This aircraft noise is the result of departing

aircraft crossing the Laguna coastline as they climb eastbound to

cruise altitude. The closure of El Toro Marine Air Base and airspace

changes are contributing factors. In 2001 concerned residents and

Laguna Beach city officials met with regional Federal Aviation

Administration authorities.

Many Lagunans have noted commercial planes flying lower over their

neighborhoods since air operations were discontinued at El Toro. They

have reviewed over-flight maps, met with airport officials and

conducted their own visual and audio observations. The entire Laguna

Beach City Council and Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson have

independently corroborated their findings. As Southern California

Tracon issues earlier turn instructions, planes fly over Laguna Beach

at lower altitudes and more noise is heard in homes, schools and

businesses. The majority of noise complaints received by the Laguna

Beach City Council concern flights between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m.

Although Southern California airspace is exceptionally busy and

complex, the aviation administration should review possible

mitigating measures to reduce noise over Laguna Beach. In particular,

its technical staff should analyze changing Tracon procedure to

require departing planes to maintain their 175-degree heading over

the Pacific Ocean several miles before any turns to the east are

issued. This would place airliners at higher altitudes when crossing

back over the coastline and our city, thereby lowering the noise

impact to the community.

The aviation administration needs to hear from federal office

holders such as our congressman and senators, along with concerned

citizens. I encourage all Lagunans to e-mail Rep. Christopher Cox,

Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Dianne Feinstein. E-mail addresses are:

christopher.cox@mail.

house.gov; [email protected]; [email protected].

Numbers are important, so do call in complaints to the John Wayne

Access and Noise office at (949) 252-5185.

* TODD THORNTON is a Captain for United Airlines, and lives in

Laguna Beach.