Older Jet Phase Out Ordinance Passes City Committee

The Los Angeles City Council’s Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee has recommended phasing out older jets at Van Nuys Airport to cut down on noise from aircraft operations. The ordinance now goes before the full council for a vote. The Airport Board of Commissioners last May recommended passage of the ordinance and sent it on to the council for final action. The committee is made up of council members Janice Hahn, Bill Rosendahl and Tom LaBonge. None of the three represent districts in the San Fernando Valley. The ordinance sets noise limits at the airport for departing aircraft beginning with jets with a noise level of 85 decibels. By or after Jan. 1, 2016 no aircraft can operate at Van Nuys at more than 77 decibels save for certain exceptions. About 24 aircraft based at the airport plus an unknown number of itinerant jets would be subject to the ban. Prohibiting older jet (or Stage 2) aircraft is intended to reduce overall noise levels around the Valley airfield and create an incentive to retire the older aircraft or modify them with a hushkit. Opposing the proposal are the Valley Industry & Commerce Association and the National Business Aviation Association. Representatives from VICA attended the committee meeting to speak out against the planned phase out. Mark R. Madler