Airports
SMO brief appeals reversal of ban
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., filed an appeal to the court injunction that precludes Santa Monica Airport (SMO) from imposing a ban on Category C and D

The city of Santa Monica, Calif., filed an appeal to the court injunction that precludes Santa Monica Airport (SMO) from imposing a ban on Category C and D airplanes using the airport. The city’s ordinance banning such airplanes, with approach speeds greater than 121 knots, is intended to reduce the risk of faster jets landing and taking off on SMO’s 4,973-foot runway, which is hemmed in by houses.

When the city tried to implement the ban on April 24, the FAA obtained an injunction preventing any further action and allowing Category C and D jets to continue operating at SMO while the agency’s administrative proceedings took place. In its appeal, the city noted, “Despite the fact that safety is its primary responsibility, the FAA has denied the City the opportunity to implement the agency’s own runway safety standards.”

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