No more SMO

[CWGrizwald]

So much for getting our G450 into SMO from now on, which is fine, as even the 450 is a bit big for that place.


Santa Monica Airport
Office of the Director
3223 Donald Douglas Loop South
Suite 3
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 458-8591
FAX (310) 572-4495

April 10, 2008

Re: Santa Monica Airport – Implementation of Ban on Category C and D Aircraft.

Dear Santa Monica Airport User:

On March 25, 2008 the Santa Monica City Council adopted an ordinance restricting aircraft
operations at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to aircraft designated by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as Category A and B aircraft. The Santa Monica
Airport is designed to handle such aircraft, which have approach speeds of less than 121
knots. Operations by Category C and D aircraft are prohibited by the ordinance.

The new ordinance will go into effect on April 24, 2008, after which only aircraft in the FAA
designated A & B categories will be allowed to operate at SMO. Attached for your reference
is a table explaining FAA aircraft approach speed categories. Also you can visit the
following FAA link to determine which category your aircraft falls under:
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/construction/aircraft_char_database/.

Note: In general, the new ordinance provides that, except in the case of a bona fide
emergency, no person operating a category C or D aircraft, as defined by
FAA’s standards, shall land or depart from the Santa Monica Municipal Airport
after April 23, 2008. Penalties for violation of the Ordinance include
misdemeanor prosecution with punishment of a fine not greater than One
Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than
six months, or both. The Ordinance is available for viewing at www.smgov.net
or www.santamonicaairport.org (airport website).

Users of Santa Monica Airport, who utilize fractional share aircraft, may want to consult with
their fractional share operators. As noted on their websites, the following fractional
operators allow their participants to change to aircraft in compliant categories:

Netjets: http://www.netjets.com/The NetJets Program/netjetsprogram_overview.asp
Flexjet: http://www.flexjet.com/home.html; and
Flight Options: http://www.flightoptions.com/about_overview.html


Over





I also advise that you periodically check the Santa Monica Airport’s internet site at
www.santamonicaairport.org for updates.

Sincerely

Robert D, Trimborn
Airport Director
Santa Monica Airport



FAA Designated Approach Categories



According to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13, Airport Design, an aircraft’s approach
category is based upon 1.3 times its stall speed at the aircraft’s maximum certificated
weight.

The five approach categories used are as follows:

Category A: Speed less than 91 knots
Category B: Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots
Category C: Speed 121 knots or more, but less than 141 knots
Category D: Speed 141 knots or more, but less than 166 knots
Category E: Speed greater than 166 knots

 

[Bandit60]

They have really earned their name now..Socialist Republic of Santa Monica

 

[ProFracPilot]

The Fat Lady ain't sung just yet...

Expect the FAA to litigate this move by the city. We're probably talking years before restrictions are in place.

http://www.calpilots.org/html/article.php?sid=2117

 

[lawfly]

I believe that any affected operator or operators can file a complaint against the City of Santa Monica under FAR Part 16. That is probably what will happen. It is an administrative action, decided within the FAA, with potential appellate rights in the federal courts and is based upon the obligations incumbent upon the recipients of federal airport funding. There are other possible legal challenges as well.There have been previous Part 16 cases involving SMO. This could be very interesting, from a legal perspective.

 

[LJ45]

can't bring a Learjet 45 in, but a noisy beechjet or Citation V ok ?? hmmmm

 

[400A]

can't bring a Learjet 45 in, but a noisy beechjet or Citation V ok ?? hmmmm

Still have to deal with the noise police. Though I have done it myself, the procedure to keep the Beechjet from ringing the bell is dangerous. I had a bit of a stand-off with Mario. (the noise cop)

 

[Hawker800]

Happy not to be in the FBO business there. Tough enough as is without something like this.

 

[gulfstreameric]

If we are light we can get in... except the wing .... can't taxi too far ...

 

[BeanFighter]

Just talked to Mario, according to the airport management the ban will go into effect at 0001 on the 25th.

 

[Seadogrun]

How exactly is the airport funded? Federal Dollars? Could be problems.

 

[bailey3083]

I have no faith in the FAA after they allowed Daily close Meigs. The FAA will huff and puff but thats about it. I, for one, am glad that SMO is no longer available. I hated going into that place.

 

[NCherches]

I hate SMO and SUPERMARINE... I need to keep my Citation above a 121 kts from the Final Approach fix so I can go somewhere more friendly like BUR or VNY!

 

[NCherches]

Sorry ATLANTIC... same unfriendly faces!

 

[BeanFighter]

Have to disagree, the SuperAtlantic crew has been good to me for the two years I've been stealing cookies there.

 

[bailey3083]

Have to disagree, the SuperAtlantic crew has been good to me for the two years I've been stealing cookies there.

Depends. All the girls behind the counter always acted like we were bugging them while the rampers were mad we asked for services. I think the only time I ever got good service was when I bought 1000 gallons of fuel then they couldnt wait to help.

 

[BeanFighter]

On Tuesday the SMO city attorney has responded with a "screw you" to the FAA demand of withdrawing the ban. The FAA's next expected move will be a cease and desist order.

I'd find an alternate for the next few years.

 

[400A]

On Tuesday the SMO city attorney has responded with a "screw you" to the FAA demand of withdrawing the ban. The FAA's next expected move will be a cease and desist order.

I'd find an alternate for the next few years.

This is their attitude about everything. Mario said if I rang the bell and did not respond properly that he would seize our aircraft and put me in jail.

Yep, you can't make any noise, but I would challenge you to go walk down by the pier and NOT find someone smoking dope right in the open on the sidewalk. When I saw it a Cop walked by and did nothing. I hate that place.

 

[BushwickBill]

Depends. All the girls behind the counter always acted like we were bugging them while the rampers were mad we asked for services. I think the only time I ever got good service was when I bought 1000 gallons of fuel then they couldnt wait to help.

I second that. I have always hated this airport. I've spend countless hours waiting around at Supermarine, now Atlantic with the same people. The service is bad and the gas is expensive.

This is not the only reason I don't like SMO the approach frankly sucks if there is any kind of weather, the runway is relatively short, the 11pm airport closure has nearly bitten us and the takeoff procedure isn't bad but is just another thing that can come back to haunt you if you do set off the noise alarm.

I would much rather go to VNY or BUR or LAX. All of them have precision approaches and enough runway if it is raining.

I knew this would eventually happen but I didn't think I would come so fast. Good riddance SMO!

 

[BEfly]

I'm there on a weekly basis. Sh!tty service, rude ppl, expensive gas (at least I get atlantic bucks now), no ramp space, useless approach when there's fog, looooong dalays getting out, noise police........ As a previous poster said, Good riddance.

 

[LJ45]

If we are light we can get in... except the wing .... can't taxi too far ...

What does that ^^^^ mean? An aircraft can only be in one category based on max landing weight, excluding the circling approach higher speed exception.