Including Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Other Valley Communities
LATEST UPDATES
FAA RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - In December 2023, the FAA released its long-awaited draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the flight path changes at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). See FAA's Supplemental Graphics here. See SCFQS Newsletter here. Read Congressman Sherman's response letter here.
LA GETS A "WIN" IN BUR TERMINAL CASE - In its March 29, 2023 decision, the Ninth Circuit directed the “FAA to address the deficiency in its construction noise analysis, the resulting deficiency in its cumulative impacts analysis, and the resulting deficiency in its environmental impacts analysis.” Though a partial win, it will delay construction of BUR’s new terminal.
TWO BUR NEAR MISS COLLISIONS IN 3O DAYS! - On February 22, 2023, there was a near miss collision on Runway 15/33 that made headlines in countless national and local news broadcasts and articles, including the likes of NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, The Wall Street Journal, and the LA Times, all citing “Two planes nearly collide at Hollywood Burbank Airport.” BUR now has the distinction of being one of the latest airports contributing to the recent spike in near miss collisions. See some of the coverage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/close-call-at-airport-near-los-angeles-under-investigation-7c34244c; https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/3902294-here-are-7-airport-runway-close-calls-just-this-year/; https://ktla.com/news/local-news/near-crash-at-hollywood-burbank-airport-prompts-faa-investigation-latest-in-string-of-such-incidents/;
https://bestlifeonline.com/news-passenger-planes-collisions-faa-safety-alert/
Another near-miss occurred at BUR on Saturday, March 18! See: https://simpleflying.com/near-collision-hollywood-burbank-airport-march-2023/; https://abc7.com/burbank-airport-close-call-faa-southwest/12985867/; https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-aircraft-narrowly-avoided-collision-weekend-faa-says-days-safety-s-rcna75785
NEW LETTER FROM FAA - In a letter to Representative Sherman dated 10/24/22, the FAA states that preparation of the draft Environmental Assessment is “ongoing” and did not provide a timeline for completion. FAA also rejected six BUR Task Force recommendations but noted that the Agency remains “committed to working with the airport and communities.” Read the letter here.
BUR MISUSED INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS - BUR used Federal Infrastructure Funds to provide BUR/FAA attorneys with technical support to fight Los Angeles’s lawsuit against the BUR Replacement Terminal Project. This federal funding is meant to be used for building infrastructure. BUR’s use of taxpayer money to fight the terminal lawsuit (that alleges the project’s environmental defects) is inappropriate and directly counters the intent behind the federal funds. Read the article here.
BUR TO CONDUCT NOISE STUDY PER TASK FORCE - BUR will receive $805,900 in federal infrastructure grants to conduct a Part 150 noise compatibility planning study for neighborhoods near the airport. BUR is conducting the noise study per Task Force recommendations but it will not help those communities intended to benefit from the Task Force miles south of the airport, like Studio City. Part 150 typically only studies noise in areas immediately surrounding the runways so those further south dramatically impacted by the noise and pollution will be excluded. Read the article here.
CITY ATTORNEY WRITES LETTER TO BUR TO CEASE PLANNING OF NEW TERMINAL - The City Attorney states that "the Authority should refrain from awarding contracts or committing funds relating to the Project during the pendency of the City of Los Angeles’ legal challenge." The letter further says that if the "Court rules that the FAA failed to comply with federal environmental law, the City will seek an order halting all activities aimed at implementing the Project." Read the City Attorney's Letter here.
REP SHERMAN WRITES LETTER TO BIDEN AND BUTTIGIEG - In response to FAA Administrator Dickson stepping down at the end of March, Rep. Sherman asks "that the [Biden] Administration takes significant steps to nominate a new FAA Administrator that will address the issue of aviation noise and other impacts from aviation." He also states that, "it is critical that the Department of Transportation and the new Administrator of the FAA take the health and safety concerns of the public seriously and take immediate action to address public concerns. Read the Sherman Letter here.
COURT DENIES CITY OF LA'S LAWSUIT AGAINST FAA RE BUR FLIGHT PATHS - For more information please see Studio City For Quiet Skies latest e-Blast here. To read the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision, click here. To read an article from Courthouse News Service, click here.
VAN NUYS AIRPORT REDESIGN IS MOVING FORWARD - LAWA announced that the VNY Redesign is moving forward. If VNY aircraft are not vectored early, they will be on a trajectory toward the Studio City hillsides. Studio City For Quiet Skies has asked LAWA/FAA to include specific modifications to protect Studio City. It should take 18-24 months for the VNY Redesign to be completed.
THE CITY OF LA IS SUING RE BURBANK AIRPORT NEW TERMINAL - City Attorney Mike Feuer announced today that the City will sue the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alleging deficiencies in the environmental review process for the proposed replacement passenger terminal at Burbank Airport. Read Press Release here. Read article here. Read the City's Opening Brief here and First Amended Petition here.
Read also the Community Update Letter from Councilmembers Krekorian, Koretz, and Ramen memorializing their actions re BUR including three lawsuits filed by the LA City Attorney. Read Community Update Letter here.
THE NES STUDY represents reliable evidence that “substantially more people are highly annoyed by aircraft noise exposure than in the past.”
Thank you to Rep. Sherman for his comment on the NES. Read his comment here.
Thank you Councilmembers Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz, and Nithya Raman for the City of Los Angeles Comment on the NES. Read their comment here.
46 Community Groups throughout the country representing residents harmed by jet noise, including STUDIO CITY FOR QUIET SKIES, submitted a comment to refute a comment by airline lobbyist, Airlines for America (A4A). A4A made many false and misleading claims displaying their continued disregard for residents impacted by life altering aircraft noise, and pushed for the continuation of the status quo by opposing meaningful change to antiquated noise policy. Read the airline lobbyist, A4A Comment here. Read 46 Community Groups' Comment here.
Read STUDIO CITY FOR QUIET SKIES Comment here.
REP. SHERMAN AND COMMUNITY GROUPS LOBBY NEW ADMINISTRATION -
Rep. Sherman wrote a letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging him to “seek substantial reform at the FAA” and find “an immediate solution that will reduce unacceptable aircraft noise and other aviation impacts for residents of the San Fernando Valley and for other communities.” Rep. Sherman references a letter to Secretary Buttigieg from community noise organizations around the country that includes Studio City For Quiet Skies. Read Sherman letter here and Community Group letter to Sec. Buttigieg here.
REPLACEMENT TERMINAL DRAFT EIS - Comments are now due by Tuesday October 27, 2020. Please go to BUR Expansion page for comment instructions. LA City Council passed a Motion for the City Attorney to request that the FAA extend the comment period to 120 DAYS so that relevant City departments could review the DEIS and comment on potential impacts of the Terminal Project on the City of LA. The City Attorney submitted the request letter. FAA only granted a 3-week extension. Read the motion here. Read the City Attorney's announcement and letter here. Read the Daily News article here.
TASK FORCE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS - Read them here. And read FAA Response Letter.
FEDERAL DELEGATION WRITES LETTER TO FAA - Asks FAA to take specific steps
TASK FORCE VOTES - Visit Task Force Page and Newsletter for details.
FINAL MEETING TASK FORCE #7 SCHEDULED AS VIRTUAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH & 7TH, 6:00-9:30PM - Visit Task Force Page for details.
TASK FORCE #7 POSTPONED INDEFINITELY - Date to be determined due to COVID-19.
WRITE TO FEDERAL REPS RE AIRLINE BAILOUT - Ask that there be conditions for community relief with any bailout funds. To send a prewritten letter to Federal Reps PLEASE CLICK HERE. Update: Bailout included nothing for communities.
LA CITY ATTORNEY FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST FAA OVER BUR FLIGHT PATHS! - L.A. City Attorney, Mike Feuer, filed a lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals against the FAA seeking to correct the southern movement in flight tracks that had not been environmentally reviewed.
See City Attorney's Press Conference here.
Read the Lawsuit here and FOIA Lawsuit here.
LAWSUIT PRESS: See LA Times article here.
See Daily News article here. See The Patch article here.
See NBC coverage here.
See ABC Coverage here. See CBS Coverage here
MOTION INTRODUCED TO FUND LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FAA - Councilmember Krekorian says FAA's response to City Attorney's Cease and Desist letter is "wholly inadequate" and introduces a "motion to fund legal action by our outside counsel to protect the rights of the City, and its residents." Read the Letter here.
LAKE ARROWHEAD TO GET A QUICK FIX! - FAA to revert to old flight path without doing an Environmental Assessment. See news report here.
CONGRESSIONAL QUIET SKIES CAUCUS SEEKS ANSWERS FROM FAA - Congress met with new FAA Administrator, Stephen Dickson, and followed up with a list of questions.
Read the Letter here.
LA CITY COUNCIL PASSES MOTION TO SECURE CONSULTANT - Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday in favor of hiring an independent expert to address community concerns about noise from flight paths at the Hollywood-Burbank and Van Nuys airports. Read the Motion here and the Committee Report here.
CITY ATTORNEY DEMANDS FAA RETURN TO PRE-NEXTGEN FLIGHT PATHS WITHIN 30 DAYS - City Attorney Feuer wrote two letters to the FAA on October 18, 2019. The first letter demands that the FAA rectify the southern shift of departing aircraft by directing ATC to instruct "pilots to follow the flight tracks that were established prior to the Metroplex project" within 30 days. Read Cease and Desist Letter here. The second letter requests "that FAA establish a formal and open scoping process for the Proposed Procedures environmental assessment." It further recommends public participation, actual noise measurement, and alternative procedures. Read Scoping Letter here.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WILL TAKE 2 YEARS! - The FAA has just announced that the Environmental Assessment that they announced back in March 2019 (studying the Proposed Procedures that our communities roundly rejected over a year ago) will start soon and will take at least TWO YEARS to complete! We cannot wait 2+ YEARS for relief. The Task Force must concentrate on IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS! Our communities will not stand for two more years! See FAA Announcement here.
FAA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT FLIGHTS OUT OF BUR HAVE MOVED SOUTH - In a meeting on July 30 between the FAA, elected officials, BUR, LAWA, several airlines and airline lobbyists, the FAA admitted that the flight path moved south over our communities, but claims not to know why. The FAA also stated that the Environmental Analysis process for the proposed procedures will begin at the end of September and could take 18 to 24 months. For a summary, read the LA Times Article here.
SECRET DISCOVERED - Although Burbank Airport Staff and Commissioners have spent several years appearing mystified by flight path changes that moved Burbank Airport’s departures over Studio City and other Santa Monica Mountain communities – and although they have repeatedly denied that NextGen was responsible for the devastating changes that have decimated our schools, homes, neighborhoods, and public parkland – The change in flight path and the anticipated effects on our communities were known to both the Airport and the FAA all the way back in 2015!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE (new link)
READ STUDIO CITY FOR QUIET SKIES FULL COMMENT HERE
BUR COMMISSION ASKS FAA FOR INTERIM RELIEF FOR COMMUNITY - In response to community outrage at the 7/15/19 Commission Meeting, the Airport Authority requested "that the FAA take action in the interim to ensure that the historical flight procedures/flight patterns are used by aircraft operators at the Airport while the EA is prepared and the Noise Task Force completes its work." Read the letter here.
BUR UPDATE RE ROUNDTABLE NOW RENAMED "TASK FORCE" - The newly named "Task Force will be comprised of 6 monthly meetings beginning in September 2019. Community group leaders have been excluded. Read the letter here.
CITY OF LA SUES FAA RE LAX ARRIVAL PATH - The City seeks a court order compelling the FAA to complete an environmental review of the changes to three LAX flight arrival patterns, including taking comments from residents. Read the Petition here. The City Attorney's office also lays out the steps they are taking to relieve impacts on San Fernando Valley residents. Read City Attorney's press release here.
CONGRESSMAN SHERMAN AND MORE THAN 2 DOZEN HOUSE MEMBERS CALL FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE FAA'S FAILURE TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NOISE CONCERNS - Read Congressman Sherman's press release here. Read the letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) here
BURBANK AIRPORT BOAC PASSES RESOLUTION - The Commissioners passed a Resolution urging the FAA to "implement alternative dispersal headings and optimize ascent for departing the Airport in order to achieve an equitable distribution of impacts on affected communities." Read SCFQS 6/18 Newsletter for details here. See KTLA coverage here. BUR wants City of LA to help push FAA to move path. Write to your elected officials. Click here for a downloadable word document with a list of emails and a sample letter that you can easily copy/paste
COUNCILMEMBER KREKORIAN AND HUNDREDS OF OUTRAGED CITIZENS SHOW UP TO BURBANK AIRPORT BOAC MEETING ON JUNE 3, 2019 - BUR Commissioners and Executives ADMIT THE FLIGHT PATH CHANGED even as FAA fails to acknowledge change (see latest FAA letter by Raquel Girvin below). Watch the meeting here. KTLA News 5 and ABC7 covered the story. See KTLA link here and KABC7 link here
LATEST LETTER FROM RAQUEL GIRVIN OF FAA - States that residents are under a "misconception" and that, “The FAA does not believe that the implementation of (Burbank Airport) satellite-based routes had any effects in areas close to the airport, including Sherman Oaks and Studio City.” Read the letter here
NEW CITY OF LA MOTION DATED MAY 8, 2019 TO EXPLORE HIRING AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO ADDRESS FLIGHT PATH IMPACTS ON LA RESIDENTS - Read the Motion signed by Councilmembers Ryu, Krekorian, and Koretz here
CITY OF LA DEMANDS FAA RESPONSE TO CITY'S FOIA APPEAL - Read City Attorney Feuer and Councilmember Krekorian letter dated May 13, 2019 here
FAA DELAYS CONSIDERATION OF BURBANK AIRPORT'S SECTION 175 REQUEST FOR 12 to 18 MONTHS WHILE PERFORMING EA. FAA FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE CURRENT ILLEGITIMATE PATH - Letter from Acting Administrator Elwell to BUR states FAA will consider "comments regarding the feasibility of dispersal heading or other lateral track variations during the EA process." Read letter dated March 27, 2019 and just released by BUR here
CITY LETTER DEMANDS OF FAA, "WHAT STEPS WILL THE FAA TAKE TO ADDRESS CURRENT NOISE CONCERNS" - Read joint letter, signed by City Attorney, Mayor, and Councilmembers, dated April 4, 2019 here
FAA CALLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS - SENATOR FEINSTEIN AND REP. SHERMAN CALL FOR IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO CURRENT PROBLEM - EA could take 12-18 months -let all elected representatives know that this is not acceptable! We need immediate relief! Read FAA letter here and FAA announcement here. Read Senator Feinstein's comment here. Read Rep. Sherman's comment here
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION CALLS FOR WORKING GROUP WITH FAA - Our elected Federal Officials (Senators Feinstein/Harris, Reps. Sherman/Schiff) demand that the FAA address the impacts of aviation noise in the San Fernando Valley, pointing out the unprecedented groundswell of complaints and public controversy over relocated flight paths. Read letter dated March 21, 2019 here
LAWA AND BUR AIRPORT AUTHORITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO CORRECT NOISE PROBLEM ARISING FROM BUR AND VNY - According to LAWA, air noise is a major issue that they are taking very seriously. They are determined to find a solution that works for all
BUR NEW TERMINAL PUBLIC MEETING "CHARRETTE WORKSHOPS" GOING ON NOW -
For more details regarding Terminal Expansion and Charrettes, click here
CITY ATTORNEY MIKE FEUER CONFIRMS THAT CITY OF LA HAS POSITIONED ITSELF TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FAA - He spoke to a standing room only crowd at the SOHA Meeting on 3/20/19. Discussed the cumulative impacts from BUR and VNY and the untenable air noise situation in our communities.
NEWS ALERT: SENATORS CALL ON FAA TO INVESTIGATE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES -Southwest Airlines are pressuring their mechanics to ignore safety issues! Read this explosive story and watch the news segments here and here. Southwest flies their 155,000 pound aircraft over our hillsides approximately 100 times per day and now their mechanics are encouraged to ignore safety protocol! How long before a crash and catastrophic wildfire? Mechanics state "We don't take planes out of service for trivial, cosmetic reasons." FAA concerned about safety of airline. Read it here
PAUL KREKORIAN COMMENTS ON BUR TERMINAL EXPANSION - Insists FAA study all cumulative effects of terminal on L.A. areas under flight path. Calls out FAA on fake growth projections. Reminds FAA of requirement to involve L.A. agencies, officials, and communities. DON'T LEAVE L.A. OUT! Read it here
CHANGE THE FLIGHT PATH OR STOP THE TERMINAL PETITION
Sign our important New Petition here
CITY OF LA APPEALS FAA'S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) DETERMINATION - See Appeal dated 2/20/19 here
BURBANK AIRPORT SENDS SECTION 175 LETTER - Tells FAA to move the path under Section 175 of FAA Reauthorization Act. First airport in the country to try legislation
CITY PASSES TWO RESOLUTIONS REGARDING BUR - oppose flight paths here, and to use FAA Reauthorization Act Section 175 to move paths here
CITY PASSES RESOLUTION AND AMENDMENT REGARDING VNY- to use FAA Reauthorization Act Section 175 to move path. Read VNY Resolution here. The Amendment makes sure that BUR issues are addressed at the same time. Read VNY Amendment here
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY SENDS LETTER TO FAA - To move path
NEW LEGISLATION AIMED AT AIR NOISE/POLLUTION ON THE HORIZON - Goal of the bill: "collect data that could lead to a class action lawsuit." Read Boston Herald article here
REVEALED - BENEDICT HILLS NOISE DEAL PUTS WAYPOINTS OVER VALLEY SCHOOLS
Yielding to political pressure, the FAA has made public details of its air noise settlement with the residents of Benedict Hills. The ten-page legal document – read it in full here – shows that the deal, to keep planes north of Mulholland Drive, resulted in the FAA's two highly controversial proposed new departure procedures for Hollywood Burbank Airport, including waypoints almost directly over schools
REPS SPEAK OUT - Congressman Brad Sherman blasts FAA for "negative impact" on quality of life, cutting short public meeting; calls for Environmental Review Process, longer comment period; suggests Burbank departures take "eastern heading"
CITY LAWSUIT - LA City Council passes motion to prepare litigation strategy
FAA COMMENTS - City of LA, conservation groups, politicians, homeowners' orgs
and others inundate FAA portal with objections to flight paths as comments on Categorical Exclusion close; read a selection of official letters below. To read Categorical Exclusion and other relevant FAA documents and announcements, click HERE.
City of LA: Letter 1 , Letter 2, and Letter 3
California State Senator Bob Hertzberg
Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Studio City Neighborhood Council
Federation of Hillside and Canyon Associations, Inc.
BURBANK MEETING - Study published, proves NextGen has hammered Studio City, surrounding areas, amid outpouring of anger from residents, parents... president of Airport Authority says situation is only going to "get worse"
BACKGROUND BRIEFING - A national Quiet Skies movement gathers momentum...