Seal Beach : Pilots Asked to Skirt Leisure World Shows

At the request of Leisure World residents, the Federal Aviation Administration is asking pilots to avoid flights over the Leisure World Amphitheater during Friday and Saturday musical variety shows.

Although the FAA action is similar to the annual request that pilots avoid the Hollywood Bowl area during performances, the Seal Beach situation is unusual because the amphitheater is directly under the final approach to a major airport--Long Beach Municipal.

James McCord, the FAA’s air traffic control manager at Long Beach, said pilots flying by visual flight rules into his airport usually can avoid the Leisure World flyover by using alternate runways. Aircraft not approaching the airport simply should stay clear, he said. However, McCord acknowledged that the airport’s instrument approach still requires jetliners to fly over the Leisure World area.

“We do what we can as a public service,” McCord said, and the FAA request to pilots is aimed mainly at recreational fliers who might be tempted to “buzz” the amphitheater or needlessly fly into the area.

The amphitheater performances are scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from July 4 through Sept. 26.