Torrance OKs Airport Curfew Similar to Van Nuys Curbs

In a dispute similar to one at Van Nuys Airport, Torrance residents who live under the flight pattern of the city’s municipal airport have successfully lobbied the City Council to increase the hours of the airport’s takeoff curfew.

Council members voted unanimously to ban takeoffs after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m. on weekdays and before 8 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Previously, the city had banned departures between 11 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. daily. Landings may take place at any time.

Anti-noise homeowner groups succeeded in imposing a similar curfew, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., on Van Nuys Airport years ago, but it applies only to planes rated as producing more than 74 decibels of noise on takeoff--primarily older business jets. Police, fire department, military and medical ambulance flights are exempted.

Expanding Curfew

Some San Fernando Valley anti-noise activists have been trying recently to extend the Van Nuys curfew to more aircraft.

In Torrance, pilots who fly certain quieter aircraft may apply for special permits that allow takeoffs during the curfew in “life-or-death” emergencies and for pressing business needs.

“It takes just one loud noise over your home to wake you up,” Mayor Katy Geissert said. There are “far more people . . . affected by that” than there are pilots and members of the airport community who will be affected by the curfew change, she said.

The council decision came despite an Airport Commission recommendation against any change and recommendations by the transportation and building and safety departments for more lenient action.

Change Rejected

Airport commissioners voted 4 to 2 in June not to change the curfew. The Transportation Department had recommended extending the morning curfew from 6:30 to 7 a.m., whereas building and safety officials recommended the 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. change. The two departments later compromised to recommend a 7 a.m. weekday and 8 a.m. weekend curfew, leaving the night curfew time unchanged.

Pilots and business owners at the airport complained that the tighter rules would sap the vitality of an already weak airport.

“Even though it doesn’t seem like much for the airport people to give up, it really is. The airport already is on the skids,” said Ted Stinis, spokesman for the Torrance Area Pilots Assn.

The council noted that the new rules will bring Torrance Municipal Airport’s curfew rules in line with those at other airports in the area, including Santa Monica and John Wayne.