VAN NUYS : Critics Fault Airport Noise Improvements

The Van Nuys Airport is expanding its system for monitoring aircraft noise levels, but residents say it does not go far enough to reduce the annoying buzz of airplanes and helicopters over their homes.

Robert Beard, noise-management manager for the Los Angeles Department of Airports, said the mostly complete, $1.3-million expansion of the airport’s noise monitoring system is allowing the facility to track large airplanes’ flight paths and identify their type and ownership, in addition to measuring their noise levels.

On Monday night, Beard and other airport officials explained the new system’s capabilities to an advisory group--made up of homeowners, pilots and members of the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council--that is concerned with noise issues.

The system’s four new computers will enable the airport to identify which aircraft are violating the rule stating that they cannot exceed 74 decibels of noise. Beard said that another department is devising ways to enforce the rule, and that “a letter could be written” to the owner of a transgressing plane or helicopter.

The expansion is part of a $2.3-million, comprehensive revamping of the noise monitoring systems at three airports--Van Nuys, Los Angeles International Airport and Ontario International Airport.

Beard said the system, which he described as 75% operational, has limits. According to the official, it will only be able to identify large airplanes, not small airplanes and helicopters.

Mike Mack, president of the West Van Nuys Homeowners Assn., said he was glad that residents calling the airport’s noise hot line will no longer have to provide the offending aircraft’s identification number and flight path when lodging a complaint, but voiced concern about what he called a lack of enforcement provisions.

“There are no penalties for aircraft that deviate from the aircraft flight regulations,” he said.