Panel Seeks to Restrict Helicopter Takeoffs

Calling for more stringent efforts to reduce noise at Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles airport commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking to extend a curfew, block any increase in noisier jets based at the field and extend curfew limitations to helicopters.

The restrictions, which Mayor Richard Riordan asked the commission for last week, would require approval by the Federal Aviation Administration, followed by lengthy hearings and City Council approval--a process expected to take months.

City officials and residents applauded the action, however, as a significant step in addressing airport noise issues that have roared on for decades.

The most dramatic step to reduce noise lies in the proposal to require helicopters to remain grounded during the curfew period between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The curfew, which now begins at 11 p.m., currently applies to the noisier jets at the airport.

Currently, Van Nuys is home to most of the dozens of helicopters used for news and traffic reports throughout Southern California. Neighbors have long complained of the daily predawn roar as the helicopters take to the sky beginning around 4:30 a.m. to report on morning commute traffic.

“This is undertaking a fairly dramatic action to resolve some of the noise issues at Van Nuys,” said Jack Driscoll, executive director of the city Department of Airports.

The commission on Tuesday was scheduled to discuss a proposed master plan for Van Nuys, to be used to establish land-use and development guidelines over the next 20 years. However, because of extensive public interest in the plan--particularly complaints about aircraft noise--the period for public comment has been extended until April 15.

Airport officials recommended Tuesday that the commission take up the noise issues raised by the mayor last week.

“The Van Nuys master plan process clearly pointed out the problems with the noise issues, and we saw no reason to push the Van Nuys master plan forward until these noise issues could be addressed,” Driscoll told commissioners and a small group of spectators.

Two of the measures approved Tuesday--beginning the curfew at 10 p.m. instead of 11, and limiting the number of jets in the noisiest class that can be based at the airport--had previously been endorsed by the commission. No further action was taken, however, after FAA officials indicated they would object to the changes unless the city presents evidence to back its requests.

The proposal to limit operational hours of helicopters, although long-sought by residents, is a new action by the commission. “The helicopters needed to be included; otherwise this would not be a meaningful regulation,” Daniel P. Garcia, commission president, said at the meeting Tuesday.

Gerald A. Silver, president of Homeowners of Encino and a leading noise critic, called the decision to include helicopters “very important. This will keep all those media helicopters--that morning barrage--from going out. . . . They would have to find another base from which to fly.”

Silver, however, questioned the commission’s motives. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said, referring to implementation of effective noise control rules. “I personally feel a lot of this is preelection rhetoric.”

Riordan, who is up for reelection April 8, last week sent a letter to the five-member commission, which he appointed, asking that they seek approval of the three restrictions from the FAA.

In his letter, Riordan wrote: “The noise problem at Van Nuys Airport has been an issue that has long plagued the San Fernando Valley community. . . . It is important that we move ahead with measures to reduce the noise. Without progress on noise reduction, we will be unable to advance the proposed Van Nuys Airport Master Plan.”

State Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), Riordan’s election opponent, has repeatedly criticized the mayor, saying he failed to effectively deal with the aircraft noise issue. Hayden supporters say the mayor is now attempting to win Valley votes on the eve of the reelection.

Driscoll, however, said city attorneys working with the Department of Airports have just completed legal arguments they hope will persuade the FAA to approve the changes the commission acted on Tuesday.

The federal agency, which regulates airports, usually gives the smooth running of a national air transport system precedence over local complaints.