Pilot Group Backs El Toro Runway Use

Hoping to squelch concerns about safety at the proposed airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, a small group of pilots said Wednesday that civilian use of an east/west runway would be safe.

Commercial Pilots for Airport Safety is made up of 10 retired and active commercial and military pilots who live in Orange County and support plans to build an airport at the Marine base.

Bob McGowan, a United Airlines pilot who lives in Villa Park, said the east/west runway is safer than anything at John Wayne Airport. “Every airport has its problems,” he said.

The group’s conclusions contradict statements made by representatives of the nation’s two commercial pilots unions, which have raised concerns about Runway 7, the east/west runway that the county has slated for 70% of takeoffs.

While stating they support an airport in El Toro, the Air Line Pilots Assn. and the Allied Pilots Assn. have said Runway 7 would not be the safest runway for takeoffs because it would send planes toward the mountains. In case of an engine failure, it would be difficult for a pilot to maneuver the plane back to the airport safely, especially if there were strong winds.

Airport opponents say they are leery of the Commercial Pilots for Airport Safety’s conclusions.

“If this information is so steadfast and rock-solid, why doesn’t ALPA come out and say exactly the same thing?” said Richard Dixon, chairman of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, the agency that will oversee the nonaviation proposal. “I’m not discrediting the individual pilots, but why are they contradicting the Air Line Pilots Assn.?”

The Commercial Pilots concluded that the wide-body 767 jet and the narrow-body 757, the two most popular airplanes for domestic flights, could take off safely from Runway 7 if there are moderate wind conditions. They estimated that wind conditions are good more than 80% of the time. When wind conditions are bad, a pilot could either take off to the north or reduce the amount of weight on the airplane by removing some cargo or passengers.

“There is nothing unsafe about taking off to the east” if the weight of the plane is reduced under bad conditions, said Tom Naughton, founder of the Commercial Pilots and president of the Airport Working Group, a Newport Beach-based pro-airport group.

In recent discussions with county officials, ALPA representatives have suggested that the northbound runway be used for the majority of takeoffs. According to pilot union officials, the county is considering that option.

But using that runway would increase the noise problem for residents in Irvine and Tustin. In addition, the jets would be flying close to the John Wayne and Los Angeles International Airport flight paths.

Still, union officials oppose the use of Runway 7 for the majority of flights.

“The plan [county planners] have put together makes noise abatement the first priority, not safety,” said Gregg Overman, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Assn. “We just don’t think it’s a good idea to take off toward the mountains.”

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Runway Rundown

Plans to have 70% of the flights out of a proposed El Toro Airport take off eastward, toward the mountains, may pose safety issues. Pros and cons surrounding departures in each direction:

North

Pros: Mountains not in path of takeoff; noise abatement not an issue

Con: Takeoffs would enter airspace shared by planes landing at John Wayne and Los Angeles airports

South

Pro: Room for safe takeoffs

Con: Safety, noise abatement issues

East

Pro: Noise abatement not an issue

Con: Not enough room between airport and mountains for safe takeoff; Santa Ana winds could create unsafe conditions

West

Pro: Room for safe takeoffs

Con: Planes would enter airspace used by planes landing at John Wayne and Los Angeles airports; noise abatement and safety issues with homes in path

Source: Commercial Pilots for Airport Safety, Air Line Pilots Assn., Orange County; Researched by LORENZA MUNOZ / Los Angeles Times