Study Profiles a Major Contributor to Valley Economy
The credibility of the Department of Airports’ new study about business at Van Nuys Airport was attacked the day it was released by local anti-airport activists who called it “slanted” and “biased” before even reading it.
About 100 jet aircraft are based at Van Nuys, half of which were manufactured before 1983, called “Stage 2.” Those manufactured after 1983, called “Stage 3,” have larger and more efficient engines. Federal law prohibits state and local governments from restricting Stage 3 planes.
It is possible to retrofit a Stage 2 engine with a so-called hush kit, which makes the engine quieter and reclassifies it as Stage 3. Hush kits are expensive--sometimes as expensive as a new plane--and they significantly reduce the performance and the range of most aircraft.
One vocal anti-airport activist recently suggested that all Van Nuys Airport businesses retrofit their Stage 2 aircraft with these hush kits. That would solve the problem, she said, because then all of the planes based at Van Nuys would be classified as Stage 3.
What she didn’t tell you is that about half of the noise complaints registered with Van Nuys Airport are lodged against Stage 3 aircraft.
For years, a small group of emotional anti-airport activists has spent day and night trying to persuade elected officials to restrict the use of Van Nuys Airport. This handful of people sends letters to the editor to the local newspapers, trying to persuade you, their San Fernando Valley neighbors, that Van Nuys Airport is an ever-expanding monster.
Ironically, only five individuals submit 80% of the complaints lodged against aircraft at Van Nuys.
Van Nuys Airport businesses have worked hard to be a good neighbor. For the past five years, those using Van Nuys have participated in the “Fly Friendly” program, in which pilots reduce their power setting on takeoff to the minimum safe level while departing the Valley area. The Fly Friendly program has been very successful in reducing the noise footprint, the area around the airport that is most affected by noise.
More than a year ago, businesses at Van Nuys Airport agreed to a voluntary reduction of flight time from 11 to 10 p.m. Although they knew they would lose some business, the operators willingly gave up an hour of flight time to set the mood for working with the Department of Airports and nearby residents.
The department has recently recommended soundproofing homes within a certain part of the footprint, as it has done with homes near Los Angeles International Airport. We support this solution wholeheartedly.
A little more than a year ago, the Los Angeles Airport Commission requested an economic study on proposed regulations at Van Nuys Airport. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee, homeowners and airport businesses agreed that this was critical information.
The study, just released, shows that the proposal would devastate business at Van Nuys, and emotional anti-airport activists called it biased.
We learned through this study, conducted by one of the most highly respected consultants in the field of aviation business, that Van Nuys Airport businesses are a major contributor to the economy of the Valley, providing thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in the region. Just like any other major businesses, those at Van Nuys Airport create a domino effect within the area. Nearby restaurants, vendors and service providers depend on the continued strength of the airport for their success.
Since 1928, the year after Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, Van Nuys Airport has been a complement to the well-being of the Valley. From its early days of agricultural support, to World War II pilot training, to being the home of the California National Guard, Van Nuys is now the base for most of our community’s emergency equipment: fire and police helicopters and the lifesaving SuperScoopers.
Van Nuys Airport is a treasure in our community, and we look forward to working with the Airport Commission, City Council and our neighbors to ensure its continued success.
