Cap Noisy Jets at Van Nuys

Anti-noise activists say the Van Nuys Airport’s “Fly Friendly” program doesn’t do enough to cut down on noise in surrounding neighborhoods. Because the program is voluntary, it doesn’t impose fines or other penalties on operators who repeatedly violate noise targets.

We agree that more should be done to contain noise at Van Nuys, the busiest general aviation airport in the country. But the numbers show that the Fly Friendly program works more times than it doesn’t.

There are repeat violators, to be sure. After poring over airport records, Times correspondent Sue Fox last Sunday reported 10 of the worst. They included Hilton Hotel Corp. Chairman Barron Hilton, whose plane exceeded target noise levels in 59% of takeoffs since February, and television producer Steven Bochco, with a 37% violation rate.

But some repeat offenders have cleaned up their records. A clothing manufacturer who’d racked up 43 violations--and a stack of warning letters--has not received a citation since July. May this example inspire--or shame--other highflying scofflaws.

Of all the flights departing Van Nuys since February, only 8.4% exceeded the noise limits. We’d say the glass is far more full than it is empty.

Which brings us to a proposed new rule that comes before the City Council on Tuesday.

The same anti-noise activists who don’t like the Fly Friendly program because it’s not mandatory don’t like the proposed rule because it doesn’t go far enough. The so-called non-addition rule would cap noisy older aircraft at the number based at the Van Nuys Airport now, about 50. Anti-noise activists want the older jets, called Stage 2 jets, phased out completely.

That would require a long and costly Federal Aviation Administration study--as would making the voluntary Fly Friendly program mandatory. Adopting the cap, however, would offer some relief immediately.

Like the voluntary Fly Friendly program, this glass is more full than empty. The proposed cap deserves the council’s support.