FAA Says City Can Curb Noise at Van Nuys Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a legal opinion that Los Angeles can restrict noisier aircraft from using Van Nuys Airport now and still adopt stricter rules later.

The opinion, released Thursday by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), was sought after City Council members said they were uncertain about their authority to regulate air traffic.

A federal rule adopted in 1990 bars noise and access restrictions at airports. But since the Van Nuys rules were proposed before then, new controls could still be imposed, the FAA had said earlier.

In the latest opinion, dated Tuesday, FAA Chief Counsel Nicholas G. Garaufis said that any new controls adopted by the city now could still be strengthened later.

That opinion should ease concerns that the city would be forced to adopt a plan by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners to phase out noisy planes at Van Nuys or lose its authority forever, Sherman said in a statement.

Airport businesses argue that the rules threaten the airport’s economy, and the National Business Aviation Assn. has warned that it will fight rules restricting private jets.

But Gerald Silver, president of the Stop the Noise homeowner coalition, called the proposed rules weak and ineffective. The plan would exempt about 50 so-called Stage 2 jets

Van Nuys has seen a sharp rise in private jet flights because of demand from corporate customers, wealthy individuals and the entertainment industry.