Owners of Noisy Airplanes Face $3,000 Fines at Burbank

Owners of noisy private planes that violate a nighttime curfew at Burbank Airport are now being fined $3,000.

The nine-member Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority tripled the $1,000 fine for curfew violators last month. The increase took effect Thursday.

The authority’s curfew for older-model turbojets has been in place since 1981. It bans takeoffs and landings of those planes from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“Over the years, inflation has softened the impact of this restriction, but tripling the amount will definitely send a message that we are serious about enforcing this key rule,” Authority President Carl Meseck said in a news release.

The curfew covers early generations of Gulfstream and Lear jets, known as Stage 2 turbojets, that are noisier than newer models, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

Commercial aircraft are exempt from the curfew, Gill said, but he added that all but a few of the companies abide by a voluntary curfew. Propeller planes and newer private aircraft also are exempt, he said.

The increased fines come as airport officials consider ways to build a new terminal--an effort opposed by Burbank city officials and area residents who have concerns over noise.

The Airport Authority also increased fines for other banned nighttime activities: general aviation training where pilots practice takeoffs and landings, engine revvings known as run-ups and a noisier type of takeoff from midpoint on the runway.

The new fines for those rules violations are $1,000 for the first offense and $1,500 for subsequent violations. Previously, they were $500 and $1,000, respectively.

During the past two years, there were 28 violations of the nighttime curfew and eight of other banned activities, airport officials said Thursday.