Commentary: Public must document air traffic complaints

After seeing the comments by Barbara Diamond in the paper, (“Public must speak out about low-flying planes,” Oct. 16) I decided to add my comments and concerns regarding the air traffic.

It is vital that all residents express their objection to the flights over Laguna Beach. Recently I sent an email to our City Council members with our concerns about the air traffic.

We moved here because we wanted a healthier and more active lifestyle. We have noticed over the past several months that jets have been flying overhead.

The noise from the jets as well as the soot we are finding on our floors and windows is a problem. The soot is difficult to get off the painted surfaces if at all since it is a petroleum product. It damages the furniture fabrics.

We don’t want to breathe the air with this soot in it as it could be cancerous or cause other health issues.

Like most Laguna residents we do not have air conditioning and must have our windows open. There is also the possibility of debris falling from the planes and even crashes. We should not have to put our health and safety in danger.

Like Barbara, we are also awakened by the air traffic at 7:10 a.m. as well as the flights into the late evening hours. The flights seem to be minutes apart and the noise now created is taking away the wonderful environment of Laguna Beach.

They are flying directly over our homes in the north end of town.

In a draft environmental document to the Federal Aviation Administration, Assistant City Manager Christa Johnson wrote:

“Although we frequently remind the FAA of our residents’ concerns about airplane noise, the FAA’s response has been that they will do their best to get their pilots to [turn inland over Laguna Niguel] ; however their No. 1 priority is safety and they will direct planes to fly the safest route [advising them to turn inland before they get as far south as Laguna Niguel] depending on current conditions.”

Johnson wrote that residents are encouraged to report aircraft noise or operational complaints to the JWA Access and Noise Office at NoiseInfo@ocair.com or at (949) 252-5185.

Your call and complaint will be documented and investigated. In addition, your call becomes part of the official record and official documentation.

I have been told that complaints need to be documented and unless our community makes their complaints known nothing will change.

DEBI HAYOS is a Laguna Beach resident.