Chart Supplement Bulletin dated Oct. 31, 2024

 

News, Challenges & Correspondence:

11/19/2024  -  City Attorney Response to Leech-Tishman Letter

To Read the Entire Text of this Letter CLICK HERE.

 

11/06/2024  -  Letter to the City Attorney

   Restricting Training Flight Operations During Curfew Hours at Long Beach Airport

Ms. Dawn McIntosh
City Attorney
City of Long Beach, California
411 West Ocean Boulevard, Ninth Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
dawn.mcintosh@longbeach.gov
cityattorney@longbeach.gov

RE: Restricting Training Flight Operations During Curfew Hours at Long Beach Airport

Dear Ms. McIntosh:

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Vertical Aviation International (VAI) (collectively, “the Associations”) submit this response to a letter dated October 22, 2024, that was addressed to your attention, as captioned above.Our national associations represent pilots and aircraft owners, experimental aircraft builders, fixed base operators, charter service providers, individuals and businesses who use their aircraft in support of their business or are otherwise involved in the business aviation sector, as well as companies and individuals with a focus on vertical aviation. Collectively, we are strongly interested in the continued accessibility and viability of airports. In the October 22nd letter, the Long Beach Small Aircraft Noise Reduction Group (SANeR) urges the City to prohibit certain general aviation operations at Long Beach Airport (LGB or Airport) – specifically, to prohibit “taxi back” and certain other operations that are conducted at times during which a local ordinance nominally prohibits training operations at LGB (see Mun. Code § 16.43.030(A)).   For the text of the Entire Letter CLICK HERE.

 

10/30/2024

   World Series Flyover F-18 ‘Conflicted’ With A Cessna - C-152 reportedly came close to stalling at low altitude.

 

10/22/2024  -  Letter to the City Attorney re: Training Flights

Training Flight Noise During Curfew Hours at Long Beach Airport

Ms. Dawn McIntosh,
City Attorney
City of Long Beach
411 West Ocean Boulevard – 9th Floor
Long Beach, California 90802

Re: Training Flight Noise During Curfew Hours at Long Beach Airport

Dear Ms. McIntosh:

Leech Tishman represents Long Beach Small Aircraft Noise Reduction Group (SANER). SANER, as you know, is a
group of Long Beach residents who are fighting back against the onslaught of small aircraft noise that has been
steadily increasing for several years. Their primary issue with small aircraft noise is well within the City’s authority to
stop. That problem is training operations at Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field) (the “Airport”).

The City of Long Beach has something that many other municipalities across the country wish they had: a noise
ordinance restricting aircraft noise and operations that is not preempted by federal law. The City of Long Beach
Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance (Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 16.43). While SANER does not have any
issue with the commercial aircraft and their compliance with Chapter 16.43, it does have an issue with training
operations that take place at the Airport. Under Chapter 16.43, training operations are prohibited between 7:00p and
7:00a during the week and between 3:00p and 8:00a on Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays. Mun. Code §
16.43.030.A. SANER’s demand is simple. The Airport should not grant permission to aircraft wishing to perform
training operations during the above-mentioned times.   Read the ENTIRE TEXT of the Letter HERE.

 

7/19/2024

   LBAA ASKS FAA Office of the Regional Administrator (AWP-1) For Assistance FOR BETTER FRIENDLY FLYING

The Goal: A Positive Contribution enabling positive Community Relations with the Airport. This transcript has been forwarded to the City of Long Beach in the interest of furthering cooperation.
These responses were received on July 19, 2024 LBAA Question 1: When is it best to use 26L vs 26R? Does it help the tower if we ask to
go to the right runway when the left is rather full?

FAA Response to Question 1: Runway assignments are based on a number of
considerations. A pilot can make a specific runway request, and the controller will make...      Continue Reading HERE

 

4/28/2024e

   NATA Challenges GAMI’s Assertion Of ‘Commercial Availability’ of G100UL

The National Air Transport Association (NATA) says General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s (GAMI) FAA-approved G100UL is not yet “commercially available” even though the licensed manufacturer of the unleaded avgas, Vitol Aviation,…   Read the Details HERE.

 

4/5/2024  -  SCAUWG.ORG / LGB graphic analysis of the Flight Tracks at LGB showing the proximity to the proposed Space Tower site. 

Proposed Location of the Relativity Space Tower is showed by the RED DOT.

 

4/5/2024  -  Joint National Association Comment on the proposed Relativity Space Tower

   Circularization Comments for ASN 2024-AWP-238-OE
On behalf of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI), we would like to provide input and express our concerns regarding Relativity
Space's proposal for a 200'-foot tower at Long Beach Airport (LGB) for static testing   Continue HERE.

 

4/5/2024

   From NATA: Factors Affecting the Commercial Sale of Emerging Unleaded Aviation Fuels

Purpose:
To educate both aviation and community stakeholders interested in understanding or communicating the dynamics of the commercial availability of unleaded avgas, including considerations on the status of UL fuels, the paths to authorization, and safety concerns around the transition.

Introduction:

NATA (National Air Transportation Association) is committed to advancing the national effort to reduce lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft through safe and effective unleaded avgas implementation. NATA, along with other industry and government stakeholders including the FAA, supports the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Initiative1 goal of a lead-free future for U.S. piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030. EAGLE aims to eliminate the use of leaded avgas without compromising the safe and efficient operation of the existing general aviation (GA)
fleet and the economic contribution of general aviation – which includes maintaining 100 Low Lead (100LL) availability across the country during the transition. While EAGLE has targeted 2030 for the elimination of leaded avgas, NATA is optimistic that industry and government stakeholders can work together to achieve this goal sooner.

Read the FULL STORY HERE.

 

4/5/2024

   LGBAA Voluntary Fly Friendly Noise Abatement Procedures - Illustrated

View the very easy to read graphic map HERE

 

3/15/2024

   City of Long Beach Update to General Aviation operations at Long Beach Airport

View the Entire Letter HERE

 

March 2024   SoCal Fly Friendly Program:

   Aircraft Noise Abatement Procedures for Flying Friendly...

 

2/29/2024

FAA Public Notice Soliciting Comment re: Relativity Space Tower

Read it HERE

 

Relativity Space wants to build 200-foot tower next to Long Beach Airport

January 21, 2024   -  From Long Beach Business Journal - Launch service provider Relativity Space has proposed the construction of a 200-foot-tall “test stand” at its headquarters adjacent to Long Beach Airport at the former C-17 site — something that’s been met with resistance from some aircraft operators.

It’s unclear exactly what the structure will look like or what tests will be conducted. Relativity did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the proposed project.

Based on coordinates submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration, the structure at its base will be roughly 41 feet by 79 feet between the airport property and the massive hangar that is now Relativity’s headquarters and manufacturing plant.

Staff from the city’s Economic Development, Community Development and airport departments are talking with Relativity about the project, but no formal building permit application has been submitted to the city, Economic Development Director Bo Martinez said Friday.

It is likely that the project will be a steel structure similar to stands seen on pads during rocket launches and used to test the company’s 270-foot-tall Terran R rocket, which is currently under development in Long Beach. Being completely 3D printed using the company’s patented printer, Stargate, Relativity will need to test the rocket’s structural integrity while holding payloads that weigh up to 73,855 pounds.

Under federal law, developers are required to submit proposals to the FAA if a project is in close proximity to an airport. The administration then conducts a survey to determine if the structure could pose a hazard to aircraft or interfere with navigation aids. There is no set time frame for how long FAA surveys take, according to spokesperson Ian Gregor.  FULL STORY HERE

 

Independent Comment:

It would seem the FAA does not have a final say on this. and since it’s off-airport the city can approve it. Because it may desire to support Relativity’s business needs, should the possible unintended consequences be discussed?

The community would no doubt appreciate understanding that the FAA would then have to adjust flight patterns to maintain safety distances. Those might then extend out into the community. Hence, should the city approve the project it would possibly force aircraft and helicopter operations elsewhere away from their current locations.

Over the last 5-plus years, the LGB helicopter community has worked hard to mitigate community impacts from helicopters. One might wonder if by approving the Relativity project new community impacts would be created.

 

Date: October 31, 2023     LETTER
To: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager
From: Cynthia Guidry, Director, Long Beach Airport
For: Mayor and Members of the City Council

Subject: General Aviation Operations at Long Beach Airport

On September 12, 2023, the City Council requested a comprehensive report, in response to community concerns over increased General Aviation (GA) activity, detailing the GA operations at Long Beach Airport (Airport or LGB), including its ties to the City of Long Beach (City), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and privately-owned flight schools. As California’s oldest municipally owned airport, LGB has a long history of serving travel demand, providing economic benefit and being part of the nation’s network of critical aviation infrastructure. The FAA has jurisdiction over airspace, aircraft safety and regulates airports and much of our local control is limited by federal law. The Airport recognizes the recent significant increase in GA activity and sees this report as an opportunity to explain the complexity of Airport operations, answer community questions, share updated GA voluntary measures and provide seven specific recommendations that we believe are within our authority to address community concerns.

Long Beach Airport
The Airport operates as a department of the City of Long Beach (City) and is governed by the Long Beach City Council. The Airport Department reports directly to the Office of the City Manager. Founded on November 26, 1923, the Airport operates as an enterprise-fund department and is responsible for ensuring a sufficient generation of revenues to cover its expenses. The Airport will operate with an estimated budget of $65.88 million for Fiscal Year2024 with approximately 135 full-time City employees. The Airport Department was established in 2009, formerly existing as the Airport Bureau of the Department of Public Works.

The Airport is a significant City and regional economic driver providing travel opportunities, connectivity, movement of goods and services, and thousands of well-paying jobs to the local economy. The Airport is also a valuable national asset and is classified as a small hub airport as part of the FAA National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Airspace is under the sole jurisdiction of the FAA. The Airport is appealing for its centralized location within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, number and length of runways, and operational diversity with its ability to support commercial passenger and cargo aircraft, GA aircraft from business jets and training aircraft to helicopters and banner-tow aircraft, military aircraft from large transports supporting manufacturing industries to tactical jets and even commercial airship operations. The Airport also has aeronautical support activities including aircraft maintenance and repair. A key goal of the Airport is to maximize the economic benefits while minimizing potential adverse effects. The Airport encompasses 1,166 acres of land (approximately 1.8 square miles) and is generally located east of Cherry Avenue, west of Lakewood Boulevard, south of Cover Street, and north of Spring Street. The Airport, north of Spring Street, is in Council District Five and south of Spring Street is in Council District Four.

LGB Operations and Flight Patterns
LGB has three runways, Runway 12-30, Runway 8L-26R and Runway 8R-26L. Runway 12-30 is 10,000 feet in length and is the primary runway for commercial and business jet operations. LGB also has two parallel runways that are primarily used for GA operations.

Continue Reading this descriptive letter concerning General Operations at Long Beach including Noise Movement and Regulations by CLICKING HERE