SANTA MONICA/PACIFIC PALISADES—The Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association has filed a petition to challenge the Federal Aviation Administration on whether its new project will have effects on local communities.
The new project is the Metroplex Next Gen plan, a system that will transition flight coordination from radar-based to GPS-based system. The Federal Aviation Administration prepared an environmental assessment to document the potential environmental effects of aircrafts departing or arriving from Southern California using this system. The FAA stated on its website that the project may involve changes in aircraft flight paths and altitudes in certain areas, but concluded it would not result in any ground disturbances or increase the amount of aircraft entering and leaving the Southern California airspace.
The upgrade by the FAA was made to improve airspace safety and efficiency and will be implemented in phases between November 2016 and April 2017.
Several cities and local groups including Culver City, Newport Beach, Benedict Hills Estates Association, Benedict Hills HOA and the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association have filed petitions against the FAA because of the impact the new system may have in quiet neighborhoods.
During the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association board meeting on October 25, it was revealed that aviation attorney, Steve Taber, will represent them during the Petition for Review process at the cost of $50,000. The cost will be divided into thirds with the Benedict Hills Estates Association for Burbank Airport and an individual in San Diego representing San Diego Airport. The SMCCA is setting the goal of raising $20,000 to cover their part of legal fees.
Filing the Petition for Review may give the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association a way to negotiate changes in flight procedures that impact the local communities near Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica.
The FAA has had open-house public meetings where the public are encouraged to attend as well as Internet-based webinars to learn more about the project. To learn more about the Next Gen plan, visit https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/communityengagement/socal/