Attempts to restrict flights are futile

For those who have been following it, the discussion of the airport in Santa Monica, Calif., has been interesting because there are similarities between that airport and Paine Field. The city of Santa Monica enacted a restriction to Category C and D aircraft. Those are normally larger aircraft with faster approach and landing speeds. The similarity for here is that some local folks want to restrict one type of use of the airport — just like Santa Monica has attempted.

In its determination with the city of Santa Monica’s ordinance, the FAA stated: “Federal aviation law preempts local ordinances such as the city’s, designed to control flight operations and impede safe and efficient airspace management. The city’s ordinance is an unlawful attempt to manage the movement of aircraft and control use of the navigable airspace.”

The FAA has been consistent for many years in its interpretation of not allowing local or even state laws to interfere with federal law concerning airspace and FAA funded airports — such as Paine Field. As it currently stands: California’s Central District Court granted the FAA’s request for an injunction against the city’s ordinance. The city has appealed the district court’s injunction order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The National Business Aviation Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and others all strongly support the FAA’s stance.

Randy Moore