SANER Mission Statement

Hats off and thanks to those who guided the making of this statement.

–Most recently, City officials have done it again folks! They approved a MASSIVE project that will increase airport operations impacting the neighborhoods even more! They approved plans for a large new hangar complex for private chartered flights out of Long Beach Airport.

The company behind the project at 3605 E. Spring St. is Aeroplex Group Partners owned by Curt Castagna the main leaseholder at LGB, which will lease the space to private operators and fixed based operators. The company has similar operations at Van Nuys and Santa Monica airports. The owner also holds the master lease to most of those hangers at LGB that are leased to the flight schools and pretty much runs/controls all of GA at Long Beach Airport! And one more fact he also gave large campaign donations to our elected officials!

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“The discussions over environmental impacts from airport operations will continue, “but this proposal should be differentiated as it will serve newer, clean and quiet jet aircraft associated with private travel,” according to the staff report.” more…
-visit the thread on FaceBook to see the conversation there.(can’t provide link since it’s a private group)

The project along Spring Street near Redondo Avenue is a 74,000-square-foot complex on 7.5 acres that includes three hangars and a 10,000-square-foot space for offices and shops.

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–New Noise Study out… “At the UC Davis Noise & Emissions Symposium held on March 4, we heard a deep dive into the history, evolution and legal aspects behind the FAA’s current 65 DNLnoise threshold policy. It supported our view that the threshold policy crafted for meeting airport-specific noise statutes (Part 150 and land use) is not appropriate for National Environmental Policy (NEPA) compliance.” more…

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One member shared a response to their email to the Mayor which generated this response. It looks pretty similar to a response that another member in a completely separate email received from Kerr’s office.
I received the following response today from my weekly email to the Mayor’s office:

We hear your concerns regarding airplane noise and pollution and want to assure you that general aviation activity is a top-of-mind concern for this office. We have taken note of your input for our records, and we continue to work with our local and federal partners on trying to find lasting and meaningful solutions. Please keep in mind that we do not have local control over federally regulated airspace or flight operations; that is under the regulatory power of the FAA.

Since 2022, a series of actions have been taken by the City Council and Long Beach Airport (LGB) to facilitate the move towards unleaded aviation fuel and addressing general aviation activity. Below is a brief timeline of steps thus far:

· October 2022 – City Manager, Airport staff, and stakeholders began working to establish a plan to reduce and mitigate lead pollution, by exploring possible incentives programs.

· December 2022 – The City Council voted to waive fuel flowage fees for unleaded avgas.

· August 2023 – Unleaded fuel became available at LGB, from Signature Aviation @ Aeroplex.

· September 2023 – Councilwoman Kerr requested a comprehensive report on general aviation, including detail on how the use of unleaded fuel could be incentivized, which the City Council approved. Airport staff subsequently published the Oct. 31, 2023, memo.

· November 2023 – The City Council approved a Supplemental Type Certificate Fee (STC) reimbursement program, which took effect this month and provides up to $300 for aircraft owners to obtain required approval from the FAA before their plane can use unleaded fuel (www.lgb.org/stc).

· December 6, 2023 – Councilwoman Kerr traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the FAA and EPA. In each meeting, each organization fielded at least 10 representatives, all of whom listened intently and in good faith to the issues we are facing locally. We established the need to be partners on these issues moving forward. We aim to enlist the backing of the FAA and EPA when it comes to the actions we can take. She was also able to meet with representatives from Senator Butler’s Office, Senator Padilla’s Office, Representative Garcia’s Office.

· December 2023 – The City Council received a presentation from the Airport and City Attorney that provided an opportunity for Councilmembers and the public to hear and discuss the details of the Oct. 31 report in depth with the relevant departments, to answer any questions, and to clarify any confusions. The City also came up with 7 recommendations that the City and appropriate city departments, including the city attorney, continue to work on:

1. Pursue Voluntary Agreements with LGB Flight Schools

2. Review Increasing the Noise Ordinance Violation Fee Structure

3. Increase Community Outreach and GA Educational Materials

4. Support Strong Federal Advocacy for Lead-Free Skies

5. Confer with FAA on Feasible Operational Solutions

6. Explore Additional Incentives for Unleaded Fuel and Fly Friendly Program

7. Explore with FAA a Temporary Moratorium on New Flight School Business Licenses.

· January 2024 – Councilwoman Kerr met with Congresswoman Barragan to discuss the continued partnership and work needed to address the general aviation activity, including the use of unleaded aviation fuel at Long Beach Airport.

· January 2024 – Councilwoman Kerr met with the Long Beach Airport Association and shared the concerns of the residents.

· January 2024 – Councilwoman Kerr and her Chief of Staff attended Congresswoman Nanette Barragan’s Community Meeting in Cal Heights.

· January 23, 2024 – Council voted on Item 14, to take another step in incentivizing the transition to unleaded aviation fuel at LGB. With this vote, the city will implement a new subsidy program to offset unleaded fuel costs for general aviation users. LGB is one of a handful of airports across the nation to offer local subsidies and incentives as we continue to advocate for federal regulations.

· March 15, 2024 – City staff released an updated report on general aviation at LGB, which also addressed a number of questions brought forward by community members at the Council meeting presentation in December.

While we understand the concerns and frustration you and more of our neighbors are experiencing, it is important to remember that as a City, we do not have local control over federally regulated airspace or flight operations; that is under the regulatory power of the FAA. We will continue to work with our federal partners and advocate for our community.

In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to share your concerns with us, the Long Beach Airport hotline at 562-570-2665 or email lgbnoise@longbeach.gov, and your federal representatives. We will continue to provide updates as they come via our weekly newsletters. We will also add you to our list of constituents interested in Airport-specific updates to ensure you are aware of any news as soon as it comes.

Office of Mayor Rex Richardson | City of Long Beach

Office: 562.570.6801

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This, in spite of the fact that NOTHING HAS CHANGED! In fact, it’s gotten worse. Seems like they are reverting to auto reponses now.

May the skies be Peaceful this weekend. (may be worse as it’s Grand Prix weekend…)