AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014 - 98

SURVEY

89%

AOPA members say the
threat of airport closures is
of high importance.

News & Notes
MEMBERSHIP

Saving SMO
Residents fight City Hall for control
of Santa Monica Airport

SMO TIMELINE

1979: Santa Monica City Council
votes to ban jets larger than Category B-II from the airport, resulting
in the 1984 settlement of a federal
lawsuit with the SMAA, AOPA, FAA,
and others. As part of the settlement,
the city agrees to keep the airport
open and accessible through 2015.
2008: The Santa Monica City Council
passes an ordinance banning Category C and D jets. The FAA says the
move is outside the city's authority,
and issues a cease and desist order.
U.S. District Court issues a temporary restraining order to prevent the
city from enforcing the jet ban. The
city appeals the order, and the U.S.
District Court in Los Angeles upholds
the FAA, a decision later sustained by
the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

A GROUP of Santa Monica residents has launched a ballot initiative that would give city
residents a say in the future use of Santa Monica Municipal Airport property, and AOPA
has pledged to support the effort.
The group is proposing an amendment to the city charter that would require voter
approval before the city can redevelop airport land. Surveys have consistently shown that
the majority of Santa Monica residents want to keep the airport open.
Now the initiative advocates have launched a new website, making it easy for those
who want to preserve Santa Monica Municipal Airport to show their support and stay
informed on the initiative effort.
The Santa Monica Voters Decide website (www.smvotersdecide.com) answers common questions about the amendment, provides the text of the proposal, and allows visitors
to register their support and make financial contributions to the amendment campaign.
AOPA has been heavily engaged in efforts to preserve the airport, which delivers
some $250 million in annual economic impact, hosts 175 businesses, and is responsible
for 1,500 jobs in the city. The field also serves as a vital general aviation reliever airport in
the congested Los Angeles basin. The fate of the airport has broader significance as well.
More than 200 airports nationwide operate under similar agreements with the federal
government. If Santa Monica is allowed to disregard its obligations and close the airport,
other fields could suffer a similar fate.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association will be held at 12 noon on Friday, September 5, 2014, at the headquarters
of AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, located on the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK),
for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the
meeting, specifically including the election of trustees.

98 | AOPA PILOT July 2014

2009: The FAA holds a Part 16 hearing on the city ordinance, resulting
in a ruling that the city's ban on
Category C and D aircraft violates the
Surplus Property Act and FAA grant
assurances. The ruling is later upheld
by the FAA associate administrator,
the U.S. District Court, and the U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals. AOPA filed
an amicus curiae brief and participated in arguments before the Court
of Appeals.
2011: Santa Monica launches visioning project to discuss the future of
SMO as something other than an
airport.
2013: City commissions and agencies
begin discussions of ending fuel sales
and not renewing aviation leases.
City files federal lawsuit against the
FAA to seek control of airport
property over opposition by AOPA.
2014: AOPA files an amicus brief
in the city lawsuit on airport land
control; U.S. District Court dismisses
case; city announces plans to appeal.
City residents set ballot initiative.

http://www.smvotersdecide.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2014