awbmof
Well-Known Member
NIMBYism is not limited to Southern California, Western Washington is chalk full of NIMBYs. I would hate see SMO suffer the same fate as NAS Sandpoint (http://www.airfields-freeman.com/WA/Airfields_WA_Seattle.htm#sandpoint).
Decades ago, Seattle had the opportunity to turn Sandpoint Naval Air Station into a world class GA airport. The surrounding community demanded a noise study then got one scheduled on a specifically publicized day. What wasn't revealed, the company contracted to conduct the study did so a day early with a Cessna 182, zero noise complaints. On the publicized day, hundreds of noise complaints, but not a single aircraft operation. Today you still see vestiges in the form of hangers designed to accommodate large seaplanes.
More recently, related to the growth of air traffic at SEA, I attended a community meeting where one elderly woman complained "those jets are so low, I could hit that Emirates plane with a rock from my porch". Coincidentally, Emirates was the only airline with their name painted on the belly and if she can hit a jet at 2000 on the approach, she's got a career in baseball. I encountered outright hostility when I spoke to a few folks about how important an airport is to feeding economic growth, especially in Seattle and to people who are 25+ years away from retirement.
I generally find that most people who complain about airports expanding are also the first to complain about rising airfares and diminishing service. In the end, I hope some accommodation can be reached to keep SMO open.
Decades ago, Seattle had the opportunity to turn Sandpoint Naval Air Station into a world class GA airport. The surrounding community demanded a noise study then got one scheduled on a specifically publicized day. What wasn't revealed, the company contracted to conduct the study did so a day early with a Cessna 182, zero noise complaints. On the publicized day, hundreds of noise complaints, but not a single aircraft operation. Today you still see vestiges in the form of hangers designed to accommodate large seaplanes.
More recently, related to the growth of air traffic at SEA, I attended a community meeting where one elderly woman complained "those jets are so low, I could hit that Emirates plane with a rock from my porch". Coincidentally, Emirates was the only airline with their name painted on the belly and if she can hit a jet at 2000 on the approach, she's got a career in baseball. I encountered outright hostility when I spoke to a few folks about how important an airport is to feeding economic growth, especially in Seattle and to people who are 25+ years away from retirement.
I generally find that most people who complain about airports expanding are also the first to complain about rising airfares and diminishing service. In the end, I hope some accommodation can be reached to keep SMO open.