It was the noise of the news helicopters that drew my attention to on Friday, August 10, 2012, 6:12 PM, while trying to return to Santa Monica Airport. Upon turning on the TV, I expected a traffic report. Instead I immediately saw the horrific image of a plane engulfed in flames in the West Los Angeles neighborhood not far from the Westside Pavilion.
I checked WebTrak today, August 18, to investigate if traffic into and out of SMO was halted after the August 10 crash. It did not surprise me that there were operations into and out of SMO shortly after the crash, including pattern flights and jet operations (see attachment). It was interesting to note the helicopters over the crash site. I saw five of them out my back window. WebTrak has trouble recognizing some helicopters. Instead of showing helicopter icons, they had a jet as well as small fixed wing aircraft performing close circles over the crash site area. There is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to WebTrak information, but at least it offers us some information to try and sort through. Although it does seem that the most egregious events are difficult if not impossible to locate.
For instance, in less than one weeks time after the tragic fatal crash, I received the following email message:
"Today at around 1pm, two single engine planes flew overhead in CLOSE formation only about 20 feet apart. I can't believe that these idiots are allowed to play their air games over our homes inside the approach to SMO and LAX!!
One mistake and we have two planes crashing into homes!!"
Coincidentally, my wife and a neighbor witnessed the same group of two planes over our area.
When I checked WebTrak I found nothing that came even close to representing this event.
I brought this issue of formation flying to the attention of SMO staff several times in the past. At first I was told by staff that planes were not allowed to fly in formation, SMO website states "Formation Flying - Formation flying within the Class D Airspace is highly discouraged unless necessary for an emergency." However, a representative from the FAA who was fielding questions at an Airport Commission meeting said that if the pilots request to approach SMO in formation they would be allowed to. Incredibly, he even said that he knew of no restriction on the number of aircraft that could fly information.
Formation flying is an unnecessary safety risk. It is unacceptable and it is disrespectful to the community that it endangers
We, the community, need to stand up and fight for our rights as it is evident that the City of Santa Monica and the FAA will remain complacent.
The rule is that the landowner owns not only as much of the space above the ground as s/he occupies but also as much thereof as s/he may use in connection with the land. However, this right is not fixed. It varies with the varying needs and is coextensive with them. Thus, a landowner’s property interest in the land extends to the airspace directly over the property, to the extent that the airspace can be used to benefit the underlying land. The fact that s/he does not occupy it in a physical sense, by the erection of buildings and the like, is not material. The common law stance on the relative rights of the landowner and the aviator to the use of air space above the surface of the earth is that an unprivileged intrusion in the space above the surface of the earth, at whatever height above the surface, is a trespass.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." It is clear that the FAA has the welfare and best interests of pilots and aviation independent of what might be better for the 'greater good." If the SMO website states, "Formation Flying - Formation flying within the Class D Airspace is highly discouraged unless necessary for an emergency," then it would be odd for the FAA to circumvent this notice. Yet not as odd as the FAA overturning Santa Monica's desire to restrict jets too large and fast for the length of their runways. When we look deeper into the rights issue we have to realize that resident's rights relate to being able to live in their home in safety and health. This surely would "insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Pilots or aviation rights are more complex because they can take their "rights" to another airspace better suited for jets that would have longer runways, neighborhoods not abutting the airport, and sufficient buffer space to reduce the intense levels of noise and air pollution.
approved approach plan in progress that involves the 9 runways and the 10 runways. A total of six!! Wing to wing....
BTW attacking another person's mind is the lowest form of discourse. Catherine
You don't want to believe for some reason. See the photo of six planes in formation near Torrance Airport and the associated Web Trak. You and Louis are helping the public understand the mentality of the opposition to addressing critical aviation concerns.
One Gulf Stream IV is likely to cause much more death and destruction than a piston aircraft. Am I right? Do you draw any line on when a flight crosses the line on safety to the neighboring communities of airports?
FW: Two planes in formation again From: Stelios Makrides <Stelios.Makrides@SMGOV.NET>(Airport Operations Administrator) Mon 8/20/2012 12:15 PM Good afternoon Marty Sorry I missed your call. Staff has identified the operators of these two aircraft and outreached to them. Staff advised them of the impact of their operations to the surrounding community and educated them of the “Fly Neighborly Program”, which discourages formation flying within the Santa Monica Airport’s airspace (Class D). If you have any additional questions please free to call me back. Regards, Stelios Makrides Do you believe me now?
of the Air Port is not signed Again, and that could well Eliminate the Corportate Air Craft and others. Rod Kellogg