It is LAWA´s mission to be an innovative leader in regional and global transportation, including proactively addressing community and environmental issues, in part through the Strategic Objective of "demonstrating a continuing commitment to the community". As one means of pursing this objective, LAWA has embarked on simultaneous studies of potential noise-based operating restrictions at both Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The process LAWA must follow to adopt such restrictions is dictated by provisions of the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 and Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 161, "Notice and Approval of Noise and Access Restrictions".
This is an historic endeavor, as LAWA is the first airport proprietor in the U.S. to embark on simultaneous Part 161 studies at separate airports. In addition, the VNY study is the first to address multiple restriction proposals.
LAWA´s Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) voted unanimously to approve three recommendations initiating the Part 161 studies.
On 21 March 2005, BOAC approved the award of the three year contract to HMMH for consulting services to conduct the two studies.
The applicable Board Minutes and Board Reports may be viewed here.
LAWA defined the scope of the VNY Part 161 Study based on comprehensive review of its existing noise management program at VNY.
The program includes noise abatement measures to minimize noise exposure, mitigation measures (such as sound insulation) to address incompatible land uses that cannot be eliminated through abatement, land use compatibility measures to prevent new incompatible uses, public outreach to maintain communication with interested parties, and implementation, monitoring, and enforcement measures to ensure the effectiveness of the program.
More detailed information about the VNY noise management program is available here.
In August 2001, LAWA completed an "Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Study" for VNY to review the program´s status, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness.
The study was conducted under the formal, but voluntary, Part 150 program that provides airports with guidance on technical, documentation, and public consultation procedures. Airports may submit Part 150 documentation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review, to obtain acceptance of the technical analyses and approval of "Noise Compatibility Program" measures. Approved measures may be eligible for federal funding assistance.
LAWA submitted the required documentation to the FAA in August 2001, and a revised version that addressed FAA comments in January 2003. The FAA is continuing its review.
The scope of the Part 161 Study was primarily defined in the Part 150. Seven of the Noise Control Measures ("NCM") proposed in the Part 150 require LAWA to conduct a Part 161 study, because they would restrict some aircraft certificated under a third regulation (FAR Part 36), as "Stage 2 or 3", including:
1. Incentives/Disincentives in Rental Rates: Establish a set of incentives and disincentives through differential rental rates to encourage the greater use of quieter aircraft and less use of noisier aircraft at VNY. Rental rates for leases and tie downs would be correlated to the level of noise generated by the aircraft (NCM 29).
2. Incentives/Disincentives in Landing Fees: Establish a system of differential landing fees for aircraft using VNY with higher landing fees for noisier aircraft and lower landing fees for quieter aircraft (NCM 30).
3. Establish Fines for Violations of VNY Noise Abatement Policies: The Proposed Restriction would make the voluntary "Quiet Jet Departure" program mandatory and establish the following penalties: $500 for the third (3rd) violation; $1,000 for the fourth (4th) violation; and $2,000 for the fifth (5th) and subsequent violations. An operator who commits a sixth (6th) violation would be banned from using VNY (NCM 31).
4. Establish Maximum Daytime Noise Limits: Establish a maximum daytime noise limit for all aircraft operating at VNY of 77 dBA (NCM 32).
5. Establish a Limit on Stage 3 Jets: Establish a cap on the number of Stage 3 jets that may be based at VNY (NCM 33).
6. Expansion of the VNY Curfew: Amend the existing curfew ordinance to expand the hours of the current curfew to include all non-emergency jets and non-emergency helicopters as aircraft that would come under the provisions of the curfew during the hours of 10:00 pm to 7:00 am (NCM 34).
7. Establish a Cap or Phase-Out of Helicopters: Establish a cap on the number of, or a phase-out of helicopters from VNY (NCM 35).
Approval of the VNY Master Plan in early 2006 led to expansion of the Part 161 Study scope. The Master Plan includes numerous Part 161 references. Most importantly, it adds two alternatives to the seven identified in the Part 150 Study:
8. Phase out Stage 2 aircraft in shortest possible time
9. Extend the curfew to 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays
The Master Plan also calls for analysis of two additional items: (1) disaggregation of the effect of the 77 dBA maximum daytime noise limit for Stage 2 and 3 jets and (2) identify the effects of proposed restrictions on historic planes.
The Part 161 Study, including the ultimate submission(s) to the FAA, will address these nine elements in a "severable" fashion, to permit the FAA to review each proposed measure separately and so that any required FAA approval or disapproval will not affect the FAA´s considerations of the others. The proposed restrictions would be established through new or amended City Ordinances, regulations, lease conditions, or use agreements, with sanctions for noncompliance.
VNY - Part 161 
VNY Part 161 Project Background and Scope