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Recommendation to receive and file the attached Airport activities reports. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
Included are the Monthly Airport Activity Reports for July and August 2006. Individual monthly reports are attached for your review.
Airport Passenger, General Aviation (GA) and Cargo Activity - The Monthly Airport Activity Report provides monthly and year-to-date statistics for airline passengers (total and enplaned), aircraft operations by user category, and cargo carrier tonnage. Total passenger counts through August were 1,903,279 compared to last year's 2,088,876 a decrease of 8.9%. The decrease in total passengers is attributed to the discontinuance of service by American Airlines. GA operations, year-to-date, compared to last year are up 3.1 %, (225,782 operations vs. 218,938). Cargo volumes, year-to-date, are down 6.6% (33,884 tons vs. 36,296).
Noise Activity - The Monthly Airport Noise Statistics Report includes four separate reports with current month and year-to-date totals. The four reports are as follows:
• Noise Complaints - Summarizes noise complaint information for commercial (which includes cargo carriers), GA, and other operations.
• . Noise Complaint Plot Map - Identifies the origin of the complaint.
• . Commercial Late Night Activity - Summarizes activity between 10:00 p.m. to 11 :00 p.m. and 11 :00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. by airline.
• . Noise Violations - Summarizes violations for airline and GA operations. Provides a complete listing of each violation, includes violator's name, date and time of violation, aircraft type, aircraft noise level, and the time specific allowable noise level.
The Airport's Noise Office receives and investigates noise inquiries and complaints from local residents and residents who live outside of Long Beach. For the combined months of July and August, the Noise Office received 679 complaints compared to 1,073 complaints received during the same period in 2005.
Further analysis of the combined noise complaints revealed the following:
• . Total number of complainants: 150
• . 52% (355 of 679) of the complaints were related to operations between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• . 5% (34 of 679) of the complainants reside in Seal Beach or Huntington Beach.
The above referenced information is displayed on the Airport's website (www.lqb.orq).
Other Airport Activity
• FAROS - Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal Operational Evaluation
During August 2006, the FAA began a "first in the nation" operational evaluation of a Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal (FAROS). FAROS is designed to provide landing aircraft with a direct warning of vehicles or aircraft on the runway. The system would prevent "land over" accidents such as the tragic USAir-Skywest accident at LAX in 1991. FARO uses a visual glide path lighting system already installed at most airports.
Sensors in the pavement or ground radar provide information on the location of aircraft or vehicles on the runway, and cause the lights to flash, warning the pilot on final approach that the runway is occupied.
On October 11, 2006, the FAA has invited the national Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman and other NTSB members for a tour and demonstration of the system. An invitation has also been extended to Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Aviation Subcommittee, and she has expressed an on going interest in the Long Beach Airport and its endeavors to improve aviation safety and security.
• FLIGHT SLOT ALLOCATION
The commercial Air Carrier flight slot recently relinquished by FedEx was reallocated, per the City's Flight Allocation Resolution, on Tuesday, September 27, 2006. Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, and UPS each submitted applications for the available flight slot. A lottery was conducted by the City Attorney's Office on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, to allocate the available flight slot. JetBlue won the lottery, and they have 180 days to commence operation of the flight slot. Commercial flight slots are now allocated as follows: JetBlue, 28; Alaska Airlines, 5; USAir, 4; UPS, 2; Fed Ex, 1; DHL, 1. Five of the 25 commuter flight slots are currently operational; one by USAir, and the remaining four by SkyWest.
• NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION (NBAA) Regional Forum
On November 16, 2006, the NBAA will host its Regional Forum in Long Beach at Toyota Airflite. The NBAA Regional Forums are learning and networking experiences designed to meet the needs of regional business aviation operators, and vendors from across the United States. The daylong event is expected to attract hundreds of attendees, feature approximately 30 aircraft on static display and 60 indoor exhibitors. Additionally, there will be seminars and briefings for the business aviation community in Southern California. This event is not open to the general public.
• PORTRAITS OF HOPE - Long Beach Airport Control Tower Project
Portraits of Hope is a non-profit program that conceives and develops educational and artistic collaborative projects for children in hospitals, schools, and after-school programs that culminate in "spectacular, one-of-a-kind, public art works." Portraits of Hope projects have been featured prominently in national and international television, radio, and print media. The LB Airport Control Tower Project will create an 8,000sq. ft. artwork that will be temporarily installed over the concrete sides of the Long Beach Airport Control Tower.
A kick-off meeting for the project was held on Wednesday, September 20th at the Long Beach Airport. Attendees included representatives from the Long Beach Unified School District, City of Long Beach Parks Recreation and Marine, Council Districts 4, 5 & 8, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, Miller Children's Hospital, Arts Council for Long Beach, the Young Eagles, Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, Ameriquest Corporation and the Long Beach Airport. Portraits of Hope staff provided an overview of the project and solicited help from the various agencies to identify the 300+ young people who will create the 8,000sq. ft. artwork. The project is expected to begin in Fall 2006 and be completed during early 2007.
• SEA FESTIVAL
The Long Beach Airport served as the key sponsor for the Long Beach Sea Festival, 2nd Annual Go Fly-A-Kite Day, held on August 26, at Granada Beach. Hundreds of Long Beach children were provided a free kite and a barbeque lunch.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is not time critical.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTINE F. ANDERSEN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |