CONSENT DECREE & 3,500 RUNWAY FAA Airfield Design Standards FAA AC 150/5300-13A Change 1 (2/26/2014) Joseph Schmitz, PhD Airport Commission Member Graphics: Andrew Wilder
Resolves Ongoing FAA v. City of Santa Monica Lawsuits and Related Part 16 Complaints Dismisses only FAA lawsuits FAA advises Part 16 Complainants that City now complies re Decree legal issues FAA requests private party Part 16 Complaint withdrawal Does not address lawsuits & Part 16 Complaints outside Decree parameters
Removes IOT perpetuity clause & Permits SMO Closure at City Discretion SMO closure delayed until January 2029 Permits 3,500 SMO runway through 2028 Limits numbers & size of jets at SMO Safe operations based on agreed-upon length FAA safety buffers constrain commercial passenger flights (including charters) Stringent commercial passenger safety rules increase aircraft runway length requirements
SMO Shall Have a 3,500 Runway Runway and Runway Safety Areas (RSA) will extend into the Western Parcel FAA approval required for RSA/Airfield changes before runway can be shortened City pays Environmental Assessment & construction costs 3,500 runway reduces SMO runway classification Minimum RSA length: At least 300, perhaps 1,000 FAA Regulations and RSA safety requires Cleared and unobstructed surfaces Restricted access
FAA Will Approve Non-aeronautical Uses for SMO Airfield FAA approval for non-aeronautical uses prior to Airport closure, but After shortened and reconfigured Airfield Property not needed for shortened runway & RSA may be used by City If FAA approved Consistent with safe aeronautical Airfield uses
City Has Proprietary Exclusive FBO Rights After runway shortening completed City has exclusive rights to provide all SMO services Including sale and into-plane fuel delivery Must offer leaded avgas & jet fuel Private FBO may offer customary GA service if the City won t fully provide that type of service 3-year aviation leases required
Stringent FAA Airfield Safety Protection Runway Safety Areas (RSA) Runway Obstacle Free Areas (ROFA) Runway Protection Zones (RPZ) Runway Strips at each end of the runway
FAA Airfield Safety Measures Runway Strips: 100 blast resistant surface + 100 graded, compacted, and leveled soil or asphalt SMO: Too short RSA: 300 to 1000 long & 150 to 600 wide (Determined by FAA Runway Design Code) SMO: Missing ROFA: Extends 300 to 1000 long & 500 to 800 wide (Design Code) SMO: 500 wide, but no extensions past runway ends RPZ: 1,700 long & 500 to 1,500 wide (Design Code) SMO: Non-existent & not possible with 4,973 runway
Present West End Deficient
Present East End Deficient
FAA Airfield Design Standards Santa Monica Airfield Runway Design Code(s) Dictated by three FAA Design Code criteria Aircraft Approach Speed Cat B = 91-120 Knots Cat C = 121-141 Knots Aircraft physical dimensions Lowest instrument visibility determines RPZ size Lower visibilities require larger RPZs Aircraft dimensions & Lowest Airfield (SMO) Instrument visibility B II: Prop, Turboprop, and a few small jets (CJ2+) C II: Small jets limited by short 3,500 runway
Present FAA Airfield Guidance AC 150/5300-13A d) RSA standards cannot be modified p. 61 A continuous evaluation of all practicable alternatives for improving each sub-standard RSA is required until it meets all standards for grade, compaction, and object frangibility.
FAA Compliant C II 3,500 Foot SMO Runway
SMO C II West Runway End
SMO C II East Runway End
Why Compacted Earth? FAA states: compacted earth - slows overrun aircraft Consent Decree expressly (shall) specifies 3,500 runway A 5,000 concrete airstrip is not a 3,500 runway Cost: -- Just under $2 million (LAX 2012 data) FAA changes agreements with Santa Monica after the fact Measure LC City Charter Amendment: Mandate City still owns Western Parcel under the Consent Decree City Council 2016 resolution commits City Council to local control of City land
Questions? References for all claims and information provided on request. Contact email: joe.schmitz@smgov.net FAA City of Santa Monica Consent Decree https://www.smgov.net/uploadedfiles/departments/airport/litigati on/consent%20decree%20(faa%20-%20santa%20monica).pdf Authority: FAA AC 150/5300-13A Change 1 https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/15 0-5300-13A-chg1-interactive-201612.pdf