SR-800-006-01 (3)
I
Clty Coune,] Office ~
Council Meetlng of September
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23, 1986
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Santa Monica, Ca\lfornla
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TO:
FROM:
Council Members
Mayor Christlne E. Reed and (ouncll Member Herb Katz
SUBJECT:
Stunt Alrcraft Over Clty on Evenlng of 9/16/86
We have recelved complalnts about the four stunt alrcraft flYlng over the
Clty between approxlmately 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. last Tuesday night.
Accordlng to lnformation I received from the Santa Monlca Pollce Department
Watch Commander, these planes were fllmlng a "laser experment.1I Channel 4
reported it on the 11 p.m. news due to the number of phone calls they
recelved Apparently one of the planes was blowlng smoke and dlvlng
sharply wlth a "pull out" at a very low level. (Peggy happened to see this
stunt for herself and told me, when she got home, I'Mom. a plane almost
crashed near Santa Momca College -- lt was smoklng and ln trouble. II)
We urge that staff communlcate ln the strongest posslble terms to the FAA
our obJectlon to thlS sort of activlty belng allowed over a dense urban
enVlronment. Many people were unduly alarmed by these stunts -- a gross
lnsensltlvlty to the publlC, as lt came right on the heels of the Cerrltos
plane crash. In addltion. we should communlcate our concern to Congressman
LeVlne.
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INFORMATION ONLY
september 23, 1986
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: "Laser Light Show" of September 16, 1986
INTRODUCTION
This report transmits background information on the incident of
September 16, 1986 over the Southeast portion of the City
involving three vintage aircraft flying in formation to create a
laser light message.
BACKGROUND
At approximate 9:10 p.m. on September 16, 1986 three vintage
aircraft based at Long Beach Airport arrived over the
intersection of the San Diego and Santa Monica Freeways. Flying
in formation the aircraft laid a smoke cloud in the sky. A laser
on the ground drew a happy face in the cloud. The entire
operation lasted about 40 minutes. The aircraft were operated at
about 2000 feet.
The operation resulted in major annoyance to residents in the
Sunset Park area of Santa Monica and in West Los Angeles. The
Santa Monica Airport received over sixty phone calls and the
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Santa Monica Police Department received about 200 calls.
Neighbor reactions ranged from outrage to fear to curiosity.
The aircraft were operated by a firm called Skytypers, who are
based at Long Beach Airport. The operation took place in Santa
Monica/West L.A. because the operator of the laser (Laser Media)
has its headquarters on Armacost Avenue in West Los Angeles. The
operation had nothing whatsoever to do with the Santa Monica
Airport.
Skytypers called both the Santa Monica Department and the West
Los Angeles Police Department to inform them of the incident.
Nei ther police department gave approval, as neither agency has
jurisdiction over the airspace Skytypers also informed the Santa
Monica FAA Tower that they would be flying at 2000 feet. As the
Tower closes at 9:00 p.m. the controller on duty referred
Skytypers to Los Angeles Tower. No mention was made of the noise
sensitivity of the airport environs.
Airport staff have contacted the Federal Aviation
Administration's Flight Standa.rds Office, who is investigating
whether the operation in fact violated any Federal Aviation
Regulations staff have also written to Skytypers and Laser Media
to express the Cityfs displeasure with the incident and have
provided the City Attorneyfs office with information on the
incident so that they might ascertain whether any violations of
the Municipal Code occurred.
Prepared by: Hank Dittmar, Airport Director
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