Despite strong opposition from local pilots and AOPA, a bill that could open the door for operations restrictions or even airport closure at Santa Monica Municipal passed the California Assembly Tuesday. The bill, now before the state Senate, would require the California Air Resources Board to collect taxi and idle times of jets and turboprops for one year. "While we were successful in defeating this measure last year, the threat keeps coming back," said Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "This is a case that could spread to other airports throughout the state, so we need the voices of all California pilots to put this threat to rest for good."
June 8, 2007