AIRPORT UPS NOISE FINES FOR AIRCRAFT PENALTIES LAST BOOSTED IN 1981.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

BURBANK - The Burbank Airport Authority raised fines Wednesday for aircraft that violate noise regulations - the first penalty increase in 20 years.

Effective March 1, turbojets that fly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when a voluntary curfew is in place, will be fined $3,000, up from $1,000. Airlines that fly quieter, so-called Stage 3, jets during the voluntary overnight curfew are not fined.

Authority officials said there have been 36 night-time violations in the last two years.

The fine against airlines conducting training operations, engine run-ups and use of only half the runway during takeoffs was doubled from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense, with an increase of $1,000 to $1,500 for subsequent violations.

Airport spokesman Victor Gill said the fine schedule had not changed since the noise rules were established in 1981 and inflation had eroded the impact.

``The authority thought it was time to do that,'' he said. ``It's also a restatement to the flying public on how serious the authority is in enforcing the noise rules.''

The change also puts into place an enforcement process that provides a way to appeal the fine.

Under a separate action, the authority also unanimously endorsed the creation of noise standards for Stage 4 aircraft - the latest generation of ``quiet'' jet. The issue is being debated by the Federal Aviation Administration and an international aviation organization, and Burbank's would be an advisory voice.