PANEL WANTS NOISY JETS PHASED OUT.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

VAN NUYS -- Taking a dual track to try to eliminate noisy jets at Van Nuys Airport, the Los Angeles Airport Commission went on record Monday to phase out the aircraft in the next seven years.

``I think it's clear this commission believes we should do all we can to take action as quickly as possible to eliminate these jets,'' Airport Commission President Alan Rothenberg said. ``The question is which way will get us there quicker.''

The commission directed its staff after a lengthy public hearing to move ahead on two fronts in appeals to the Federal Aviation Administration to allow the phase-out of the jets.

One approach is to complete what is known as a Part 161 noise study on the impact of the aircraft. The second seeks federal approval under what is known as a ``grandfather clause'' the city sought to eliminate the aircraft before federal regulations took effect.

LAWA Executive Director Lydia Kennard said taking the dual approach gives the commission and the city the greatest flexibility.

In either case, she said, a cost-benefit analysis will have to be conducted to allow the phase-out. Under that, the level of noise allowed from airplanes landing at the facility would be decreased from a high of 84 decibels to 77 decibels in seven years.

There are 34 Stage 2 jets left at Van Nuys, a number that has been declining over the past several years, airport staffers said. In addition, some planes are being converted by their owners to quieter standards using ``hush'' kits.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who made the issue part of his mayoral campaign, has been pushing the commission to take action to eliminate the planes as quickly as possible.

Wayne Williams of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association said it is only because of Villaraigosa's efforts that action is being taken now.

``Up until now, no one has been able to get the city to do anything about this,'' Williams said. ``I absolutely believe this is long overdue -- 17 years overdue.''

Williams said the airport commission first considered a phase-out of the jets in 1990, but a formal action was never taken.

``We always hear about the impact on business, but they have always adjusted in the past,'' Williams said.

Don Schultz of the Van Nuys Airport Citizen Advisory Council urged the commission to go ahead with the Part 161 study to make sure it complies with all regulations.

Gerald Silver of the Encino Homeowners Association also endorsed the approach recommended by the staff to seek federal approval to the phase-out plan.

However, a representative of Clay Lacey Aviation said the phase-out is financially impractical and will result in the loss of jobs for 60 workers.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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