GA landing fees

Wrigley resident urged exempting private pilots but slammed the growth from six to 19 flight schools and constant low overflights, saying noise abatement is a joke and the airport is losing public support.

A pilot, attorney, and former Capitol Hill aviation staffer opposed a landing fee, citing the airport's self-sufficiency, Vector's up-to-20% administration costs, and litigation risks at Van Nuys and Torrance.

SANA board member argued airlines pay $744 per landing versus about $2.70 for GA — a 276-fold gap on the same runway — and urged the commission to move forward with cost-center analysis.

46-year Cal Heights resident and SANA board member argued passengers subsidize the airport's $9 million deficit and $104 million debt while GA pays nothing toward it.

North Long Beach SANA member noted landing fees already scale with weight and wear, so fairness is built in — it just has never been applied to GA.

SANA member cited the $27 million Taxiway F grant as proof LGB isn't self-sustaining and GA causes real airfield wear, urging fees on the 91% of operations paying nothing.

Argued Long Beach's unique mixed-use towered airport means flight schools won't leave if fees are added; a $15 small-plane fee is a normal cost of doing business.

Cal Heights resident said itinerant pilots who don't buy fuel here pay nothing, and matching the commercial structure would add over $3.5 million a year to the enterprise fund.

California Heights Neighborhood Association president listed California airports that charge GA landing fees, called Long Beach the outlier, and argued a fee rebalances who pays without raising the legal ceiling.

SANA president and founder thanked the commission and asked for serious consideration of a fair, equitable landing fee program, plus community inclusion in future noise discussions.

California Heights native raised five transparency questions about Frasca's role, compensation, track record, and whether the cost analysis will be public.

Wrigley resident argued equity isn't met while 91% of flights pay nothing, said corporate jets should pay too, and dismissed lawsuit fears as a bugaboo.

Newcomer to the process noted the noise ordinance's cap means quieter jets mean more jets, and questioned how legal costs and administrative burdens would be handled.

Cal Heights resident said the last two years have been 'horrible,' reported children testing positive for lead, and implored the commission to make flight schools pay their fair share.