Limiting Air Traffic

* I would like to voice my opposition to any type of aviation expansion of Van Nuys Airport. I own a business and have lived in the Sherman Oaks / Encino areas for the past 12 years and the noise emanating from the airport has become so impossibly loud and bothersome that I find myself constantly stressed out. My day begins by being awakened by an army of helicopters “marching” toward the San Diego Freeway at approximately 6 a.m. or earlier, followed by intermittent small aircraft. But the coup de grace is the barrage of jet aircraft commencing at precisely 7 a.m. and continuing throughout the day and evening until 11 p.m. or later. I sometimes hear jet noise as early as 2 or 3 in the morning. What is going on? I can remember a time when I could sleep peacefully on Saturdays and Sundays until 9 a.m.

Why can’t the airport have a real curfew, phase out Stage II noisy and obnoxious aircraft, shelve any plans for aviation expansion, implement stronger noise regulations? We all contribute to the economic growth of the San Fernando Valley. Don’t we deserve just a little peace and quiet? There should be stricter regulations, higher fines and collected fines for all violators.

JAN NEVEU-BEAGHAN

Encino