July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Letter To The Editor: Helicopter Pilots Endorse Initiative To Keep SMO Open:

Dear Editor,

The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association endorses the citizen initiated ballot measure that would put the future of any City actions to change the airport in voters’ hands.

The City Council has demonstrated an unwavering campaign to close the airport over the objections of supporters and numerous failed attempts to abrogate the City’s legal obligations to keep the airport open.

During the March 25, 2014 Council meeting the City Council again reaffirmed its commitment to close the airport no matter the cost, after its most recent loss to the federal government in court.

The city had sued the Federal Aviation Administration to gain control of the property, which was dismissed by the judge presiding over the case. One of many such dismissals.

The PHPA joins with AOPA and airport supporters in their concern that the city fathers will redevelop the airports 227 acres into high density land use thereby increasing traffic and pollution, negatively impacting the people of Santa Monica.

According to a study commissioned by the city and conducted by H R & A Advisors, Inc, Santa Monica Airport generates an economic impact of $275 million annually, is the base of 175 businesses, and provides 1500 jobs within the city, 900 on the airport.

The PHPA is dismayed in this time of economic recession that the city would ignore the airports economic benefits and would work to put people out of their jobs.

The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA), based in Los Angeles represents both private and public helicopter pilots and supporters.

The PHPA has had a long-standing commitment to its Fly Neighborly, Safety, and Community Relations programs.

For four decades since 1967, PHPA members have conducted helicopter missions within the L.A. area that serve the needs of the community, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, aerial firefighting, utility construction & maintenance, as well as support the business community.

The PHPA, along with other leaders in the helicopter industry, have always made safety their number one priority.

Anthony Byrnes

Profession Helicopter Pilots Association

in Opinion
<>Related Posts

SM.a.r.t Column: Cities That Never Shut Up – The Roaring Cost of Urban Noise

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

In today’s cities, silence isn’t golden—it’s extinct. From sunrise to insomnia, we’re trapped in a nonstop symphony of shrieking car...

SM.a.r.t Column: Santa Monica Needs to See the Light

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

How Santa Monica’s Growing Light Pollution Is Eroding Human Health, Safety, and Sanity There was a time when our coastal...

SM.a.r.t Column: California’s Transit Death Spiral: How Housing Mandates Are Backfiring

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

California’s ambitious housing mandates were supposed to solve the affordability crisis. Instead, they’re creating a vicious cycle that’s killing public...

SM.a.r.t. Column: A City Dying by a Thousand Cuts

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

Santa Monica, once celebrated for its blend of coastal charm and progressive ideals, is slowly bleeding out — not from...

SM.a.r.t Column: Oops!! What Happened? And What Are You Going to Do About It?

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Our Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow (SMa.r.t) articles have, over the past 12 years, collectively presented a critical...

SM.a.r.t Column: Why Santa Monica Might Need a Desalination Plant, and Maybe Even Nuclear Power

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Santa Monica is known for its ocean views, sunny skies, and strong environmental values. But there’s a challenge on the...

SM.a.r.t Column: SMO (So Many Options) Part 3: “Pie in the Sky”

May 17, 2025

May 17, 2025

SMO: Fantasy, Fact, and the Fog of Wishful ThinkingBy someone who read the fine print Every few months, a headline...

SM.a.r.t. Column: Owner Occupancy Protects Against Corporate Over-Development

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

This week SMa.r.t. will have as guest columnist Mark Borenstein. Mark is a long-time Santa Monica resident, a retired attorney,...

Opinion: Declaration of Economic State of Emergency in Malibu & Pacific Palisades: A Direct Result of the Devastating Impact of the Palisades Fire

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Malibu and Pacific Palisades Request Emergency Financial Measures By Ramis Sadrieh, Chairperson, Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce    On behalf...

SM.a.r.t Column: The World’s Happiest Cities

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Almost every year, we see new cities, regions, and countries that make the list(s) of our planet’s happiest and healthiest...

SM.a.r.t Column: A City for Everyone

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica dazzles with its ocean views, sunshine, and laid-back charm. But beyond the postcard image lies a more complicated...

SM.a.r.t Column: Part II: Rebuilding Resilient Communities: Policy and Planning After the Fires

April 13, 2025

April 13, 2025

The January 2025 wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena left an indelible mark on Los Angeles County. Beyond the...

SM.a.r.t Column: Innovative Materials for Fire-Resistant Rebuilding After the LA Fires

April 6, 2025

April 6, 2025

In the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, homeowners face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and...

Opinion: Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath Community Column Regarding a More Accountable Homeless Services System

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

By Lindsay Horvath, Los Angeles Board of Supervisors This week marks a significant milestone in our fight to end homelessness...

SM.a.r.t Column: Bring Back The Music 2.0

March 23, 2025

March 23, 2025

This is an update of the article appearing in the SM Mirror on Feb 1, 2025 On January 28th, 2025,...