TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE THREATENS SAFE AIRCRAFT OPERATION

Congress gave to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) the EXCLUSIVE authority to regulate US airspace, aviation safety and aircraft noise at its source. Cities and states have no authority to encroach therein.

The FAA and the aviation community have worked to craft Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Standard Safe Operating Procedures (SSOPs) that identify the safest way for the pilot to react to every abnormal situation. Pilots, at all stages of their flying experience have been taught the FARs and SSOPs. They are regularly tested (both verbally and in practical tests) on their understanding of the FARs and SSOPs.

The City has received many, many letters from the FAA, national aviation organizations, local aviation organizations, and local individuals warning the City against trying to encroach on the FAA's EXCLUSIVE authority, but to no avail!. The City Council passed Torrance Municipal Code changes that conflict with FARs and SSOPs. They have made many normal, safe and required flight operations "illegal" under the TMC.

This places pilots using the Torrance Municipal Airport in the impossible position of having to decide whether to follow the FARs and SSOPs (and risk expulsion from the airport) or to comply with the TMC (and risk loss of their license and/or serious accident).

The City's Noise Abatement Report for the 4th Quarter of 2025 revealed that the City logged 1,901 operations at our airport that "violated" TMC. To put that in perspective, that is over 8% of all airport operations during that period.

At the Airport Commission meeting on 4/9/2026, Greg Lodan (from the Community Development Department) revealed that the department will begin in May to prosecute pilots who violate the TMC. Seveal questions were asked at the meeting which raised some important issues about the legallity of the "Prohibited Operations."

For real world examples of the resulting dilemma faced by pilots using the airport, consider the following scenarios. Surely, every pilot based in Torrance can recall doing at least one of the following:

• A VFR pilot taking off to the west encounters a low cloud bank a mile west of the airport. As required by Federal Aviation Regulations, he turns to avoid flying into instrument conditions and to maintain the required 2,000 foot clearance from the cloud bank. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.2.3(e).
• A pilot taking off to the west is advised of intersecting traffic flying south at the same altitude, but cannot see it. Following SSOPs, he turns south to avoid a possible collision. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.2.3(e).
• A pilot makes a bad landing, resulting in a bad bounce. SSOPs recommend adding power and making a " go around." This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.1. and 51.5.5
• A pilot arriving in bad weather is making an instrument approach. At the minimum descent altitude, he cannot see the ground. In accordance with FARs, he executes a missed approach. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.4,51.5.6 and 51.5.7.
• A pilot on short final during a strong crosswind is blown toward the side of the runway. The SSOPs recommend adding power and executing a "go around" for another try. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5., 51.5.6 and 51.5.7.
• A pilot on short final notices that the "gear safe" light is not illuminated. SSOPs recommend adding power and climbing to a safe altitude to trouble-shoot whether the gear is unsafe or if a light bulb has blown out. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.4, 51.5.6 and 51.5.7.
• A pilot on final approach sees another aircraft still on the runway. The SSOP is to add power and go around. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.4, 51.5.6 and 51.5.7. Often, the control tower would direct a go-around (if the tower is in operation), but it is still the pilot's responsibility to take action.
• A pilot is just about to touch down when he sees an animal run onto the runway just ahead. The SSOP would be to add power and go-around. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.4, 51.5.6 and 51.5.7.
• A pilot, in order to meet the FAR currency requirements to carry passengers at night, makes the required minimum 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop after dark during the summer months. This would be a "violation" of TMC 51.5.6 and TMC 51.5.7.

That is how over 8% of the normal. safe airport operations are now classified as "prohibited!" This is an untenable situation and it MUST CHANGE.!