TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE THREATENS FLIGHT SAFETY AT OUR AIRPORT! 8/24/2026

Federal law 14 CFR 91.3 states:
The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. That is true everywhere in the United States---EXCEPT at the Torrance Airport!!

The FAA and the aviation community have worked for decades to craft Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Standard Safe Operating Procedures (SSOPs) that identify the safest way for the pilot to react to abnormal or unforeseen situations. TMC in many cases makes complying with those FARs and SSOPs "illegal" at the Torrance Airport. City staff is adamant about prosecuting the "violators."

Some every-day real-world examples:

• A VFR pilot taking off to the west encounters a low cloud bank a mile west of the airport. As required by FARs, he turns to avoid flying into instrument conditions and to maintain the required 2,000 foot clearance from the cloud bank. This is defined in the TMC as an early left turn and is prohibited by TMC.
• 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 is defined in the TMC as an early left turn and is prohibited by TMC.
• A pilot makes a bad landing, resulting in a bad bounce. SSOPs recommend adding power and making a "go around." This is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays.
• 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 is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays.
• 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 is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays.
• 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 is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays.
• A pilot on final approach sees another aircraft still on the runway. the SSOP is to add power and go around. This is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays. .
• 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 is defined in the TMC as a "low approach" and is prohibited by TMC on evenings, weekends and City holidays.
• 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. In the summer months, when it doesn't get dark until long after 6 PM this would be a "violation" of TMC.

I'm sure every pilot based at Torrance Airport has racked up at least three of these "violations" in the past 3 years The recent Noise Abatement Report listed over 180 alleged violations in just the first half of 2026.

We can either have a safe airport or one run by the TMC!