General Aviation Concerns
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the increase of general aviation activity we have seen at Long Beach Airport (LGB) over the last few years. Identifying the avenues for meaningful and lasting solutions to resolve concerns, especially around the use of leaded fuel, is a top priority for this office. We hear and understand the concerns and frustration our neighbors are experiencing, but it is important to remember that as a City, we do not have local control over federally regulated airspace or flight operations. That is under the regulatory power of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). We will continue to work with our federal partners and advocate for our community.
In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to share your concerns with us, the Long Beach Airport hotline at 562-570-2665 or email at lgbnoise@longbeach.gov, and your federal representatives. We will continue to provide updates as they come on this page and via our weekly newsletters.
Timeline of Recent Actions
Since 2022, a series of actions have been taken by the City Council and Long Beach Airport (LGB) to facilitate the move towards unleaded aviation fuel and addressing general aviation activity. Below is a brief timeline of steps thus far:
September 2025 – As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget process, Councilwoman Kerr submitted five recommendations on behalf of the Fifth District, four of which were included in the final budget adoption on September 9, 2025. Notably, the FY26 Budget will allow us to continue the Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environment (SAFE) and the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) reimbursement programs. These programs encourage general aviation users to make the transition away from leaded fuel and reduce their impact on the community. The Council also approved the inclusion of CD5’s neighborhoods near the airport to be prioritized for the city's urban forestry program. Restoring a robust urban canopy in these areas most affected by airport pollution will help mitigate some of the negative impacts on the environment.
June 2025 – As Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Committee, Councilwoman Kerr traveled with Mayor Richardson to Washington, DC, to meet with federal legislators and agencies on behalf of the city. There, they discussed topics of local concern, including the impacts of general aviation. At the FAA headquarters, Councilwoman Kerr met with FAA representatives to discuss the issues being faced by the local community due to the effects of federal policy and regulation over the Long Beach Airport and the continued use of leaded fuel in GA aircraft. She expressed the need for federal action to accelerate the transition to unleaded fuel and reduce impacts on residents. She shared of the small successes we've had in Long Beach with our local subsidy and reimbursement programs, along with the hopes that, with support from the FAA, more airports will follow suit and begin to build the necessary infrastructure for effective change at the national level. The FAA acknowledged Long Beach's efforts in spearheading the use of unleaded fuel, and noted that their highest priority is airspace safety. While actionable solutions have yet to form, the FAA shared that they continue to work with their Western Regional Administrator on these topics of concern throughout our region.
April 22, 2025 – City Council passed the update to our Airport's Noise Ordinance to increase the fees for violators of the ordinance. The update doubles the original fine amounts to account for inflation, and includes language such that the fees automatically adjust for inflation in the future, to align with the intended financial deterrent. Some additional updates were included to reflect modern airport operations, such as removing gender-specific pronouns, correcting outdated runway names, and including an "email" option for notifying violators. Per standard procedure, the updated ordinance will take effect 31 days from the approval date.
March 4, 2025 – With express approval from the FAA, Councilwoman Kerr led the Council in directing the City Attorney and staff to draft an ordinance to increase fines for violations of the Noise Ordinance to account for modern inflation.
December 20, 2024 – City staff released a second update to the GA Operations Report outlining progress made thus far on the 7 recommendations described in the original memo and presentation. Notably, the update confirms the City's ability to increase Noise Ordinance violation fines, and discusses the onset of a more formal Fly Friendly Program. The program will be run by our recently appointed Noise Officer, Justin Cook, who comes to us with nearly 25 years of experience in this field.
June 25, 2024 – The FAA and Long Beach Airport staff cohosted the Long Beach Airspace Webinar to discuss community concerns around general aviation. The webinar began with a series of videos that outlined the history of Long Beach Airport and its relationship with general aviation. The videos also gave an overview of how the FAA, Air Traffic Controllers, and pilots manage and navigate the complex airspace above LGB and across the Southern California region. The meeting then transitioned to a Q&A Session, where industry experts answered questions submitted by community members in attendance. The questions focused on areas of community concern such as the use of leaded fuel, the altitude at which GA planes fly, and the parameters of enforcement per Long Beach’s existing Noise Ordinance. We encourage you to watch the full meeting to learn directly from the industry professionals and subject-matter experts.
This webinar aligns with LGB's Recommendation Three (Increase Community Outreach and GA Educational Materials) as discussed in the report published on October 31, 2023 and its update released on March 15, 2024. Meanwhile, to address Recommendation Two, the City Attorney's Office requested the FAA's legal opinion on a proposal to increase the fines for Noise Ordinance violations.
Additionally, the FAA posted a Community Education Series of videos to share with communities and address aviation concerns, including topics related to aircraft noise. A variety of factors contribute to aircraft noise that may cause disturbance for residents near airports and below flight paths. In this series, the FAA discusses the causes of noise exposure and how the FAA is collaborating with airports, operators, and communities to address it.
June 10, 2024 – City staff released a memo providing the final details and instructions for joining the upcoming FAA public informational webinar, to be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 5pm - 7pm.
May 14, 2024 – City staff released a memo announcing an upcoming FAA public informational webinar, to be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 5pm - 7pm.
March 15, 2024 – City staff released an updated report on general aviation at LGB, which also addressed questions brought forward by community members at the Council meeting presentation in December.
January 23, 2024 – City Council voted to take another step in incentivizing the transition to unleaded aviation fuel at LGB. With this vote, the city will implement a new subsidy program to offset unleaded fuel costs for general aviation users. LGB is one of a handful of airports across the nation to offer local subsidies and incentives as we continue to advocate for federal regulations.
January 2024 – Councilwoman Kerr met with Congresswoman Barragan to discuss the ongoing partnership and work needed to address general aviation concerns. Topics included the use of unleaded aviation fuel at Long Beach Airport. She also met with the Long Beach Airport Association and shared the concerns of the residents. Additionally, Councilwoman Kerr and her Chief of Staff attended Congresswoman Nanette Barragan’s Community Meeting in Cal Heights.
December 2023 – The City Council received a presentation from the Airport and City Attorney that provided an opportunity for Council members and the public to hear and discuss the details of the Oct. 31 report in depth with the relevant departments, to answer any questions, and to clarify any confusions. The City also came up with 7 recommendations that the City and appropriate city departments, including the City Attorney, continue to work on:
- Pursue Voluntary Agreements with LGB Flight Schools
- Review Increasing the Noise Ordinance Violation Fee Structure
- Increase Community Outreach and GA Educational Materials
- Support Strong Federal Advocacy for Lead-Free Skies
- Confer with FAA on Feasible Operational Solutions
- Explore Additional Incentives for Unleaded Fuel and Fly Friendly Program
- Explore with FAA a Temporary Moratorium on New Flight School Business Licenses.
December 6, 2023 – Councilwoman Kerr traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the FAA and EPA. In each meeting, each organization fielded at least 10 representatives, all of whom listened intently and in good faith to the issues we are facing locally. We established the need to be partners on these issues moving forward. We aim to enlist the backing of the FAA and EPA when it comes to the actions we can take. She was also able to meet with representatives from Senator Butler’s Office, Senator Padilla’s Office, and Representative Garcia’s Office.
November 2023 – The City Council approved a Supplemental Type Certificate Fee (STC) reimbursement program, which took effect this month. The program provides up to $300 for aircraft owners to obtain required approval from the FAA before their plane can use unleaded fuel (www.lgb.org/stc).
September 2023 – Councilwoman Kerr requested a comprehensive report on general aviation at LGB, with details on how the use of unleaded fuel could be incentivized. Airport staff subsequently published the Oct. 31, 2023, memo.
August 2023 – Unleaded fuel became available at LGB, from Signature Aviation @ Aeroplex.
December 2022 – The City Council voted to waive fuel flowage fees for unleaded avgas.
October 2022 – City Manager, Airport staff, and stakeholders began working to establish a plan to reduce and mitigate lead pollution, by exploring possible incentives programs.
