
Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is a small business and general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California. It is one of the oldest airports in the United States and has been one of the foremost general aviation airports in the world. The airport is home to various businesses and events, and pilots can refer to the Fly Neighborly Program to learn about noise-abatement procedures. Given the airport's history, location, and popularity, can you take off a G5 from Santa Monica Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Santa Monica Municipal Airport |
| Acronym | SMO |
| Location | Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Distance from Los Angeles International Airport | 6 miles (10 km) north of LAX |
| Distance from Van Nuys and Burbank airports | 11 miles south |
| Size | 215 acres (87 ha) or 227 acres |
| Year opened | April 15, 1923 |
| Year of closing | End of 2028 |
| Former use | Site of the Army's 40th Division Aviation, 115th Observation Squadron |
| Noise restrictions | Maximum noise level of 95.0 dBA Single Event Noise Exposure Level |
| Noise restrictions | No takeoffs or engine starts are permitted between 11 pm and 7 am |
| Aircraft accidents | 4 recorded incidents between 1994 and 2009 |
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What You'll Learn
- Santa Monica Airport is a small business and general aviation airport
- It is located in Santa Monica, California, about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean
- The airport has a strict noise ordinance in place to mitigate noise impacts on the surrounding community
- Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028
- The airport has been the site of several aircraft accidents, resulting in fatalities

Santa Monica Airport is a small business and general aviation airport
Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, is a general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California, United States. It is one of the oldest airports in the country, having opened on April 15, 1923. The airport covers approximately 215 acres (87 hectares) of land, although another source states the area as 227 acres. It is located about 2 miles (3 km) from the Pacific Ocean and 6 miles (10 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The airport has a rich history in aviation and aircraft manufacturing. During World War II, it was a production site for various military aircraft, including bombers and military transports. The airport area was cleverly disguised from aerial view by constructing a false "town" with the help of Hollywood craftsmen. After the war, the airport continued to be a significant site for aviation and aircraft companies, with the Douglas Aircraft Company headquartered adjacent to it.
Santa Monica Airport is more than just an aviation hub; it also houses various businesses and recreational spaces. These include art studios, office spaces, a city park, a restaurant, and a theatre. One of its former hangars, the Barker Hangar, has been converted into a public events venue, hosting televised awards ceremonies and concerts. The airport's real estate portfolio and proximity to residential areas have made it the subject of political debates and court battles over the years, with residents expressing concerns about noise and safety.
The airport has implemented noise mitigation programs and strict noise ordinances to address community concerns. It is categorized as a reliever airport by the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013 and is scheduled to close at the end of 2028.
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It is located in Santa Monica, California, about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean
Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is located in Santa Monica, California, about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the oldest airports in the United States, having opened on April 15, 1923, and was once the busiest single-runway airport in the world. The airport is situated just 6 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and covers 215 acres of land.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1919, with some believing it was used as a landing strip even earlier, in 1917. During World War II, the airport area was cleverly disguised from aerial view by constructing a false "town" with the help of Hollywood craftsmen. Santa Monica Airport was once the site of the Army's 40th Division Aviation and the Douglas Aircraft Company manufactured various aircraft models adjacent to the airport at Clover Field.
The airport has been the centre of numerous political battles and court disputes, with local residents, land developers, and the local government seeking to limit or close the airport due to noise concerns and the desirable real estate potential. However, supporters of the airport, including aviation industry organisations and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have kept it open.
Today, the airport offers aviation services and houses various businesses, art studios, office spaces, and event venues. The airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028, and one of its former hangars, the Barker Hangar, is now a popular events venue for televised awards ceremonies and concerts.
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The airport has a strict noise ordinance in place to mitigate noise impacts on the surrounding community
Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is a general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California, United States. It is one of the oldest airports in the country and has been one of the foremost general aviation airports in the world.
The airport's noise abatement policies and noise mitigation programs are taken seriously, with violations resulting in fines and/or exclusion from the airport. Compliance with the Airport Ordinance is mandatory unless deviations are necessary for safety reasons. The City is often preempted by Federal law from establishing new or stricter local ordinances, but the Noise Code was grandfathered in and remains strict. The airport's website provides information on the noise mitigation policies and procedures in place, as well as the enforcement and appeal process for any violations.
The noise ordinance has been implemented to balance the needs of the airport and the surrounding community, ensuring that aircraft operations do not cause undue disturbance to residents. The procedures are designed to reduce noise impacts as much as possible while also considering the safety and operational needs of pilots and aircraft. Santa Monica Airport is home to various businesses and recreational spaces, and the ordinance helps to ensure that these can coexist peacefully with the airport's operations.
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Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028
Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO, FAA LID: SMO) is located in Santa Monica, California, United States, in the Greater Los Angeles area. It is one of the oldest airports in the country, having opened on April 15, 1923, and has been one of the foremost general aviation airports in the world. The airport is about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 6 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The decision to close the airport comes after a long history of community concerns and legal disagreements between the city and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The city has continually responded to noise complaints from residents, implementing measures such as the Fly Neighborly Program and the City's Aircraft Noise Ordinance to mitigate noise impacts. However, there have also been several aircraft incidents and crashes at the airport over the years, with community groups citing recent crashes as a reason for closure.
The "consent decree" agreed upon between the city and the FAA in 2017 will return the land to the city of Santa Monica on December 31, 2028, allowing for the airport's closure. The city plans to involve the community in designing the future use of the land, with Measure LC giving the City Council oversight over the development of parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities. The closure of the airport and the transformation of the land present a significant opportunity for the city to address the needs and priorities of its residents.
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The airport has been the site of several aircraft accidents, resulting in fatalities
Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, is located in Santa Monica, California, in the Greater Los Angeles area. It is one of the oldest airports in the United States, having opened on April 15, 1923. The airport has been the site of several aircraft accidents over the years, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
One notable accident occurred on March 13, 2006, when game-show host Peter Tomarken and his wife, Kathleen, died in a plane crash during climb-out from the airport. Their Beechcraft Bonanza experienced engine trouble and crashed into Santa Monica Bay as it attempted to turn back.
On January 28, 2009, a single-engine SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 lost power following takeoff and attempted to return to the airport. Unfortunately, the plane crashed on the north side of runway 21, killing both the pilot, Paulo Emanuele, and his passenger, Martin Schaedel. Investigators attributed the crash to the pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank for takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power.
Another tragic accident occurred on November 13, 2001, when the pilot of a twin-engine Cessna failed to remove the gust locks before takeoff. As a result, the aircraft overran the runway, and the pilot and one passenger were killed.
In addition to these incidents, Santa Monica Airport has experienced various other accidents, some fatal, dating back to the 1970s. These include incidents involving engine failure, loss of control, and crashes during takeoff and landing. The airport's proximity to residential areas has also raised safety concerns among the surrounding community.
While the airport remains operational, it is scheduled to close at the end of 2028. The site is expected to be redeveloped, with some of its former hangars already being utilised for public events and television productions.
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