FAA nixes Santa Monica Airport ban

The FAA has ordered Santa Monica [Calif.] Airport officials to halt implementation of a ban on aircraft with approach speeds greater than 121 knots. Airport director Robert Trimborn had advised airport users that after April 24, "only aircraft in the FAA-designated A and B categories will be allowed to operate" at the facility. The ordinance would have affected about 9,000 of the 130,000 annual aircraft operations at the airport. The FAA's order noted its "preliminary finding" that the ban "is likely unlawful." Having accepted federal money, the airport cannot deny Category C and D aircraft operators the right to use the airport, the FAA said.