Our Neighborhood Deserves Quieter Skies

Venice Skies is a neighbor-led effort to address the surge of repetitive prop-plane training flights over East Venice—and bring practical solutions to the decision-makers who can change it.

Sign the Petition File a Noise Complaint
39-43%
Flight Increase (2025)
~600
Petition Signatures
2028
Airport Closure Date

What's Happening Over East Venice

Flight school activity from Santa Monica Airport has surged in 2025, and our neighborhood is bearing the brunt.

The Problem

Small prop planes are circling above East Venice every few minutes, performing "touch and go" training maneuvers for hours at a time. They're not following Santa Monica Airport's "Fly Neighborly Program" guidelines—instead banking left just beyond Penmar Ave and flying directly over our homes.

  • Sling Pilot Academy signed a lease to operate out of SMO in April 2025
  • Van Nuys Airport construction is pushing flight schools to SMO temporarily
  • Existing "Fly Neighborly" guidelines are not being enforced
Flight tracking data showing dense pattern of training flights over East Venice
Flightradar24 data showing repetitive training flight patterns over East Venice

Why This Matters

This isn't just about noise—there are real health and safety concerns for our community.

Lead Emissions

SMO is one of the highest lead emitters in LA County. The EPA has formally recognized lead from aircraft engines as a public health danger. Many older prop planes still use leaded fuel.

Noise Pollution

Constant overhead noise disrupts work, rest, and quality of life. Residents can't hold conversations outdoors. The repetitive nature—every few minutes—compounds the impact.

Safety Concerns

Student pilots are learning to fly directly over our neighborhood at low altitudes. These are training maneuvers—meaning more risk than routine flights.

The Numbers Tell the Story

FAA records show a dramatic increase in flight operations from Santa Monica Airport.

Year-over-Year Flight Increase (2025 vs 2024)

39-43%
Average increase in flight operations from SMO

Peak Month Increases

Some months in 2025 show increases of 63% and 70% over the same months in 2024.

Root Cause

New flight school operations (Sling Pilot Academy) and displaced traffic from Van Nuys Airport construction.

Flight Pattern

Planes bank left over East Venice instead of following Fly Neighborly guidelines to turn at the shoreline or Lincoln Blvd.

Data Source

All statistics from official FAA records and Santa Monica Airport noise reports.

Important Context: Airport Closure in 2028

Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close permanently on December 31, 2028 under a 2017 federal consent decree. While this provides a long-term solution, our neighborhood shouldn't have to endure three more years of intensified flight traffic. We need operational changes now.

Take Action

Every voice matters. Here's how you can help bring change.

1

Sign the Petition

Add your name to our petition calling for reduced prop plane saturation over our neighborhoods. We're aiming for 1,000 signatures.

Sign Now →
2

File a Noise Complaint

Document specific incidents with SMO. The more complaints on record, the stronger our case for operational changes.

File Complaint →
3

Contact Decision-Makers

Reach out to Santa Monica City Council and LA Council District 11 to let them know this matters to you.

See Contacts →
4

Spread the Word

Share this website with neighbors on Nextdoor, social media, and at community meetings. Build our shared voice.

Noise Complaint Email: noise.mailbox@santamonica.gov
Noise Hotline: (310) 458-8692

Who Can Help

These are the decision-makers who can implement changes. Reach out and let them know this matters.

East Venice is in Los Angeles City Council District 11. Santa Monica Airport is governed by the Santa Monica City Council.

Santa Monica City Council

Mayor Lana Negrete

lana.negrete@santamonica.gov

Email all 7 councilmembers:

Click to email all →

(310) 458-8201 • City Hall

LA City Council District 11

Councilwoman Traci Park

councilmember.park@lacity.org

(213) 473-7011

200 N. Spring St. #410, LA 90012

cd11.lacity.gov →

Santa Monica Airport

Airport Operations

airport.mailbox@santamonica.gov

(310) 458-8591

Airport Manager: Stelios Makrides

3223 Donald Douglas Loop South

FAA Western-Pacific Region

Noise Complaints

noise.faa.gov (ANCIR Portal)

Noise Hotline: (424) 405-8020

Safety Concerns:

LAX Flight Standards District Office

Upcoming Events

Join us at meetings and community events. Your presence makes a difference.

Upcoming events will be posted here.

Check back soon for Santa Monica Airport Commission meetings, neighborhood council gatherings, and other opportunities to get involved.

The Airport Commission meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at Santa Monica City Hall.

Our Progress

We've been building momentum. Here's what we've accomplished so far.

2025

Launched Petition

Started the Change.org petition to decrease prop plane saturation. Nearly 600 signatures and growing.

2025

Spoke at Santa Monica Airport Commission

Presented our concerns about increased flight school traffic at a public commission meeting.

2025

Venice Neighborhood Council

Brought the issue to the East Venice Neighborhood Council to build local support and awareness.

2025

Engaged SMO Operations

Working directly with Santa Monica Airport operations team to explore solutions.

2025

Launched VeniceSkies.org

Created this website to inform, mobilize, and coordinate our community effort.

Get In Touch

Have questions, tips, or want to get more involved? Reach out to us.

Or email us directly at eastveniceskies@gmail.com

Resources & Sources

The data and documents behind our effort.

FAA & Airport Data

Health & Environment

News & Coverage