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Photos by Fritz Rethage -- Story
posted July 27, 2003
FAA proposes lifting
100,000 pound limit
For the past two years, Boeing
Co.has been lobbying to get its 135,000 pound converted 737 Business Jet into Teterboro
and other smaller general aviation airports. Currently, planes over 100,000 pounds are
barred from Teterboro because they may damage the runways.
A July 1 FAA proposal wants airports to allow larger jets to take off and land. This
includes accepting heavier planes on a limited basis, or by increasing the durability of
the airport runways.
Port Authority officials say the proposal could open the door to other planes that usually
fly to Newark. The Port Authority states that it plans to fight the proposal by providing
engineering proof that the runways cannot accept jets larger than 100,000 pounds.
Rep. Steve Rothman, D - Fairlawn, has put a clause into the House Appropriations Committee
that would prevent the FAA from using money to change the weight restrictions at
Teterboro. The committee has approved the bill and it will go the full House in September.
Rothman stated that Newark, La Guardia and JFK are designed for those kinds of
aircraft, not Teterboro.
Rothman has made reducing noise and traffic a key issue. In 2002 he helped ban the
oldest and nosiest jets from using Teterboro, and secured a promise from the FAA to keep
large jets out of Teterboro -- a pledge he says they just broke. In 2003, he worked on a
bill to stop public charter flights that mimic passenger airlines. The bill cleared the
House and is waiting for a vote by the Senate.
Assemblywoman Rose Heck held a public meeting Monday, July 28, 2003, 7 p.m. at the VFW,
513 Veterans Place, Hasbrouck Heights. See
photos below. On August 14, 2003, Heck sent 4,000 signatures to the FAA
expressing opposition to the increase aircraft size plans.
Boeing has been pressuring the FAA since 1999 to force Teterboro to accept its Business
Jet. As recently as June 2003, it has asked the FAA to investigate the lack of
access at Teterboro for jets over 100,000. Boeing contributes heavily to political
campaigns.
Boeing Business Jets without internal furnishings sells for about $40 million. Customers
usually spend another $10 million to outfit the 800 square feet on interior space with
conference rooms, bedrooms, showers, etc.. The plane can fly from Teterboro to Paris
non-stop. An outfitted plane weights about 135,000 to 171,000 pounds. Boeing has 82 orders
for the Business Jet and has filled 65 already.
FAA Proposal Details
· The proposal applies to all airports that use federal money.
· Airport operators must design new or rehabilitated runaways that can handle every
plane expected to use their airfield.
· Runways designed for lighter loads can occasionally handle heavier planes without
a problem.
· To keep out heavier planes, airport operators must prove that the excess weight
will damage runways.
· An airport cannot use a weight restriction to bar nosier planes.
Source: The Record, July 23, 24, 27, 2003
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Sample letter to FAA in Word format --
Due August 15, 2003
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Congressman Steve Rothman's [Press release] July 24, 2003
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PA to fight FAA [Press
release in Word format] July 31, 2003
PA girding for battle over 737s at Teterboro [Record story] July
30, 2003PA Says No [Press release in Word format] August 19,
2003
PA Chair says "No Heavier Jets Using Teterboro" [Record]
August 24, 2003
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FAA comments: dms.dot.gov Due by August 15, 2003
Weight Based Restrictions at Airport; Proposed policy -- request for comments Federal
Register, July 1, 2003 Notices [pdf]
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Meeting
Photos
Assemblywoman Rose Heck sponsored a public meeting at the VFW on July 28, 2003.
This bi-partisan meeting was well attended by many of the elected officials in the
Teterboro area.
View mpg movie of this room
Congressman Steve Rothman (D 9th)
Assemblywoman Rose Marie Heck (R-38th)
Moonachie Mayor Frederick J. Dressel
Hasbrouck Heights Mayor William J. Torre
Public officials addressing public comments
In 1999, a twin engine plane
crashed in the backyard of Height's resident Margaret Jengo.
Television stations Channel 2, 7 and 9, along with various print media covered this
meeting.
 
 
 
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