Key Takeaways
• Lawsuit filed June 2025 by SANER against Long Beach for not enforcing airport noise rules.
• Flight schools use “taxi-back” loophole to operate during banned hours, increasing noise.
• City fears losing federal airport funding if loophole enforcement harms flight school operations.
A group of Long Beach residents has taken legal action against the City of Long Beach, claiming the city is not enforcing its own airport noise rules. The lawsuit, filed in late June 2025, centers on the persistent noise from small aircraft, especially those used by flight schools at Long Beach Airport (LGB). Residents say this noise disrupts their lives, keeps them awake at night, and makes it hard to enjoy their homes. The case, now in Los Angeles County Superior Court, could have far-reaching effects for airport communities across the United States 🇺🇸.
Who Is Involved and What’s at Stake?
The lawsuit was brought by the Long Beach Small Aircraft Noise Reduction (SANER) Group, a community organization led by Lisa Dunn. SANER represents residents who have been dealing with increased airport noise for more than two years. Their main complaint is that the city is not enforcing the Long Beach airport noise ordinance, a set of rules in place since 1995 to protect neighborhoods from excessive aircraft noise.
The city, for its part, has not commented on the lawsuit, citing the ongoing legal process. However, officials have previously said that changing how the rules are enforced could put millions of dollars in federal funding for the airport at risk.
Why Are Residents Suing?
At the heart of the lawsuit is a technical issue with how flight schools operate at Long Beach Airport. The noise ordinance clearly bans certain training maneuvers—like “touch and go,” “stop and go,” “practice low approach,” and “practice missed approach”—during specific hours. These hours are:
- Monday to Friday: No training flights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: No training flights from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m.
However, flight schools have found a way around these rules. They classify some of their training as “taxi-back” operations, which are not specifically mentioned in the ordinance. This means small planes can keep flying over neighborhoods late at night and early in the morning, even though other types of training flights are banned during those times.
Residents say this loophole has led to a sharp increase in noise, especially as more flight schools have moved their operations to Long Beach. As of June 2025, there are 16 flight schools at the airport. Many came to Long Beach because other airports in Southern California, like Torrance, have stricter rules and higher costs for flight training.
How Has the City Responded?
The city’s position is complicated. Officials say that if they close the loophole and strictly enforce the noise ordinance, they could lose important federal funding. This funding helps keep the airport running and supports local jobs. The city also says that “taxi-back” operations are not clearly banned by the current ordinance, so they have not taken action against flight schools using this method.
In September 2023, the City Council did ask the City Manager to work with the airport to create a detailed report on general aviation. This move came after hundreds of residents complained about both noise and lead pollution from small planes. But many residents feel these steps have not solved the problem.
What Do Residents Want?
The SANER Group and other residents are not asking for money or changes to the ordinance itself. They simply want the city to enforce the rules already in place. They believe that by closing the “taxi-back” loophole, the city can reduce noise and improve quality of life for people living near the airport.
Lisa Dunn, the group’s founder, says the city is “turning a blind eye to blatant violations.” She and other residents want city leaders to put the needs of the community first, even if it means facing tough choices about airport funding.
Legal Representation and Process
SANER is represented by Steven Taber, an attorney with deep experience in aviation and environmental law. Taber has worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the past and now practices at Leech Tishman Nelson & Hardiman. His knowledge of aviation law could play a big role in how the court interprets the ordinance and decides the case.
The lawsuit was filed after more than two years of resident advocacy and failed attempts to resolve the issue through city channels. The case is now pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city and airport have not made public statements due to the ongoing litigation.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
For years, Long Beach residents have complained about airport noise, especially from small planes used by flight schools. Many say the problem has gotten worse as more flight schools have moved to Long Beach. This shift happened because other airports in the region have made it harder or more expensive for flight schools to operate.
In response to growing complaints, the City Council took some steps in 2023, asking for a report on general aviation. But residents say these actions have not led to real change. The main issue remains: flight schools continue to use the “taxi-back” loophole to fly during hours when other training flights are banned.
How Does the Noise Ordinance Work?
The Long Beach airport noise ordinance was created in 1995 to protect neighborhoods from excessive aircraft noise. It sets clear limits on when certain types of flight training can take place. The rules are:
- No training flights (touch and go, stop and go, practice low approach, practice missed approach) during restricted hours
- Restricted hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends and holidays
The ordinance does not specifically mention “taxi-back” operations. This omission has allowed flight schools to continue flying during restricted hours by calling their training “taxi-back” instead of the banned types.
What Is a “Taxi-Back” Operation?
A “taxi-back” operation is when a plane lands, slows down, and then turns around on the runway to taxi back for another takeoff, without leaving the runway area. Flight schools argue that this is different from a “touch and go” or “stop and go,” which involve taking off again immediately after landing. Because “taxi-back” is not listed in the ordinance, flight schools say they are not breaking any rules.
Residents, however, say the noise is just as bad, no matter what the operation is called. They believe the spirit of the ordinance is being ignored, and that the city should enforce the rules more strictly.
What Are the Effects on Residents?
People living near Long Beach Airport say the constant noise from small planes has made life difficult. Some of the problems they report include:
- Sleepless nights due to planes flying overhead late at night and early in the morning
- Inability to use outdoor spaces like yards and patios because of the noise
- Disruption of daily activities such as working from home, studying, or relaxing
- Loss of quality of life and increased stress
Many residents have filed complaints with the city’s airport noise office, but they feel their concerns have not been addressed.
What Does the City Risk if It Enforces the Rules?
City officials worry that if they close the “taxi-back” loophole and strictly enforce the noise ordinance, they could lose federal funding for the airport. This funding is tied to certain operational standards that airports must meet. Losing this money could hurt the airport’s ability to operate and impact local jobs and businesses.
Some community members and city officials also worry that stricter enforcement could hurt local aviation businesses, including flight schools and related services.
What Role Does the FAA Play?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the national agency that oversees airports and air traffic in the United States 🇺🇸. Residents have reached out to the FAA for help, but the agency’s role in enforcing local noise ordinances is limited. The FAA can provide guidance and support, but it does not directly enforce city rules.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit is still in its early stages as of July 1, 2025. The court will need to decide whether the city is required to enforce the noise ordinance more strictly and whether “taxi-back” operations should be included in the list of banned training maneuvers.
Depending on the outcome, the city may have to change how it enforces the rules or even amend the ordinance to make it clearer. The case could also set a precedent for other airport communities facing similar issues with flight school noise.
Potential Outcomes and Broader Impact
If the court sides with the residents, Long Beach may need to:
- Enforce the noise ordinance more strictly
- Ban “taxi-back” operations during restricted hours
- Risk losing federal funding for the airport
If the city wins, flight schools may continue their current practices, and residents may need to look for other ways to address the noise problem.
The outcome could influence how other cities across the United States 🇺🇸 handle airport noise and flight school operations. Many communities face similar challenges, and this case could serve as a model for future legal actions.
What Can Residents Do Now?
Residents who are affected by airport noise can:
- File noise complaints with the Long Beach Airport Noise Office. The city provides an online form and contact information for residents to report issues. You can access the official complaint process on the City of Long Beach official website.
- Join advocacy groups like SANER to stay informed and support community efforts.
- Attend city meetings and share their experiences with local leaders.
- Follow the lawsuit as it moves through the court system and participate in public discussions about airport policy.
Key Facts at a Glance (as of July 1, 2025):
- Lawsuit filed: June 2025, Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Plaintiff: Long Beach Small Aircraft Noise Reduction (SANER) Group
- Defendant: City of Long Beach
- Main issue: Enforcement of training operation restrictions, “taxi-back” loophole
- Number of flight schools: 16 (as of June 2025)
- Legal representation: Steven Taber, Leech Tishman Nelson & Hardiman
- City’s position: Concern over potential loss of federal funding if loophole is closed
- Resident impact: Noise, loss of sleep, reduced quality of life
- Next steps: Pending litigation, possible changes to enforcement or ordinance
Expert Opinions and Community Voices
Steven Taber, the attorney representing SANER, brings years of experience in aviation law. His involvement may help the court understand the technical details of airport operations and the intent behind the noise ordinance.
Lisa Dunn and other community leaders continue to push for stronger enforcement, saying that the well-being of residents should come before airport convenience or business interests.
Some city officials and business owners, however, warn that stricter rules could hurt the local economy and lead to job losses if flight schools leave Long Beach.
Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake for Long Beach and Beyond
The Long Beach airport noise lawsuit is more than just a local dispute. It raises important questions about how cities balance the needs of residents with the demands of airport operations and business interests. The outcome could shape how noise ordinances are enforced at airports across the country.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the case highlights the ongoing struggle many communities face when dealing with airport noise and the challenges of enforcing local rules in the face of federal regulations and economic pressures.
Residents, city officials, flight schools, and legal experts will all be watching closely as the case moves forward. No matter the outcome, the lawsuit has already brought new attention to the issue of airport noise and the need for clear, fair rules that protect both communities and businesses.
For more information or to file a noise complaint, visit the Long Beach Airport Noise Office.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Long Beach airport noise lawsuit shows how complex and emotional airport noise issues can be. Residents want peace and quiet, while the city must consider funding and business needs. The court’s decision will likely have a big impact on Long Beach and could influence airport noise policies in other cities.
If you live near Long Beach Airport and are affected by noise, you can take action by filing complaints, joining community groups, and staying informed about the lawsuit’s progress. The outcome will shape the future of airport noise enforcement in Long Beach and possibly across the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Noise ordinance → A legal rule limiting aircraft noise during specific hours to protect neighborhood peace.
Taxi-back operation → A training flight maneuver where planes taxi on runway without full takeoff, not banned explicitly.
Flight school → An institution providing pilot training, often operating small aircraft near airports like Long Beach.
Federal funding → Money from the U.S. government that supports airport operations and infrastructure projects.
Los Angeles County Superior Court → The regional court handling legal disputes like the Long Beach noise ordinance lawsuit.
This Article in a Nutshell
Long Beach residents sued the city in June 2025 over failure to enforce airport noise rules, targeting “taxi-back” training flights at night that disrupt communities near Long Beach Airport and harm quality of life, sparking a contentious legal and funding challenge with broad implications for airport noise regulation nationally.
— By VisaVerge.com
