In late 2003, consultants for Bob Hope Airport contacted the FAA, requesting preliminary input on the approach being taken with the Part 161 Study. The FAA responded in May 2004, informing Bob Hope Airport that its proposed curfew appeared to be inconsistent with the FAA's criteria for evaluating proposed operating restrictions under Part 161 of the FAR. However, the FAA made it clear that it was willing to consider other noise abatement and control proposals.

In March 2008, the Airport Commission unveiled a Draft Part 161 Study and Application for a Proposed Curfew that took into account the response from the FAA in 2004.  The Draft Study proposed a 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew and identified benefits from the imposition of the curfew that are greater than the costs, a threshold requirement of the FAA for the Study to receive favorable consideration.

The Airport Commission opened an initial 45-day public comment period running from March 31 through May 14, 2008, and as of May 5, the Authority extended the comment period for an additional 30 days through June 13.  The comment period closed June 13, 2008 and copies of comments received are posted on the AIRPORT AUTHORITY page of this website. 

An update of the Part 161 Application for a Proposed Curfew at Bob Hope Airport was released in January 2009.  Click here for the Executive Summary. The Airport Authority adopted a resolution to submit the revised Study and Application February 2, 2009.

In March 2009, the FAA requested supplemental information, and the Airport Authority submitted revised documentation in May.  The FAA notified the Authority at the end of May that the Study and Application were deemed complete, and that the FAA would either approve or disapprove the proposed curfew by November 1, 2009.

More information about the Part 161Study is available on the AIRPORT AUTHORITY page of this website, including complete Study documentation

Click here to link up with Frequently Asked Questions about the Part 161 Study application.