SAN DIEGO -- The Federal Aviation Administration is scheduled to host the first of two public forums Thursday night on changes to air routes above San Diego starting next month.
The agency says the changes are part of the Southern California Metroplex project, which will replace dozens of existing conventional air routes with satellite-based routes. The FAA says it undertook the project to improve airspace safety and efficiency.
In San Diego, the changes created controversy when residents of Point Loma objected to a departure pattern from Lindbergh Field that would create additional jet noise. Last month, Supervisor Greg Cox said the FAA rejected the proposed route that caused the most concern.
The meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Corky McMillan Conference Center in Liberty Station, will cover routes involving Lindbergh Field, McClellan-Palomar Airport, Brown Field and Naval Air Station North Island.
The FAA said briefings will be held in an open-house format, where people can attend anytime during the three-hour window to learn about the changes. FAA representatives will provide information on the project and be available to answer questions.
A second area meeting, about the same airports, is scheduled Tuesday in Spring Valley.
