Business and ‘Hush’ Kits

Re “Van Nuys Airport Business Sector Flying High,” Sept. 15.

Ask the same people who are telling you how wonderful business is (about the increased flights, jobs and revenue) why Stage 2 jets are not being fitted with “hush” kits to make them quieter. “Oh, that’s too expensive; we can’t afford it,” you’ll hear. Or, “Gee, we’d love to but the technology doesn’t exist for that particular plane.”

Rather than being allowed to exceed state noise limits, those planes should be muffled to the full extent. Technology has a way of meeting demand; as soon as operators demand them, hush kits will appear. The problem is, those owners and operators are not interested in being good neighbors. They just want to make money. As with other industries, we must require them to be good neighbors by insisting on achievable pollution levels.

Let them make the investment in their equipment now, while times are good. Require visiting Stage 2 planes to meet noise standards and they will buy the hush kits too. Surely someone has to be paid to install the upgrades. Wouldn’t that be a boost for business at the airport?

JIM HOUGHTON

Encino