[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by tvbound

My first flight out of John Wayne Airport in SoCal about 30 years ago, was quite the experience. After feeling like we were going straight up at takeoff, all of a sudden the engines lost power. I would swear we were going to crash. It turned out though, that what was happening was because of a local noise ordinance. I've since become used to flying out of there - kind of.

Steep takeoffs land JWA on ‘scariest airports’ list – Orange County Register

You feel the nose lifting up, and up, and up. Air carriers leave John Wayne at an angle of between 20 and 25 degrees, according to several accounts. That’s about twice as steep as the departure from other airports, often around 10 to 15 degrees.

Shortly after takeoff, you might feel a sudden sinking sensation. The pilot has just cut engine power by up to 15 percent, from the full blast of takeoff to the steady drive of the climb.

I flew out of John Wayne at least twice a month for almost thirty years. The first time shook me up, too. They almost aways announced what would happen but forgot to do so every once in a while which freaked out some first timers taking off from SNA.

For a few years I owned a house under the flight path and had to put telephone conversations on hold when a plane was taking off overhead. Sold that house!

Although their flight paths are strictly controlled and pilots are supposed to get well out over the Pacific before they turn the plane some pilots cheat. People can call and complain. GA Noise Abatement | John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA), Located in Southern California - official website