CASE STUDY ALERT! Couple relocating from San Francisco to LA get flight path surprise..

Location: Los Angeles Suburbs
Buyer: Couple relocating from San Francisco
Property Type: 4-bedroom semi-detached
Initial Impressions: Quiet cul-de-sac, leafy streets, strong local amenities

🏡 A Dream Move with Hidden Surprises

When Sarah and Tom decided to move from San Francisco to the outskirts of Los Angeles, they were eager to embrace suburban living. Their new home was in a quiet cul-de-sac, close to excellent schools, and offered far more space than what they could afford in the Bay Area.

They visited the home twice—once on a weekday afternoon and again during a quiet Sunday morning. Both times were peaceful, and with no planes overhead, the couple assumed noise wouldn’t be an issue. Confident in their decision, they made an offer and were soon packing their bags.

✈️ The Daily Reality of Flight Paths

Within days of settling in, they noticed an unexpected rhythm to their new life—one defined by the frequent roar of low-flying aircraft. Planes began flying over as early as 6 a.m., with a noticeable uptick during commute hours and late evenings. It wasn't just background noise; it was a major disruption.

At first, they assumed it was temporary—perhaps a change in flight routes or a rare air traffic rerouting. But the pattern continued, and they began to realize they were directly under one of LAX’s busy approach paths.

Zoom meetings had to be paused. Outdoor dinners were cut short. Their excitement over the garden space quickly faded as aircraft noise became the soundtrack to their daily lives.

📊 Turning to Data for Clarity

Frustrated, Sarah stumbled upon My Flight Path while searching for answers online. She ordered a Flight Blight Report for their new address, hoping for more than just confirmation of what they were already experiencing.

The results were eye-opening. Their home scored a 78 out of 100, indicating substantial exposure to overhead aircraft. Charts in the report detailed flight activity by hour, day, and aircraft altitude. It became clear that their location—just north of the main LAX landing corridor—was significantly affected during prevailing westerly wind conditions, which occur most of the year in Los Angeles.

They were also surprised to learn they were in a “flip zone”—an area used heavily during changes in wind direction, making aircraft noise highly variable and unpredictable.

💡 Lessons Learned and Future Proofing

While they couldn’t undo the purchase, the report gave them insight and a plan. They invested in high-quality acoustic insulation for key rooms and planted denser hedging along their yard perimeter. Most importantly, they knew to consult My Flight Path for any future home decisions.

“We wish we’d known about this earlier,” said Tom. “It should be part of the standard checklist—just like checking school ratings or crime stats.”

They now advise every home-hunting friend to get a flight path report before committing to a purchase

American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)

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