Some In The Golden Bear State Hope To Impose Similar Restrictions

Specific flight corridors for helicopter flights over Long Island, NY, have some in California hoping they can convince the FAA to impose similar restrictions in their state.

Rules which took effect August 6th require helicopters to fly routes largely over water at an altitude of at least 2,500 feet off the north shore of Long Island. The rules were the result of complaints from Long Island residents about what they often called "flying limousines" ferrying people from New York to such places as the Hamptons. The rules were championed by Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, who said earlier this year that "Long Island will not continue to be the Wild West for low-flying, disruptive and noisy helicopters."

The Connecticut Post reports that lawmakers in California have been keeping an eye on the situation as it unfolded in New York. Some have been trying to convince the FAA to establish similar corridors in the Los Angeles area, but have run into heavy opposition from the helicopter and business aviation industry.

The New York corridors were established by the FAA, not Congress. Aircraft operating in public safety roles are exempt from the rules, and pilots may deviate from the corridors because of weather, or during takeoffs and landings.

Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson told the paper that while the company understands the noise concerns, crowding every helicopter into a single route could present safety concerns of a different kind.

FMI: www.faa.gov