Schumer Finds Another Microphone
He's at it again. New
York Senator Chuck Schumer -- who in the past year alone
spearheaded restrictions on low-level flights around
Manhattan, and, oh yeah, called for now-former FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey's head on a platter -- is making more
noise against general aviation.
In fact, the issue IS noise -- helicopter noise, from choppers
flying over Long Island. The senator (right) told Newsday he will
hold a meeting Tuesday night among FAA officials, helo operators
and managers of area airports, to find a way to curb noise
complaints from local residents.
"It's as bad as ever, from Floral Park all the way to the East
End," Schumer said of noise from helicopters, which are used by --
among others -- tour groups, medevac crews, and news stations.
"We're bringing people together to find a solution."
The rate of helicopter departures from East Hampton Airport and
Gabreski Airport reached record levels this summer, according to
airport documents. Not surprisingly, complaints from area residents
-- many of them with shallower roots to the community than the
airports -- rose accordingly.
"We traded being in the landing pattern of JFK, where we had
747s flying over our head, to being in the flight patterns of
helicopters flying a thousand feet over our head on their way to
the Hamptons," said video producer Chris Cooper, who says he moved
from Baldwin to Smithtown two years ago to find "a more serene
place to live."
"It gets to be so loud you have to yell at each other just to
have a conversation," added Sag Harbor resident Charles Neuman.
Schumer is calling for voluntary restrictions on helicopter
flight paths... including pushing departure and arrival routes out
over the Atlantic Ocean, or over Long Island Sound. He also wants
helos to fly at a minimum of 3,000 feet AGL when operating away
from the airports.
Bruce Rogoff, CEO of charter operator HeliFlite Shares, says
pilots already try to fly between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, and avoid
populated areas whenever possible.
"You try to do the shortest distance between two points," Rogoff
said. "You also want to do it as considerately as you can."
Schumer proclaims if that were true, there would not be so many
complaints -- 3,000 for East Hampton Airport in 2006 alone. The
senator wants the FAA to step in, and regulate helo operators.
Ominously, some communities have already taken matters into
their own hands. Lawmakers in Southold have proposed laws forcing
helos to fly above 3,000 feet overhead... and supervisor Scott
Russell said the town police department is prepared to enforce
those rules, if enacted.
"My community can't be ignored anymore," Russell said.
If that sent a shiver down your spine... you're not alone.