Wed, Dec 19, 2007
Operators Will Fly Over Less Populated Areas
It's not exactly peace in our
time... but it should keep New York Senator Chuck Schumer quiet for
awhile. And speaking of peace and quiet, an agreement announced
Monday between helicopter operators on Long Island and citizens
living under area flight paths should mean quieter times ahead,
too.
As ANN reported, Schumer led
the charge in October to restrict helicopter operations over
heavily populated areas of Long Island. The senator called for
voluntary restrictions on helicopter flight paths to combat
noise... including pushing departure and arrival routes out over
the Atlantic Ocean, or over Long Island Sound. He also wanted helos
to fly at a minimum of 3,000 feet AGL when operating away from
airports.
In the agreement -- reached among Schumer, the Eastern Region
Helicopter Council Inc. and two area airports -- helicopters will
climb and descend over Long Island Sound and the Pine Barrens
woodlands, instead of over residential areas. Operators also agreed
to fly at a minimum of 2,500 feet AGL, and officials at the East
Hampton and Gabreski airports said they would monitor noise from
helicopters, and submit frequent incident reports.
"For far too long, helicopter noise has been left to roar
unabated over Long Island communities," Schumer said Monday,
according to The Associated Press. "By coming together, we have
forged an accord that will provide much-needed relief for Long
Islanders, including the necessary checks and compliance measures
to crack down on rogue operators who violate the rules."
A staple for travel around New York and Manhattan for decades,
helicopter flights have become more frequent in recent years as
residents utilized air taxi services to fly to and from the
Hamptons -- leaving residents living below the flight paths as
rattled as their windows.
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