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.

FMI: http://schumer.senate.gov/, www.faa.gov