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Aviation News Item: 10099
28th Jun 2010
Comments Closed On FAA Long Island Helicopter Rule
Source: aviationweek.com
FAA last week officially closed the comment period for a proposal to impose helicopter route restrictions over Long Island, N.Y., despite appeals from industry for a 60-day extension. FAA denied requests from a number of general aviation associations, saying the agency did "not find it in the best interest of the public." The agency adds that it would consider late comments "if at all possible to do so without incurring expense or delay," but also notes that more than 65 others were able to file comments more than a week in advance of the deadline.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which was among the groups pushing for the extension, warned that the proposal "has the potential to be significant locally, but also may have far-reaching implications nationwide." The association told FAA that the complexity of the subject makes it impossible to accurately assess the impact in the 30-day period provided by FAA.
FAA published the notice of proposed rulemaking in May, calling for mandatory use of the New York North Shore Route when flying over Long Island. The route, added to the New York Helicopter Route Chart in 2008, has been voluntary. Since that time, FAA says it has received numerous complaints regarding helicopter noise from residents in the affected area. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and former senator and now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have weighed in as well.
A majority of the early comments stem from residents urging the FAA to at least make the route a requirement. Many, however, sought more restrictions, asking FAA to push helicopter traffic further over water, away from the Long Island communities.
Mark Epley, the mayor of the village of Southampton, says he applauds FAA for the proposal. Epley urged such action last fall, writing to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt about the "unrestricted, uncontrolled helicopter and small plane operations." Epley had urged FAA to restrict operations of helicopters, saying, "The cowboy attitude of many of the pilots and the blatant disregard of their own 'neighborhood friendly' guidelines drive this request."
But some pilots and other citizens opposed the proposal. One licensed helicopter pilot called the proposal unsafe. "Requiring that all helicopters flying one route at one altitude in two different directions, relying on visual guides over water alone creates unsafe congestion and exponentially increases the chances of a midair incident," wrote Walter Gezari.
Gezari also called the action unprecedented, saying FAA has not issued a rule predicated on noise reduction alone, and that the agency failed to undertake an environmental study. He also believes the requirement would increase noise by concentrating the activity.
Photo Credit: Bell Helicopter
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