Long Islanders need to oppose the Federal Aviation Administration rulemaking to mandate helicopters fly off the North Shore enroute to eastern parts of Long Island. (Docket Number FAA-2010-0302) There will be a disproportionate volume of helicopter activity over the Town of North Hempstead communities of Great Neck, Kings Point, Locust Valley, Manhasset, Oyster Bay, Port Washington, Roslyn, and Sands Point as well as the City of Glen Cove because helicopter operators will have no option but to overfly these areas as they transit to/from a mandated North Shore Route.
Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) has and will continue to work with elected officials, community groups and residents who are interested in pursuing fair and equitable solutions in addressing Long Island helicopter noise concerns.
We take issue with the continued misrepresentation that the ERHC voluntary noise abatement procedures and guidelines are ineffective and are “being largely ignored” by the local helicopter industry. For nearly three years, pursuant to ERHC’s Continued Cooperation and Compliance Agreement with the East End airports ERHC’s member operators and pilots are adhering to the guidelines and have made significant progress in addressing Long Island helicopter noise issues.
By working cooperatively to solve Long Island’s helicopter noise issues, ERHC members can adjust routes to meet the needs of communities. The proposed FAA rule will take away this flexibility and cast in cement the flight patterns over these Long Island communities.
Jeffery Smith
Chairman Eastern Region Helicopter Council
