Says Noise Is Too Much -- They Should Fly Over Water

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) says enough is enough -- low-flying helicopters over Long Island have to go.

"Tens of thousands of Long Islanders are affected by this phenomenon. It’s annoying and disruptive," Schumer said, quoted in the Suffolk Life newspaper. "The helicopter companies should be routed to fly over the water."

Schumer has written FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, demanding the airspace over Long Island be redesigned to incorporate such a change.

The New York senator doesn't think asking helicopter pilots to fly over water is a problem.

"If helicopters have to add a few extra minutes onto their flight by flying over water, so be it," he said. "There’s no reason [the FAA] shouldn't [enact the proposed legislation]."

Schumer, along with Brookhaven Town Supervisor John LaVelle, spoke to reporters from the backyard of a neighborhood activist who was fed up with noise from low-flying helos.

Not one flew over the woman's yard during the entire news conference, according to the Suffolk Life.

"We need to look at this from a perspective of homeland security," LaValle said. "There is no question that it is an issue when we're dealing with things in flight."

Schumer wants Blakey to incorporate Long Island noise abatement procedures as part of the overdue redesign of the airspace over New York City.

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