Says That North Shore Route Creates Congestion, Safety Hazards

In a story posted on ANN last week, New York Senator Charles Schumer (D) said that he expects the FAA to impose a helicopter flight corridor which would push traffic over the water as it transited north of New York City.

Jeff Smith, Chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC), sent a statement to ANN in the form of an e-mail, responding to Senator Schumer's comments.

"At Senator Schumer's request, in 2007 we agreed to follow the North Shore route," Smith wrote. "Unfortunately, this restricted flight plan resulted in a highly concentrated and condensed flight pattern for all helicopters over the North Shore. This in turn created a higher frequency of noise for those residents affected and dramatically exacerbated the existing noise concerns.

"Today's action makes a fixable problem permanent and gives North Shore residents no options, solutions or relief. In addition, nowhere in the national airspace system does the FAA mandate that a certain type of aircraft fly in the same space. This is a misguided plan on every level. The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) continues to strongly recommend reinstating a diversified route structure that will distribute activity more evenly between the North Shore, the center of the Island and the South Shore and alleviate the increase of helicopter traffic over one area. We call on the FAA and Senator Schumer to come to their senses and reverse course before more residents are negatively affected."

Spokesperson Brittany Toscano said the ERHC has been extremely involved in working to find fair and equitable solutions to the challenges facing both the residents of Long Island and the helicopter industry; and the ERHC has been fighting against the highly contested North Shore Route for years.

FMI: www.erhc.org