Operators Will Fly Over Less Populated Areas

It's not exactly peace in our time... but it should keep New York Senator Chuck Schumer quiet for awhile. And speaking of peace and quiet, an agreement announced Monday between helicopter operators on Long Island and citizens living under area flight paths should mean quieter times ahead, too.

As ANN reported, Schumer led the charge in October to restrict helicopter operations over heavily populated areas of Long Island. The senator called for voluntary restrictions on helicopter flight paths to combat noise... including pushing departure and arrival routes out over the Atlantic Ocean, or over Long Island Sound. He also wanted helos to fly at a minimum of 3,000 feet AGL when operating away from airports.

In the agreement -- reached among Schumer, the Eastern Region Helicopter Council Inc. and two area airports -- helicopters will climb and descend over Long Island Sound and the Pine Barrens woodlands, instead of over residential areas. Operators also agreed to fly at a minimum of 2,500 feet AGL, and officials at the East Hampton and Gabreski airports said they would monitor noise from helicopters, and submit frequent incident reports.

"For far too long, helicopter noise has been left to roar unabated over Long Island communities," Schumer said Monday, according to The Associated Press. "By coming together, we have forged an accord that will provide much-needed relief for Long Islanders, including the necessary checks and compliance measures to crack down on rogue operators who violate the rules."

A staple for travel around New York and Manhattan for decades, helicopter flights have become more frequent in recent years as residents utilized air taxi services to fly to and from the Hamptons -- leaving residents living below the flight paths as rattled as their windows.

FMI: http://schumer.senate.gov/, http://www.erhc.org/