Curfew Is Allowed To Stand, But One-Flight-Per-Week Limit Will Not Be Imposed

A U.S. District Judge in New York has delivered a win-win ... or some might say a lose-lose ... decision on helicopter restrictions at East Hampton Airport.

Judge Joanna Sybert on Friday said that the town of East Hampton could not impose a "one-flight-per-week" limit on helicopter companies ferrying people from New York City to the resort area, but did allow the curfews sought by the town to be enforced. That means no flights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and no departures of the "noisiest" aircraft from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Bloomberg Business reports that East Hampton city attorney Peter Kirsch called the ruling a "ratification of the town board's actions." He said it provides a "road map" for the types of restrictions that can be imposed by municipalities concerned about noise.

The New York Times reports that Judge Seybert said that the Friends of East Hampton Airport ... which includes charter operators, FBOs, and pilots ... demonstrated that its members would "suffer irreparable harm" if the town were allowed to impose the one-flight-per-week limit.

The town had argued that, because they no longer accept federal grants for airport improvements and other operations, the could impose what ever restrictions they felt were necessary to protect the quality of life in the region.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.nyed.uscourts.gov/content/judge-joanna-seybert