Says The Agency Does Not Have Standing In A Legal Fight Over Airport Use

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has told the FAA they should drop their temporary restraining order to prevent the implementation of new noise restrictions on helicopters at the East Hampton airport.

In a news release, Sen. Schumer said that the FAA should not be involved in the legal battle over the restrictions because the airport no longer receives federal airport funds from the agency.

"The FAA is creating an unnecessary amount of turbulence over control of the East Hampton Airport," Schumer said. "They should honor their prior position on nonintervention and let the Town defend the regulations on their own legal merits.

"The Town of East Hampton is already trying to cope with the challenge of managing aircraft noise, and it doesn't need more background noise from the FAA."

Newsday reports that the agency said it would respond directly to Senator Schumer.

Local officials voted last year to stop receiving funding from the FAA, including AIP grants. In a letter to FAA administrator Michael Huerta, Schumer said at the time that the town had done so intentionally so that they could put new restrictions in place without violating the agency's rules.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.schumer.senate.gov