Poised To Pounce On Aircraft Curfew Issue

The AOPA says its legislative affairs staff is ready for action should an aircraft curfew bill get any traction in Congress. New York City Rep. Joseph Crowley has reintroduced a bill in the House (H.R. 455) that would create a commission to make recommendations to Congress about setting curfews for non-military aircraft flying over "populated areas" during "normal sleeping hours." The bill has been introduced twice since 2001 but never got out of committee.

Crowley has been a very vocal proponent of an 11 p.m. curfew for La Guardia Airport.

"Noise issues at La Guardia are not a compelling reason for airports nationwide to usurp existing FAA regulations concerning the establishment of airport curfews," said Jon Hixson, AOPA vice president of legislative affairs. "AOPA is also concerned that 'populated areas' could apply to flights not associated with a major airport, including quieter piston aircraft operating to and from reliever and general aviation airports in a metropolitan area."

AOPA will tell Congress that the association encourages voluntary noise abatement techniques, including AOPA's "Flying Friendly" program. For more information, see AOPA's issue brief.

FMI: www.aopa.org/whatsnew/la-noise.html