SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
Visit the NYC Region page for news of current initiatives and activities, such as: "East End high season winding down", September 2, 2008.
AUGUST 6, 2008
Pilots doing as asked along LI
Message for North Fork residents
We continue to hear complaints from the residents along Long Island's North Fork on the east end. Mostly the complaints are about volume of traffic, concentrated on certain days.
Such a perceived increase is evidence that pilots are flying neighborly. For pilots leaving NYC for the east end, there is really only one good flight path that allows us to fly as high as possible, and that is over LaGuardia then over water or high over land to the start points of the voluntary noise abatement routes established by east end airports.
In the case of East Hampton airport, pilots are asked to fly inbound over Peconic Bay, between Shelter Island and North Haven, to Northwest Harbor County Park then the airport. Outbound, pilots follow the power lines out towards Jessups Neck. In the summer heat, and with full loads, some helicopters climb slowly on this path. The alternate is in or out via Georgica Pond, south of the airport.
It should be noted that ERHC is receiving almost no complaints from the south shore of LI. Again, this is possible evidence that the bulk of flying is following the path that allows the highest altitudes and thus most friendly path. Air Traffic Control does not allow pilots to fly as high past JFK as they do LGA, hence the preference for going via LGA.
Clearing up misconceptions
Overall, ERHC receives complaints, via this site and our toll-free line, as well as the Nassau county 311 system, that report helicopters overhead and express antagonism towards our industry. The anger does not help but your location helps us try to figure out what is occurring. We need LIers to better understand the whole picture as part of our commitment to balanced, practical solutions.
There is a lingering public impression that our agreement with airports mandates helicopters to fly over the sound at 2,500' or higher. This impression is not true, but we can see how it occurred, as public officials have twisted the document to their political interests, and news media report politicians' lively statements, true or not. The new north shore route, on the NY helicopter route chart, "will divert a portion of pre-existing North Shore traffic over the Long Island Sound, rather than over land", says the agreement (many pilots have chosen to fly high over the sound for years now). How politicians misread this, we have no idea. Their representatives were at the meetings where the route was discussed, devised, and the limitations of this busy airspace were addressed. Please seek the truth.
FAA is exclusive regulator of the air
The FAA regulates the airspace, and over LI, portions are designed to allow pilots of all aircraft the freedom they need to make efficient use of the national airspace system. Our detailed, time consuming studies have shown vast compliance with the agreement, and our site visits have also shown 100% compliant helicopter flying. We even had the opportunity to cross-check one angry complaint with a information that showed the aircraft exceeding the suggested altitude. Complaints about flights that are voluntarily flying higher than required by law, industry best practice, and this agreement, cannot be counted as strikes against us. Politicians continue to count raw numbers of complaints as convictions, which is unfair both to residents and this industry.
Finally, localities on Long Island have proposed local legislation to bar or limit overflight of their towns and impose fines or jail for pilots. Such legislation or discussion gives false hope to citizens, as localities are preempted by the federal government on issues of airspace regulation.
Still, ERHC sympathizes with the underlying issues that drive such legislation. As we have seen this summer, ERHC is in the best position to provided now-term, fair and balanced relief for communities. The recommended procedures we worked out with airports and FAA are being followed at a very high rate, showing the effectiveness of this method. So we are glad to work with reasonable community leaders in developing solutions.
Neighborly is normal
Neighborly flying has been a routine part of flying here in the NYC region for over 25 years. This year's efforts are getting a higher public profile and more notoriety, but pilots and airports around the region can tell you that professional helicopter pilots routinely do the right thing. When we hear community feedback, we respond as best and quickly as we can.
Find out more
Please visit the "Learn" pages to find out about aviation, helicopter flights and more. Explore the other sections, to CONTACT us and file a complaint, a compliment, or congratulations, learn what the aerospace industry is doing about sound and emissions for the FUTURE, and if you're a pilot, find out how to help in FOR PILOTS.
Our pledge to you is to provide the most timely and transparent information we can. Aviation is full of friendly, helpful people who are eager share the joy and sense of freedom flight provides.
While we begin with the specifics of helicopter operations in and around New York City, much of the information applies no matter where you live or fly. Look for other regions to add pages in the future for their locality.
The professional helicopter operators in our area, many of whom are our members, are some of the safest and most professional in the business, and have been unfairly portrayed in news media. We hope to bring balance to this ongoing conversation.
Please send feedback. Thank you.
Sincerely, David Nuss, Chairman of ERHC