Autumn, sky, grasses, leaves
We Fly High

October 20, 2009

Voluntary methods succeedERHC Logo

NYC-region helicopter pilots again proved the value of public working directly with ERHC for quick and effective results. Learn more in the NYC region section.

Welcome to Fly Neighborly

This site is dedicated to education and communication on the topic of neighborly flying by helicopter pilots. Founded as an outreach effort by the Eastern Region Helicopter Council in early 2008, our focus is on the NYC area including Long Island, but we welcome other regions to take part in this site.

Please explore the main topic areas linked above, and the subordinate topics of each, linked on the left.

Let's continue the good will into 2009

ERHC made many good contacts during Summer 2008, gaining much useful insight into concerns of Long Islanders. We look forward to continuing to work together in future years for our mutual success and happiness.

Operators achieve high rates of success

NYC-area professional helicopter pilots showed exemplary neighborliness over Summer 2008, as we have over decades of caring flight. For a bit of perspective, consider the following background that led to the achievements.

In early 2007, operators, FAA, and communties got together to agree to voluntarily fly less along the Track route past JFK airport to address community concerns expressed in 2006. The next best alternative for summer flights to eastern Long Island was as high as possible over LGA and the north shore of LI.

A new route was placed on the helicopter route chart and over the summer of 2008, helicopter traffic measured in detail on two holiday weekends showed over 90% compliance with recommendations. Detailed evaluation of over 2,000 flights in track and altitude on the voluntary noise abatement routings at the most popular destination, East Hampton airport (HTO), showed 83% of flights on or not applicable in track, and 68% in altitude.

The leading helicopter operator at HTO achieved over 90% in track and altitude on over 600 monitored flights. Special Advisor Robert Grotell attended over 40 meetings, plus, provided personal and written testimony to numerous public officials at numerous public hearings.

Learn more about our efforts on the LI page at erhc.org

Thanks for the dialog, Jeff Smith, Chairman, ERHC