What a complete fool this guy is. Contrary to 'getting what he wants', idiots like this don't. Instead, they live life looking over their shoulder at neighbours who despise them and they spoil relationships with the locals for their wife and kids.
It's plainly lack of intelligence.
You want to start flying a helo from your property? Think, plot and PLAN it.
I've moved house twice in recent years and had to do just that.
So, to help anyone else tempted to follow Mr Griffin's approach and make things more difficult for the rest of us, here's the idiot's guide.
ONE: Move in first. Keep the machine away. Get known first as someone to be liked.
When you move into a community everyone gets a one line label that neighbours use initially when talking of you to someone else. Make sure yours is 'nice guy, runs a xxx company' or similar. DO'NT let it be 'He's got a helicopter'.
TWO: When you first move your machine in, fly a LITTLE. Avoid any pattern of the same time or day a week. A month or two will do.
THREE: Take as many different approach and departure routes as you can and NEVER directly overfly anyone's house.
FOUR: Take the elders of the village flying. In my case and at the last village, taking one wonderful 80 year old lady (who had never flown in anything, ever), had everyone out in their gardens and right down the village street waving. Bet Mr Griffin would kill for that
PR.
FIVE: Offer some use of your machine for free. For example, farmers like to see their fields, neighbours like to see their houses and everyone would like a free photo of their house. This last one happened to me last month and wasn't my idea. I was approached about flying a local amateur photographer, prints available to everyone in the village, donations to the village hall. EVERYONE's happy.
FIVE: Communicate your PASSION for flying and dispel the image that it's an executive toy.
SIX: For heaven's sake BE MODEST.
I don't plot this cynically. People are basically good and if they have fears about noisy machines they don't understand, it's your responsibility to reassure them. You get out of your relationships with neighbours precisely what you put in.
I resent the damage that the Griffin's of this world do to the reputation of helicopters, but in my experience, guys like him won't be flying in ten years time. They'll either have killed themselves with a similarly poor attitude to the discipline of flying, or have moved on to fast bikes or boats. Yes I'm generalising and no I've never met Mr Griffin, but his actions speak very loud. Aviation can do without him.