US Senator Charles Schumer is proposing a bill to require helicopters to remain overwater, and not to fly over residential properties
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LongIsland.com:
Legislation Could Curb Helicopter Traffic Over Residential Areas
To combat helicopter traffic, Senator Charles Schumer recently held a press conference where he announced his intention to submit legislation regulating helicopter traffic over residential properties. He proposes that all helicopter traffic fly over water only. The senator stated that helicopter traffic to the Hamptons has increased exponentially each year, a 30 percent increase this year over last year. It was reported more than 2,200 flights registered at Southampton Airport this year already. Senator Schumer wants a study conducted and, within 90 days, the findings of that report. He knows these flyovers affect the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of residents under the fly paths.
According to the senator, helicopters have no minimum altitude requirements when en route, although they must maintain safe clearance from obstructions on the ground. In areas where airspace is congested, especially near commercial airports, the senator continued, the FAA does have some specified routes and altitude requirements designed to keep larger aircraft and helicopters at a safe distance. Helicopter pilots must comply with these prescribed routes or altitudes in certain areas.
Senator Schumer's legislation also requires the FAA to study the possibility of requiring helicopter lanes over Long Island and whether or not to impose an altitude floor to force helicopters high enough to be out of earshot. The senator was expected to push his legislation as an amendment to the 2007 FAA Reauthorization bill, to be considered on the Senate floor.
Senator Schumer believes the best way to reduce helicopter noise over Long Island's residential communities is for the FAA to establish an islandwide series of helicopter flight corridors that would divert aircraft away from homes, to preferably over the water. Schumer noted that emergency and news helicopters would certainly be exempt from any rules and regulations in an emergency.
"Helicopter noise turns beautiful summers on Long Island into the ultimate headache. Long Islanders are constantly interrupted in their homes and their communities when helicopters can just as easily fly over water where they wouldn't be a burden," he said.