US Senator to ban heli flights
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Chief Bottle Washer
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From: PPRuNe
US Senator to ban heli flights
US Senator Charles Schumer is proposing a bill to require helicopters to remain overwater, and not to fly over residential properties 
Link to LongIsland.com:
Link to 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.
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.
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From: Over here
Well, it appears that the offenders are probably Long Island residents, or at least renters. When there is that much money that close together, squabbles will result. I'm trying very hard to care, really I am, but I just can't quite get it done. 
Joined: May 2007
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From: Spain
I think I care less than you Gomer. However, I just hope he doesn´t try to send choppers further out sea than safe gliding distance... 
And also hope he doesn´t need a med-evac never-ever after getting the bill approved.
And also hope he doesn´t need a med-evac never-ever after getting the bill approved.
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: middle east
I thought OZ pollies came up with silly ideas to win votes! I wonder what the good (?) senator will do if ever he, or his family/friends, needs EMS or Police support.
Helicopters are getting quieter, and more useful, with each generation
Sorry senator, helicopters are here to stay, even if the odd pilot is an idiot with no manners.
Helicopters are getting quieter, and more useful, with each generation
Sorry senator, helicopters are here to stay, even if the odd pilot is an idiot with no manners.
Joined: May 2002
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From: Downeast
I wish Chuckie was far enough away to be beyond hearing!
Another case of the liberal left looking out for the great mass of unwashed peasants......center digit upraised on both hands Senator!
Another case of the liberal left looking out for the great mass of unwashed peasants......center digit upraised on both hands Senator!
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From: lake providence, la.
It seems that they (congress) have got a little idle time on their hands. They must have had a very productive session yesterday morning and got all the important stuff worked out. After all that important stuff: illegal imigration, FAA funding, permanent tax reductions, etc..., they simply had a little time left before they clocked out so they decided to tackle this little insignificant detail of helicopters messing up their crawfish boils.
SASless, them yanks, they do eat crawfish, don't they?
barryb
They must have had a very productive session yesterday morning and got all the important stuff worked out. After all that important stuff: illegal imigration, FAA funding, permanent tax reductions, etc..., they simply had a little time left before they clocked out so they decided to tackle this little insignificant detail of helicopters messing up their crawfish boils. SASless, them yanks, they do eat crawfish, don't they?
barryb
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: calcutta, black hole of
Next he'll want all helicopters to reduce their carbon footprint.
Unfortunately he has made their carbon footprint increase BECAUSE he has forced them to fly over water thereby increasing the distance they have to fly from A to B.
Idiot.
Unfortunately he has made their carbon footprint increase BECAUSE he has forced them to fly over water thereby increasing the distance they have to fly from A to B.
Idiot.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
So this is an indication of the intellectual level of the legislature of the USA?
Check this. On the news today 1/3 of the political council of Atlantic City, New Jersey are either under indictment or in prison. and we are worried about the poor soles in Gitmo...
I say take these politicians out on Saturday Morning and place them against the wall. After a few get smoked, maybe some will either choose another profession or quit being corrupt. If they dont, we have plenty of walls.
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Florida
Money is the mother's milk of politics-Jesse Unruh
Charles Schumer is doing his most important task. He is catering to the whims of his wealthiest contributors. When Thurston Howell III calls to say that Lovey's souffle has fallen because of a noisy helicopter you can bet Schumer will be all over it.
And as much as I would like to take this liberal Democrat to task he is doing what they all do to stay in power. Is it corrupt? Where is the line?
And as much as I would like to take this liberal Democrat to task he is doing what they all do to stay in power. Is it corrupt? Where is the line?
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Florida
who cares
Everyone seems to be up in arms about nothing. We do ourselves no good
by ranting and raving about it. Does anyone actually live there? I fly a helicopter for a living, but I wouldn't want them flying over my house all summer, either. All he is proposing is reducing the noise footprint
by using helicopter routes. If there's that much traffic, it would actually
benefit operators, if you asked me. Here we go!
by ranting and raving about it. Does anyone actually live there? I fly a helicopter for a living, but I wouldn't want them flying over my house all summer, either. All he is proposing is reducing the noise footprint
by using helicopter routes. If there's that much traffic, it would actually
benefit operators, if you asked me. Here we go!
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Chief Bottle Washer
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From: PPRuNe
helonorth,
I suspect that you assume the Senator's proposal is limited to the Hamptons. If I have read it correctly, it is for the whole of the USA, and simply cites Long Island as an example.
Does that color your view any differently?
I suspect that you assume the Senator's proposal is limited to the Hamptons. If I have read it correctly, it is for the whole of the USA, and simply cites Long Island as an example.
Does that color your view any differently?
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From: Over here
I see nothing that indicates the requirement would be anywhere other than the Hamptons. There are required routes in many places, and I see no problem with one more. I fail to see how one leaps from requiring routes in a specific location to 'ban'.
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From: By the A&P
It is absolutely not for the whole USA. Only Long Island. It wouldn't be difficult at all to have a North Shore and South Shore route with several "cross streets" connecting the two with the mid-island airports. Voila!