Opinion: Chopper Council Chair Favors Balanced Air Traffic Over L.I.
In a "Newsday" opinion piece, Jeffrey Smith, chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, suggests that any permanent route is not the way to go.
In an opinion piece on Newsday, the chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, Jeffrey Smith, said that a plan recently suggested by Sen. Charles Schumer to direct helicopters off the North Shore may sound better than the status quo, but would end up being significantly unfair for the residents along the new route.
Schumer has stated that he would like to see new regulation changes set in place before Memorial Day weekend requiring choppers to fly over the water on the North Shore. The Senator has also suggested, for the first time, that the Federal Aviation Administration create a South Shore route.
In a release, Schumer stated the following earlier this month: "The proposed rule would require helicopters to fly over water rather than land and at a high enough altitude to reduce noise when flying over Long Island."
However Smith said more options are better, to limit the amount of helicopters flying over any particular area: "Our ability to implement one of the most effective noise-mitigation tactics -- flight path alteration -- was dramatically limited by the rule changes that went into effect in 2008 ... We support returning to a more diversified route structure -- similar to what was used before 2008. This would help to balance air traffic over the North Shore, central Long Island and some of the South Shore."
Jerry Cibulski
9:02 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The higher the better. I have been walking on the beach and was shocked at how low they come in as the flew over Kennys Beach to head to the South Fork. I am sure a fair and balanced solution can be found. We all want to enjoy the east end.
Concerned
12:59 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The helicopter pilots self regulating their flight paths....right, that will work. This new flight plan is going to concentrate even more flights over the North Fork. The emmissions from these helicopters are poisoning the environment and the noise is polluting our peace. Schumer and Bishop have failed miserably and its clear they have decided to protect the mid island north shore and south fork residents at the expense of the NoFo. we the NoFo must wake up and get organized quickly. We need to lobby environmental groups to join our ranks (where are they on this issue!?) we need to lobby Gov Cuomo, Schumer, Bishop, and we have to become relentless. This will ruin the North Fork like nothing else we face.
Degg
6:44 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Somebody on the North Shore, Glen Cove or Port Washington, said they monitor helicopters by their tail numbers. I would do that too but haven't the luxery because they are directly overhead!
Marie Domenici
8:45 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
It is important for the NF to join the quiet skies coalition at: http://www.quietskiescoalition.org/, both forks must join together as there is strength in unity. Even if you are not in the direct flight path there is an overall impact on the entire community as each flight disperses 2.7 metric tons of CO2. Is it any wonder Suffolk County for the last 12 years received an "F" air quality rating by the American Lung Assocation.