Tuesday, September 13, 2011

New York: Helicopters Try Out Proposed South Shore Route

The East Hampton Press
By Colleen Reynolds Sep 13, 2011 1:08 PM
Sep 13, 2011 1:19 PM

A helicopter ran two test flights on Tuesday of a proposed new route for choppers flying between New York and the East End that Federal Aviation Administration and local officials hope will abate aircraft noise over East End homes, a bone of contention among many residents.

Data collected from Tuesday’s flights will be sent to New York Terminal Radar Approach Control, which oversees the airspace in the New York area, for evaluation that will be used in implementing the new plans, David Peterson, operational implementation manager for satellite navigation for the FAA, said as he awaited the chopper’s arrival in Southampton Village on Tuesday. There is no firm time frame as to when the plan could be enacted, he added.

Dubbed the South Shore Noise Abatement Route, or South Shore Route, the plan seeks to direct helicopter traffic into a defined route over water and away from residential areas.

On Tuesday, the chopper crossed over the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays and flew above Shinnecock Bay before landing at the helipad on Meadow Lane. Helicopters headed to East Hampton would fly over Georgica Pond.

Previously, helicopters had voluntary routes, which meant they could fly pretty much anywhere, noted Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley. Often, that meant they would fly close enough over homes to rattle residents. Those who live near the helipad on Meadow Lane have complained about helicopter noise, but the issue has been particularly acute in East Hampton, where residents have banded together to form a group called Citizens Alliance to Cancel Helicopters.

The proposed eastbound route would take choppers along the South Shore of Long Island, at about 3,000 feet above sea level, while the proposed westbound route would take choppers along the South Shore at about 2,000 feet above sea level. Currently, helicopters predominantly fly over the North Shore.

The FAA also plans to use satellite technology to better guide the helicopters to their landing sites, according to Mr. Peterson. It would also steer them away from using the lighting of houses to gauge their location, he said.

The new flight plans stem from meetings between FAA officials and a Multi-Town Helicopter Advisory Committee comprising representatives from East End towns.

http://www.27east.com

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