Helicopter flight school at Pease raises concerns: Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (KPSM), New Hampshire

PORTSMOUTH — A proposal to bring a helicopter flight school and charter service to Pease International Tradeport is being met with turbulence from some in the community.

Seacoast Helicopters, a limited liability company, has applied to the Pease Development Authority to provide flight instruction and air charter services at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. The PDA board of directors is slated to vote on the proposal today.

The application, filed by company founder Bruce Cultrera of Mont Vernon, indicates the company has subleased space from Port City Air and plans to provide primary and advanced helicopter flight instruction, as well as air charter operations including scenic tours and air taxi.

"Seacoast Helicopters is being formed as a private company, offering helicopter services to student pilots and tourists," according to Cultrera's proposal.

The company will use Robinson helicopters, which Cultrera said are "renowned for their reliability, safety and ease of maintenance." The business is proposing to offer services seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

While a review of the application by Pease officials indicates the proposal meets minimum standards for flight instruction and air charter service, some officials expressed concern with the potential effects the service could have on surrounding communities.

Concerns surfaced earlier this week during a meeting of the PDA's Airport Committee.

Committee member Margaret Lamson, who is also a member of the PDA board of directors, said she believes the proposal needs further vetting before the full PDA board can act. As the Newington representative to the PDA board, Lamson said she wants the public to have a chance to weigh in on the proposal due to the potential noise the helicopters could create.

"I have a responsibility to the town of Newington, but I also have a responsibility to our neighbors," she said.

Lamson said she wants the proposal to go before the PDA Noise Compatibility Committee before it moves forward.

City Manager John Bohenko, who attended the meeting, said he also believes the proposal should be discussed further. Bohenko, a PDA board member, said while he has yet to make up his mind on the proposal, he agrees the noise committee should review it.

"I have not taken a position either way," he said.

Source:   http://www.seacoastonline.com