Federal Aviation Administration Renews North Shore Helicopter Route

The Federal Aviation Administration has renewed its two-year North Shore helicopter route, according to a press release from U.S. Representative Tim Bishop’s office on Friday.

The mandated route, which requires helicopters to fly over the Long Island Sound instead of across land, was slated to sunset in August. However, lawmakers said it has been successful in curbing helicopter noise.

“Luckily for Long Island residents, the beginning of August will not also mean the return of onerous helicopter noise that once interrupted dinners, disrupted people enjoying their backyards and had an effect on quality of life and on property values,” U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said.

The Department of Transportation created regulations in 2012 that require pilots to fly between navigational points in Huntington and Orient Point, one mile off the north shore. Those who deviate from the route, except for safety or weather reasons, or if they’re transitioning from a takeoff or landing, can be fined or have their licenses revoked.

Since the route’s introduction as voluntary in 2008, complaints about helicopter noise on Long Island decreased in number, but not everywhere. Some residents in Mattituck have faced the same experience of those who live near East Hampton Airport. The noise has continued to be a problem.

Despite the pleas of Mattituck residents for a different route that would require pilots to fly around Orient Point and Shelter Island so as not to fly across the North Fork, the FAA has not yet made that change.

However, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Schumer said they will continue to push for that expansion.

“I am pleased the FAA has announced its intention to extend the North Shore route in order to protect Suffolk County residents from helicopter noise as Senator Schumer and I have advocated,” Mr. Bishop said. “I thank the FAA for acting to protect homeowners, and it is my sincere hope that the FAA will continue to review ways to minimize the reach of noise pollution.”

Source:  http://www.27east.com