Dan's Papers - December 21, 2007 - It Looks Like A Helicopter Compromise!

In a deal brokered by United States Senator Chuck Schumer, helicopters flying out to the North Fork and the East End will voluntarily fly at least at an altitude of 2500 feet instead of the usual 500-600 feet that has caused so many complaints about noise. Also in the agreement between local airports and the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, a route that basically follows the North Shore of the Long Island Sound will be used until an overland route has been chosen to pass over areas like the Pine Barrens, which have very little, if any population. In the past year, political forces fostered by Southold Supervisor Scott Russell and Congressman Tim Bishop D-Southampton have been calling for federal legislation to create regulations concerning height and no-fly zones.

A bill was passed authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration to study the situation. In fact, an FAA spokeswoman released a statement that the fine print of this agreement will not be released until this Spring. Many North Fork residents realize this is a step in the right direction, but are still skeptical about whether or not the rich and powerful, when in a hurry or delayed, will instruct helicopter pilots to take the shortcut low and directly over land.

Others have taken a wait and see attitude, hoping that the noise situation will finally be resolved. It was reported that helicopter trade groups such as the helicopter council are already asking Long Island helicopters to abide by the new guidelines. Many prefer this approach to a mandated federal law with the teeth to fine, and suspend or pull, licenses.

With the increasing number of flights yearly, something had to be done. For example, between May and August 2006 in East Hampton alone, there were 3,536 flights (meaning take-offs or landings). By May-August 2007, that number jumped to 4,073, an increase of over 14%. Grabeski Airport in Westhampton had a 14% increase also, going from 1,416 landings and take-offs in 2006 to 1,948 in 2007. Too many of these flights were at an altitude of 500-600 feet, which at times seemed to some residents like the helicopter was flying through the upstairs of the house. A banking executive who did not want to be named, who commutes to his vacationing family in their Southold home, complained of class warfare.

After hearing some of the facts of what happens to too many families when a helicopter flies over so low he became more sympathetic, however. Scott Russell is taking a wait and see approach, claiming that agreement in the past where not effective enough. Jim Brundige, the manager of East Hampton Airport, supports the agreement and will use his influence to get and keep pilots abiding by the agreement. North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Keiman is still on the fence. Reportedly he thinks the chances are 50-50 the pilots will abide by the rules of the agreement.

So come this Spring, when the helicopter traffic picks up and the new guidelines of the agreement between the local airports, the helicopter pilots, their companies and the FAA are released, a moment of critical mass will come for this issue, which has been a growing problem.

Not many believe self-policing is ever really that effective, while others believe that Senator Schumer has a reputation for getting things done. It comes down to how noticeable the new regulations for helicopters along the North Fork and East End will be for residents.

Perhaps the era of weekend barbecues being interrupted by the sounds of a helicopter equal to the beginning of the TV series MASH will no longer be at hand. Of course, the other side to all of this is we should feel lucky to have this problem. After all, the people who ride the helicopters are also the people that help keep our excellent economy here going.