To: Interested Parties - Helicopter Noise
From: Gerald A. Silver, Pres. Homeowners of Encino National Helicopter Noise Coalition/Stop the Noise Coalition!
I attended the above hearing and would like to share a few brief comments on the subject.
The hearing was convened at 8:30 am at the FAA headquarters on 10/20/2000
The meeing was chaired by Sandy Liu, FAA Noise Team Leader.
Partial list of attendees:
Community reps.:
Marnie Mueller - NYC Helo. Coalition - marniemueller@mindspring.com David Rankell - Sherman Oaks Home. Assn - sohadavid@juno.com Bruce Sherman - Weehawkeen, NJ Environment Comm. - weeenvcom.aol.com Gerald A. Silver, Pres. Nat. Helo. Noise Coalition - gsilver@sprintmail.com
Others in attendance:
Donald C. Auerbach - Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney - donald.auerbach@mail.house.gov Irene Howie - Air Methods Corp.
Pat Mallin - Whisper Jet Corp.
Lisette Morton - Rep. Jerrold L. Nadler - Lisette.Morton@mail.house.gov Chris Roof - DOT Volpe Center Mathew Zuccaro - Eastern Region Helo. Council Others ....
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The following agenda was distributed at the hearing:
FAA Public Workshop (#2) Nonmilitary Helicopter Noise Study (AIR-21: Section 747) FAA Headquarters Washington, DC October 20, 2000
AGENDA
"Welcoming Remarks" Paul Dykeman, Deputy Director of Environment & Energy
Workshop Administration - Sandy Liu, AEE-100 Noise Team Leader
Overview of FAA Study of Section 747:
. Study Team Introductions - Technical Support: P.Schomer, J.Wilby & Volpe Team (AEE, ATS, AFS, AGC) . Study Process . FAA/Volpe Noise Testing . Preliminary Issues (To-date)
Review Comments (individually from Comment 34 to 64)
Format:
. Summarize major concerns/findings to be emphasize (sic) to Congress given written comment submitted (2 - 4 minutes limit)
Break for Lunch
Review Comments (continue as necessary)
Closing Remarks - Sandy Liu . Updated Status available on AEE Website
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A few brief comments on the hearing by Gerald A. Silver:
The meeting lasted through the AM and PM. The community leaders made excellent presentations. The FAA took notes and documented entire meeting.
NYC Helo group and the Nat. Helo. Noise Coalition presented extensive documentation for the record, as well as comment. Industry representatives will be watching this Docket closely.There appeared to be strong emphasis upon the NYC local helo noise problem, especially since two NYC Congress reps. were present.
Mr. Liu reviewed before the group all of the written comments submitted.
These will be scanned and available on the FAA's web site: http://www.faa.gov A written report will be prepared and sent to Congress. Any further action on helo noise will have to come from Congress.
I believe that it will be essential for all parties to track this matter carefully and insist that their local Congressman require the FAA to place strong noise controls on helos over metro areas.
This effort will be fought bitterly by the helo industry. This is our one chance to gain some degree of control over the helo noise issue.
Issues that the FAA took note of:
Low flying helos, possible curfews, annoying sight seeing flights, news helos, hover helos, early and late hour ops., invasion of privacy, routing and training. There was a sense that police, fire and emergency helo ops were necessary and not as disturbing at non-emergency ops.
The final report to Congress is due from the FAA by April 3, 2001.
PLEASE JOIN THE NHNC!
Anyone wishing to join the National Helo Noise Coalition may do so by mailing a check for $25.00, payable to:
Homeowners of Encino-Noise PO Box 260205 Encino, CA 91436 (Homeowners of Encino sponsors the National Helo Noise Coalition and pays its costs.)
Thank you Gerald A. Silver, Pres. Homeowners of Encino, NHNC