To: Parties Interested in Helicoper Noise Issues
From: Gerald A. Silver, Pres. Homeowners of Encino
email: gsilver@sprintmail.com
Stop the Noise Coalition and
National Helicopter Noise
Coalition
PO Box 260205, Encino, CA
91426
RE: STATUS OF NON-MILITARY HELICOPTER NOISE STUDY
As most of you may know, the FAA was charged with doing a
helicopter
noise study, to be completed by April of this year. This
study was
mandated by H.R. 1000. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn
B. Maloney
(D-NY)-contact Donald C. Auerbach: donald.auerbach@mail.house.gov
AND
Rep. Jerrold L. Nadler (D-NY)-contact Lisette Morton:
Lisette.Morton@mail.house.gov.
The FAA was charged with determing the effects of nonmilitary
helicopter
noise on individuals in densely populated areas and to
develop
recommendations for the reduction of the effects of
nonmilitary
helicopter noise.
This was seen as a signficant step in addressing the
helicopter noise problem.
The FAA held two hearing in Washington last year, and
received many
written comments and oral testimony from community leaders.
We have been told the release of this study [due in April
2001] was
delayed because the "helicopter industry was not happy
with the data
that was collected." There has been a lot of behind the
scenes
delaying tactics by the helicopter industry who does not want
controls placed on helicopters.
If you would like to learn more about the FAA study, please
check
the following web sites:
Main web site re: helo study:
http://www.aee.faa.gov/web747/index.htm
Web site listing preliminary concerns
http://www.aee.faa.gov/web747/id41.htm
We have been in contact with Mr. Sandy Liu at the FAA
(202)493-4864
fax: (202)267-5594. email: SandyLiu@faa.gov
Mr. Liu has been very cordial in keeping
us to date on the study progress--
or should I say lack of it.
Mr. Liu has indicated that the Report will be completed
sometime in
mid-May and sent to his superiors for review. It will then be
sent to
the DOT sometime in late June. The date of release to the
public is
not certain. You may wish to contact Mr. Liu's superior, Mr.
Carl
Burlson (202)267-3576 and kindly request information about
when this
vital study will be available to the public.
If you wish to be removed from this email list, please send a
reply
email asking to be removed. Your name will be promptly
removed. We
do not wish to email those who are not interested in this
issue.
Finally, the letter below was sent by Homeowners of Encino to
the
FAA, Mr. Carl Burlson regarding the delay of the helicopter
noise study.
You may wish to send a similar letter, and copy it to your
Congressman, and
to us as well.
Sincerly yours,
Gerald A. Silver, Pres.
email: gsilver@sprintmail.com
Homeowners of Encino
dba Stop the Noise Coalition and
National Helicopter Noise
Coalition
PO Box 260205, Encino, CA
91426
*********************************************************************
HOMEOWNERS OF ENCINO
PO BOX 260205, ENCINO, CA 91426
04/30/2001
Mr. Carl Burlson
Director of Environment and Energy (OEE)
Federal Aviation Administration Phone (202)267-3576
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington DC, 20591
RE: STATUS OF NON-MILITARY HELICOPTER NOISE STUDY
In April 2000 Congress passed H.R. 1000. This was a
Congressional mandate
for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the
impact of
helicopter noise on people. This bill was in response to
public concerns
about nonmilitary helicopter noise on densely populated
communities.
Needless to say many communities in this country, including
Los Angeles are
severely impacted by low flying media, sight-seeing and
non-emergency
helicopter operations.
We would appreciate receiving word on the status of the
Report that is to be
issued by the FAA no later than one year from the date the
H.R. 1000 was
signed into law. Over a year has elapsed since the passage of
H.R. 1000 and
to my knowledge no Report or recommendations have been issued
by the FAA.
During this time the low-flying helicopter noise grows worse
and continues
to impact millions of Americans all over the country.
H.R. 1000 was very clear in its language and specified
guidance to the FAA:
Authorization H.R.1000 - Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment
and Reform Act
for the 21st Century. The FAA was charged with investigating
the effects of
noise on individuals and developing recommendations on
reducing helicopter
noise effects over populated areas.
It is clear that Congress was asking for an impact study on
individuals and
populations, not merely another noise metric or count of
people with a given
noise contour. H.R. 1000 also required the development of
specific
recommendations to reduce noise on densely populated
communities.
Section 747. - Nonmilitary Helicopter Noise. It states:
(a) IN GENERAL- The Department of Transportation (DOT)
Secretary shall
conduct a study - (1) on the effects of nonmilitary
helicopter noise on
individuals in densely populated areas in the continental
United States; and
(2) to develop recommendations for the reduction of the
effects of
nonmilitary helicopter noise.
(b) FOCUS- In conducting the study, the DOT Secretary shall
focus on air
traffic control procedures to address helicopter noise
problems and shall
take into account the needs of law enforcement.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF VIEWS- In conducting the study,
the DOT Secretary
shall consider the views of representatives of the helicopter
industry and
organizations with an interest in reducing nonmilitary
helicopter noise.
(d) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this
Act, the DOT Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on
the results of
the study conducted under this section.
We attended one of the FAA hearings on this matter, and
provided written
testimony and evidence on noise impacts on our community. We
and other
organization and individuals suggested specific measures to
reduce noise.
Many of our concerns were included in the preliminary list
placed on the web
by the FAA. These included [partial list]:
Response on Individuals:
Sleep disturbance: awakening/delaying sleep
Reactions: startling/surprise
Altered concentration/attention
Elicited emotions: fear/anger/curiosity/wonder
Created a sense of: annoyance
"Invasion of Privacy" (i.e.,
line-of-site and "virtual")
Misfeasance - Improper and unlawful execution of an act that
in itself is lawful and proper
Vibration (rattle/shaking)
Human sensitivity to Low frequency (small population of
C-weighted listeners)
Low ambient environment concerns
Operational Concerns:
Low altitude flights (generates greater noise
levels-increased loudness)
Non-typical daytime hours of operation (disturbs early
morning and evening
"quiet")
Routes (subjects noise to specific dense populations)
Structural damage (concerns of physical harm and damage due
to vibrations)
Hover/circling (extended duration/exposure)
Multiple aircraft in vicinity (noise
accumulation/amplification)
Recommended Noise Reduction Approaches:
Minimum Altitude (addressing over-flights and hover)
Curfew of operational time
Minimize Number of Operations (reduce exposure to
individuals)
Minimize Ground Run-ups (reduce duration of noise)
Specified Routes (develop routes for minimized exposure to
noise sensitive
areas)
Specify Minimum Altitude corresponding to Max Noise (SPL)
allowable
Minimize Hover Duration
Non-operational Issues:
More Public Education of Helicopters and Noise - "Fly
Neighborly"
Define policy to phase out noisy helicopters & operate
'quieter" helicopter
(analogous to Congressional mandate for Stage 3
Large Transport Airplane Policy)
Institute helicopter "Stage 3" regulations (and/or
with a phase out Stage
2/Stage 1 helos)
Require helicopter "Husk kits"
Strict enforcement of safe flight
Restrict operations of electric news gathering (ENG) and
sightseeing/tours
Exempt law enforcement, fire-fighting and emergency medical
services (EMS)
Implement GPS and approach/departure for noise abatement
Implement new noise impact metrics (not A-weighting
for helicopters)
Perform helicopter noise socio-psychoacoustics study
Account for military helicopter Impact
Empower local municipalities airspace control
Improve visible identification markings to ID operators
(enhance
enforceability process)
I include this rather lengthy list in this letter because it
is important
not to loose sight of what H.R. 1000 is all about. The Report
to Congress
must include a thorough recitation of noise problems on
individuals and
communities and specific recommendations for reducing noise.
The helicopter industry will no doubt balk at any attempt to
restrict their
noisy, low-flying operations. But there is growing urgency to
address this
problem. I would appreciate a brief report on the status of
the mandate, and
when the Report will be available to the public, together
with FAA
recommendations.
Cordially yours,
Gerald A. Silver
Cc: Congress Sherman, Berman, Waxman, Nadler, Malony
Community associations