The Eastern Region Helicopter Council recently joined several major aviation trade groups, pilots, and citizens in criticizing the FAA's proposed regulation imposing mandatory routes for helicopters operating on Long Island.

In formal comments filed before the FAA, the group called the FAA's proposal "flatly at odds with the federal government's limited role in addressing aircraft noise." The ERHC urged the FAA to work collaboratively with the helicopter industry to mitigate noise concerns, writing that, "The FAA should neither become a national clearing-house for local noise complaints, nor regulator in the first instance of local noise abatement procedures."The FAA's proposal would have the unintended effect of concentrating noise and traffic, to the detriment of safety," added Jeff Smith, Chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council.

The FAA proposed rule has generated a firestorm of controversy. Virtually every major aviation trade group, including the ERHC, Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), General Aviation Manufacturing Association (GAMA), and National Air Transport Association ((NATA) expressed opposition and sought a 60-day extension to prepare comments, which the FAA denied. Within 30 days, the agency has received 690 comments, with 86% opposing the proposed rule.

Even as New York faces tremendous economic and political challenges, the aviation industry's significant contribution to the State's economy continues to be undervalued by policymakers. However, as the 2011 legislative session gets underway, the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) will be well prepared to address important issues on your behalf. Our success will be enhanced by a solid presentation about the critical role aviation plays in New York and strong participation by aviation leaders during our Advocacy Day in Albany this Spring.

Save the Date for Advocacy Day!

With this thought in mind, please mark your calendars now as NYAMA will hold its Advocacy Day on March 22, 2011 in Albany, NY. We will need every airport and aviation business to collectively make our case for aviation as a fundamental way to create jobs. Details will be available on our website on on the NYAMA website at www.nyama.com very soon!

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Matt Zuccaro, President of HAI

Helicopter Association International (HAI) President, Matt Zuccaro, wishes to express his sincere appreciation to the many HAI members who joined HAI in filing comments with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opposing a proposed FAA rulemaking that would mandate a VFR helicopter route on the north shore of New York's Long Island.
Mr. Zuccaro filed comments on Friday, June 25 with the FAA, cautioning the agency over the need to follow established regulatory process and environmental policy and Zuccaro warned of the potential negative effect the proposed rule could have on safety and operational efficiency. While the proposed rule does contain deviations for safety, weather conditions, or the transitioning to or from a destination or point of landing, Zuccaro pointed out the proposed rule fails to address operational limitations or performance factors.