Operators skewer proposed Long Island VFR routing

Public comments about the FAA’s proposed mandatory helicopter routing over New York’s Long Island are overwhelmingly negative, according to the Eastern Reg

By Mark Huber • Contributor

August 2, 2010

Public comments about the FAA’s proposed mandatory helicopter routing over New York’s Long Island are overwhelmingly negative, according to the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC). Before the comment period closed on June 25, the FAA received 690 comments, 86 percent of which opposed the proposed rule. The FAA declined the request of a broad-based coalition of industry groups, including NBAA, AOPA, GAMA, NATA and HAI, to extend the public comment period an additional 60 days.

In May the agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM, FAA-2010-0302) that would require all helicopters transiting the Long Island area of New York VFR to use the North Shore Route–a voluntary overwater route created in 2008 for noise abatement (FAA Order 7210.3). The FAA’s decision to mandate the route appears to have come as the result of political pressure from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.