Rotorcraft
Sunset Looms for North Shore Helicopter Route
Without FAA action the controversial route expires in August; helicopter association has an alternative noise-mitigation plan.

As of the middle of May, the FAA had yet to determine if it will renew its mandatory VFR helicopter route along the north shore of New York’s Long Island. The controversial North Shore Route was established for voluntary compliance in 2008 as a response to residential noise complaints and political prodding from elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y), who pressed then Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the FAA to make it mandatory. The FAA did so in August 2012 (FAR 93.103 A & B), granting numerous safety and weather exemptions and with the proviso that the mandated route would expire, or “sunset,” this August unless the agency formally renewed it.

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