Rotorcraft
FAA Denies L.A. Anti-helicopter Petitions
The agency determined that some of the petitions were unfeasible on safety grounds.
The FAA recently rejected an anti-helicopter group's petitions to limit air tour and electronic newsgathering helicopter operations over the Los Angeles basin. (Photo: OrbicAir)
The FAA recently rejected an anti-helicopter group's petitions to limit air tour and electronic newsgathering helicopter operations over the Los Angeles basin. (Photo: OrbicAir)

In late May the FAA denied a quartet of petitions that sought to impose helicopter minimum altitudes; mandatory routings; and hover, orbit and pooling restrictions on tour and electronic news gathering (ENG) operators for all helicopters flying within the Los Angeles Basin. The petitions were filed by various groups of anti-helicopter activists under the umbrella group known as the Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise Coalition (LAAHNC). The Coalition had petitioned that non-emergency helicopters be required to fly at a minimum of 2,000 feet; that limits be imposed on hover and/or orbit times for tour and ENG helicopters; that the latter be forced to operate in pools; and that all helicopters flying along the coast do so at least half a mile offshore.


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