H.R. 5049: Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act

This bill, titled the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a comprehensive study of helicopter operations within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Here are the key components of what the bill aims to achieve:

Study on Helicopter Operations

The FAA is required to examine several aspects of helicopter flight and its impacts. The study will focus on:

• Helicopter Traffic Analysis: This includes the volume of helicopter traffic, the timing of flights, and frequency in the airspace.
• Noisy Impact: An analysis of noise levels caused by helicopter operations.
• Health and Safety: Investigation into safety, health, environmental, and economic issues related to helicopter flights.
• Voluntary Agreements Compliance: Examination of whether helicopters adhere to existing voluntary agreements regarding operations around the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island.
• Origins of Helicopter Traffic: Analyzing where helicopters are coming from when in the designated airspace.
• Need for Helicopter Operations: Assessment of the necessity of helicopter traffic for various activities within the area.
• Airspace Congestion: Understanding how helicopter flights contribute to air traffic congestion.
• Future Technologies: Predictions on the impact of emerging technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, on noise and safety in the airspace.
• Quality of Life: Evaluation of how excessive helicopter noise affects the lives of residents in affected communities.
• Other Issues: Consideration of any additional concerns related to helicopter traffic in residential and recreational areas.

Noise Abatement Solutions

The bill also calls for the study to explore possible solutions to mitigate helicopter noise, which may include:

• Flight Diversions: The feasibility of rerouting helicopter flights away from residential and recreational areas.
• New Flight Paths: Examining the creation of new flight paths that take into account nearby airports.
• Banning Nonessential Flights: Analyzing the potential impact of prohibiting nonessential helicopter flights within the specified area on safety, health, and environmental conditions.
• Altitude Limits: The feasibility of setting altitude restrictions for helicopter operations near the Statue of Liberty.
• Additional Noise Reduction Options: Other strategies for reducing helicopter noise.

Reporting Requirements

The FAA is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the findings of this study within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Relevant Companies

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