Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) has joined the chorus of voices asking Congress to do something about noisy, low-flying helicopters in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Feuer introduced a resolution Tuesday asking the California Legislature to support the proposed federal Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011. A version of the bill is in both houses of Congress.
If passed, the bill would restrict helicopters' flight paths and set minimum altitudes over residential areas. Some exemptions are included for emergency and law enforcement helicopters.
"For far too long, residential neighborhoods have had to deal with increasing noise and other burdens from helicopters,” Feuer said in a press release. “This is a major quality of life issue throughout our region. The California Legislature should urge Congress to act this year.”
Larry Welk, president of the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association, told NBC Los Angeles earlier this year that the legislation, if passed, would not apply to many of the helicopters flying over Los Angeles neighborhoods.
In a letter sent to members, the helicopter pilots association's Board of Directors explained that the bill would exempt all helicopters flown by public agencies such as fire and police departments, the Department of Water and Power and the like.
"Their exemption would insure that the net effect of all this legislation in providing actual reduction of noise affecting the population on the ground would be negligible," the letter states. "These regulations would not solve the 'problem' they set out to solve."
"There's a public perception that there's more helicopter traffic," Welk told NBC Los Angeles. "That's just not true. There used to be six, seven traffic helicopters in the air. News stations that used to have two now have one, some have none. The fact is, this legislation exempts 70 percent of the helicopters that generate the noise."
The association is advising its members to contact local representatives.
In late August, in the House of Representatives and discouraged a permit to allow commercial helicopter landings on top of the Sofitel hotel across from Beverly Center. The 10-story hotel in April 2011.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also expressed . The city of Rancho Palos Verdes also sent a letter to Congress in support of the legislation. The Hollywood United Neighborhood Council voted in favor of the House bill in October.
The Los Angeles City Council has not yet voted on a resolution in support of the bill, introduced by Councilmen Tom Labonge and Paul Koretz in July.
Feuer previously urged Congress to include the measure in the Federal Aviation Administration's long-term funding bill.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein sponsored the Senate bill (S. 2019), and Sen. Barbara Boxer co-sponsored it. In the House, Rep. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) sponsored the bill (H.R. 2677) and Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) and Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) were co-sponsors.
Noise near the Santa Monica Airport
The Santa Monica Airport, where residents living as close to 300 feet from the tarmac have staged protests against air traffic noise and pollution, already has some of the strictest noise ordinances of general aviation airports across the country.
Helicopters are restricted from departing during early morning hours and must restrict noise levels when within 1,500 feet from each end of the runway. In some cases, pilot face fines of up to $2,000 for curfew violations.
I guess I basically feel that news helicopters are somewhat of a nuisance when they are hovering, and should not be allowed to do so. Circling is a little bit better, but they should definitely not be allowed to hover. Hovering helicopters should be reserved for emergencies only - if needed...
You people nowadays are so self entitled, rude, self righteous, and quite frankly, pretty ignorant and intolerant, though you POSE to the contrary. Go move to Solvang, or Newport beach (oh wait, they have those pesky choppers up/down the beach). Yep, as usual, wait until you or your loved ones need help...sing the different tune.
There is no respect anymore when it comes to noise. And, that even comes from a noisy catholic church, Divine Saviour Catholic Church that refuses to lower their amplified sound system. No respect. People have the right to peace and quiet in their own homes. http://www.noisefree.org
PS--The rest of you can always move back where you came from, since 90% are not even from here. (by the way, Culver City PD does not have a helicopter, LAPD offers their air support/mutual aid, to help them and you, many times)
You do not expect that a once quiet church would ever turn into a noisy one and put up an amplified sound system that blasts their tape recording 6 times a day every day. No respect. No noise. No one or organization is above the law.
This, coming from someone who has done little but respond with snide and snarky comments at residents who live in the area and pay for these officers' salary while being constantly assaulted by unnecessary helicopter noise. Inwardly envious/jealous? Of what...being obnoxious to people? Perhaps some people might be envious of being able to be obnoxious on such a massive level - but I guarantee that it is not the majority of us local residents that are jealous of such a thing. We're actually opposed to being obnoxious. It doesn't surprise me that our concerns would be lost on certain individuals who treat that sort of behavior as acceptable. Also - nice display of hatred and intolerance there, assuming that 90% of us/residents are illegal immigrants. It seems as if you are either an aspiring peace officer or are already in the ranks, given your profile picture - you certainly have the obnoxious part nailed down. Maybe you should apply for their aerial division? Cheers indeed.
It is annoying at times, but it seems to be effective. The couple of years though of the constant Britney/Paris/Lindsay pyschodramas, mainly playing out around here, though were a nightmare with the news choppers.
http://www.noisefree.org/links.php
I don't like the idea of putting limits on altitude that might affect flight safety. But maybe limits on hovering times and hovering altitudes for news choppers might be appropriate.
http://temecula.patch.com/articles/citizen-reader-shares-mining-sounds
For those advocating for the use of drones: who is funding that? Costs of purchase, People to fly them, people to maintain them ect. Huge costs to the taxpayer. No thanks. For those that assume they know what the helicopters are doing when they see them? Really, how do you know...mind reader, physic reader? Go back to yelling at the kids on your lawn!
A new Police helicopter costs about $2 million, The Predator is twice that, but fly's three to four times as long at a greatly reduced maintenance and fuel cost. One or two Predator's could replace every police helicopter in the southbay. The only thing to be seen is if it could be civillianized enough for Police use and still fly the same missions with the added weight, and if it is fast enough to follow pursuits. I'm hoping with the wind-down in Afghanistan that General Atomics looks to the civillian market for the next generation of drones.
How does one go about finding out why a helicopter was flying in a circle overhead in their neighbourhood for 45 minutes? You said you need the time and location? But where do you enter it to find out who the perp was and what it was for?