FAA To Hear Complaints About San Fernando Valley Helicopter Noise
VAN NUYS (CBS) — Residents in the San Fernando Valley will soon get a chance to voice their outrage over the increasingly noisy nuisance of helicopters.
KNX 1070's Margret Carrero reports federal officials have agreed to hold a public hearing on the issue.
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Rep. Howard Berman said complaints about helicopter noise have been on the rise not just in areas surrounding Van Nuys airport, but from several neighborhoods throughout the Valley.
"I've heard about helicopter noise from people in the hills," said Berman.
While the thwacking of helicopter rotors in the skies of Southern California is hardly a rare occurrence, increased scrutiny has come in the wake of higher demand for helicopter tourism.
"They hover for very long periods of time at very low altitudes," Berman said.
Top officials from the Federal Administration Aviation will hold a public hearing in the San Fernando Valley in early August as another step toward crafting regulation legislation.
However, Berman warned lawmakers will have to temper limitations as to not restrict law enforcement agencies.
"I think it's reasonable to expect helicopter pilots to take the routes that are going to have the least impact on neighborhoods," he said. "We do it with airplanes, but there is no such regulatory process for helicopters."
