The use of helicopters is increasingly subjected to objections and concerns about noise. Particular examples currently are in New York and Los Angeles, areas where members of the public are attempting to essentially eliminate helicopter operations, while members of Congress are proposing that severe limitations be placed on helicopter operations and the routes and altitudes used. Similar actions are also being proposed or considered in other locations and, if successful, will have a major negative impact on helicopter use in metropolitan areas. It could essentially eliminate the "successful helicopter operations" we know today and could lead to helicopters being "banned" from urban areas or being limited to impractical routes and flyover heights.
Most helicopters generate less noise than the noise certification standards, and in most cases meet established community noise rating criteria and guidelines. The major question being asked by many is “Why are helicopters still considered ‘noisy’ even though the noise levels have been reduced and Fly Neighborly techniques are being used?” Over recent years, the main effort to address this issue has been handled by the operators of helicopters and their associations. The Vertical Flight Society believes that it is time for the vertical flight technical community to be directly and actively involved in studying and addressing this issue, since if the current anti-helicopter trend cannot be stopped or reversed, it will have severe negative impacts on helicopter operations and expanded use.
A collection of research papers and related documents has been collected to assist in addressing the subject of noise and community acceptance. VFS members have full access to the Rotorcraft Noise Library, while links to public access documents are provided for non-members.
- Jan-Feb 2014: OEM Perspectives on Noise, by Mike Hampson
- Mar-Apr 2014: Helicopter Noise: What is the Problem?, by Dr. John Leverton
- Nov-Dec 2014: Helicopter Noise: The People’s Perspective – Los Angeles County, by Robert Moorman
- Jan-Feb 2015: Helicopter Noise: The People’s Perspective – Long Island and Chicago, by Robert Moorman
- Mar-Apr 2015: Noise in the Parks, by Robert Moorman
- Sep-Oct 2015: Flying Around Noise, by Frank Colucci
- Nov-Dec 2016: Noise in the Cities — Revisited, by Robert Moorman
- Nov-Dec 2017: US Government Research Targets Helicopter Noise, by Douglas Nelms
Presentations from the VFS-HAI Nov. 16, 2017 "Flying Quiet" Webinar:
- FAA Approach to Helicopter Noise, Joseph DiPardo and Rick Riley, FAA
- Flying Quiet, Juliet Page, Volpe (Dept. of Transportation)
- NASA Research in Community Noise Reduction," Michael E. Watts, NASA
- What’s all the buzz about eVTOL?, Mike Hirschberg, The Vertical Flight Society
- Overview of Fly Neighborly Concerns, Jeff Smith, HAI Fly Neighborly Committee
- Dr. John Leverton, The Vertical Flight Society: "Helicopter Noise – Community Reaction: Need For Noise Abatement/Fly Neighborly Procedures"
- Yves Favennec, Airbus Helicopters: "Helicopter Community Noise: Operational Aspects (Airbus Helicopters Perspective)"
- Chris Hobbs, Wyle: "Helicopter Noise Modeling Guidance" (originally presented at an SAE meeting in Delft)