Noise Initiatives

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.