Survey of Helicopter Noise Abatement Procedures

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1 Survey of Helicopter ise Abatement Procedures Presentation to: Florida Airports Council ise and Community Affairs Committee Meeting Daytona Beach January 14, 2009 Presentation by: Ted Baldwin

and Community Affairs Committee Meeting Daytona

2 Helicopter Association International Fly Neighborly Program Objectives Pilot and operator awareness Pilot training and indoctrination Flight operations planning Public acceptance and safety Sensitivity to community concerns

training and indoctrination Flight operations planning

3 HAI Fly Neighborly Program Recommended Procedures Avoid noise-sensitive areas altogether When possible, follow: High ambient noise routes such as highways Unpopulated routes such as waterways If it is necessary to fly near noise-sensitive areas: Maintain an altitude as high as possible Fly normal cruising speed or slower Observe low-noise speed and descent recommendations Avoid sharp maneuvers Use steep takeoff and descent profiles, and Vary the route, since repetition contributes to annoyance

Maintain an altitude as high as possible Fly normal cruising speed or slower Observe low-noise speed and descent

4 Comparison of Helicopter Procedures at US Airports Airport/Location Established Flight Corridors? Minimum Altitudes? Recommend HAI Procedures? Time of Day Restrictions? St. Paul Downtown (MN) Avoid fixed wing (10 pm to 8 am) Republic (NY) Voluntary (10 pm to 7 am) Palm Springs (CA) Westchester County (NY) Ohio State University (OH) Long Beach (CA) Van Nuys (CA) Ft. Lauderdale Executive (FL) Voluntary (10 pm to 7 am)

Paul Downtown (MN) Avoid fixed wing (10 pm to 8 am) Republic (NY) Voluntary (10 pm to 7 am) Palm Springs

5 Case Studies of Three Airports Helicopter Programs Long Beach, CA Van Nuys, CA Ft. Lauderdale Executive, FL

6 Long Beach Airport Helicopter Operations 43 based helicopters, including Operators include public safety, air ambulance, training Operators sign Letter of Agreement to ensure that all pilots under jurisdiction are familiar with the routes, altitudes, and procedures. (17 signatories) Signatories can then use specified routes and minimize air traffic delay

ensure that all pilots under jurisdiction are familiar with the routes, altitudes, and

7 Long Beach Airport Helicopter Routes

8 Van Nuys Airport (CA) VNY helicopters and operations 52 based helicopters Bell 47, Robinson R22, Bell 412, Aerospatiale AS350 Public service, media, training, etc. Approximately 70,000 annual helicopter operations Helicopter Operations Helicopter Overflights Total Helicopter Activity ,200 16,900 69, ,200 22,100 90, ,200 26, ,900

Approximately 70,000 annual helicopter operations Helicopter Operations Helicopter

9 VNY Helicopter Routes Airspace accommodates VNY traffic and BUR arrivals Established prior to 1986, formalized 1989 Six departure routes and five arrival routes Flight altitude 1,300 MSL (500 AGL) Overflight of residential areas Scrutinized closely by community

routes and five arrival routes Flight altitude 1,300 MSL (500

10 Van Nuys Airport Helicopter Routes

11 VNY Helicopter Procedures Helicopter Restrictions repetitive operations pattern work flight training in airport traffic area FAA ATCT Letter of Agreement with Operators Formalized routes and altitudes Required Squawk 1204 in VNY Class D airspace LAWA staff continuously monitor compliance Effort equivalent to at least a half-time position

Formalized routes and altitudes Required Squawk 1204 in VNY Class D airspace LAWA

12 VNY Helicopter Procedures Altitude or route deviations Early turns or ATCT permission or direction Primarily public service and media operators Monitored by ise Management Office Letter to operator penalties or incentives Past recommendations Increase altitudes to the west Relocate Bull Creek route Require use of Flood Basin route at night Part 161 Study helicopter measures (underway) 10 PM to 7:00 curfew on non-emergency operations Cap or phase out helicopter operations

recommendations Increase altitudes to the west Relocate Bull Creek route Require use of Flood Basin route at night

13 Fort Lauderdale Executive Helicopter Operations 37 based helicopters 40 average daily operations Operators sign Letter of Agreement to ensure that all pilots under jurisdiction are familiar with the routes, altitudes, and procedures. Signatories can then use specified routes and minimize air traffic delay

all pilots under jurisdiction are familiar with the routes, altitudes, and

14 vember Arrival Sierra Arrival

15 vember Departure Echo Departure Sierra Departure

16 Conclusions Helicopter concerns are common Develop abatement corridors or routes Minimum altitudes Seek Letter of Agreement for formal implementation

KBCT HIGH. Boca Raton Airport Boca Raton, Florida, United States. Diagram #1: Airport Diagram. NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES by Whispertrack

KBCT HIGH. Boca Raton Airport Boca Raton, Florida, United States. Diagram #1: Airport Diagram. NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES by Whispertrack Diagram #1: Airport Diagram p. 1 of 7 Diagram #2: Abatement Diagram All Aircraft Categories / All Runways Unsupported image type. p. 2 of 7 MANDATORY RESTRICTIONS Aircraft Categories: A, B, C, D & E /