FAA should hold a hearing on noisy copters, as law requires
A helicopter arrives at East Hampton Town Airport in Wainscott in August 2014. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
The Federal Aviation Administration for years refused to devise an alternate route for noisy helicopter traffic between New York City and East Hampton that cuts right across the North Fork.
Now, legislation signed recently by President Donald Trump requires the FAA to re-evaluate the route, including a mandatory public hearing and public comment session. Instead, the agency is holding three public meetings in a workshop format. This is not acceptable.
This isn’t a semantic argument. There’s a real difference between a public hearing and a workshop where FAA officials posted at stations accept written feedback or transcribe oral comments in a largely one-on-one setting. That’s no substitute for testimony from experts, officials and aggrieved North Fork residents given in front of a crowd.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), whose proposal forced the route reconsideration, has badgered the FAA to add a hearing in addition to the meetings that begin Tuesday in Garden City. He should keep at it.
Memo to the FAA: Hold a hearing. Because it’s the law. And because residents you have tormented deserve a chance to air their gripes and hear every idea on how to end their suffering. — The editorial board
