Bill to Restrict Noisy Helicopters Over Los Angeles


January 27, 2012

By Mark Berman

The skies over Los Angeles are a virtual Wild West for helicopters. They fly everywhere day and night, low enough that they are a real nuisance. But a bill currently in Congress could change all of that.

Dual bills in the House and Senate called the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011 would require the FAA to issue regulations relating to helicopter flight paths and altitudes.

This week Assemblyman Mike Feuer introduced a resolution in Sacramento that asks the state legislature to urge Congress to pass the bill. 

In a news release from Feuer's office, the assemblyman said he has long been concerned about "the noise and other associated impacts" of helicopters flying over the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Our skies are filled with private and tourist helicopters, traffic and news choppers from every TV station, peeping paparazzi, as well as police helicopters -- the only ones that are actually necessary.