Congressman Trying to Improve the Noisy LA Helicopter Situation

Via the LA Weekly comes news that Congressman Howard Berman has introduced the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011. Berman represents a large swath of the Valley, and says that portion of the city is especially affected by choppers because so many take off from Van Nuys airport. His bill would "force the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict helicopter flight paths and set minimum altitudes within 12 months," according to Berman's office. Maybe we can thank the New York Times, which this week published a story on the consistent helicopter traffic jam in our city (possible culprits include overly aggressive paparazzi, a city infrastructure that operates with 18 police helicopters, six fire helicopters, and 17 sheriff's helicopters, and no FAA-regulation as to how low these things can fly). If you're a fan of Berman's bill, aside from signing up for the NYT, you may owe a muffin basket to the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, which applied pressure on Berman to take some action, at least according to the Weekly. The bill would affect residential portions of the city and is partially modeled on an effort in copter-choked Long Island, NY.
· L.A. 'Helicopter Noise Relief Act' Proposed After Valley [LA Weekly]
· LA Sure Does Have a Lot of Copters [Curbed LA]