A New York Congressman is planning to reintroduce legislation next week designed to close key loopholes in the helicopter homeland security safety net by requiring helicopters to fly over water only while in Manhattan airspace.
Republican Antony Weiner, who tried and failed to introduce the bill in 2004, says: "Treating small aircraft just as seriously as we do jumbo jets is a welcome change, but it's only half the job." He adds: "We are taking a common-sense step to make New York safer. Right now it is completely legal for helicopters to hover over buildings in Manhattan - that's what we are trying to ban."
He says: "History, known intelligence reports and common sense show the need for tighter regulations to secure the skies around Manhattan. It's not just a matter of safety for pilots and passengers, but also of security for citizens on the ground."
The legislation would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate High Threat Helicopter Flight Areas which would be protected by the following restrictions:
All helicopter flights to remain over water except for on final approach and takeoff from heliport.
All passengers and baggage on helicopters to be screened by the Transportation Security Administration.
Helicopters to remain in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding their flightpath, regardless of altitude.
"Current FAA regulations allow helicopter operators to fly anywhere in the city - under certain altitudes," Weiner says. "I believe that this situation presents an unacceptable risk that must be alleviated." Weiner has also called on FAA administrator Marion Blakey to "issue an emergency FAA directive to prohibit all non-essential helicopters from operating in airspace over New York City".
Police, medical, and other authorised helicopter traffic would exempt from the legislation. US trade body the Helicopter Association International was unavailable for comment.
Source: Flight International
