L.A. Helicopter Noise Relief Act

The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011 has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by California Congressman Howard Berman.

Rep. Berman introduced the legislation to give L.A. County residents relief from the ear-shattering noise and safety concerns caused by the endless barrage of low-flying helicopters over residential neighborhoods.

The L.A. Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act (H.R. 2677) would force the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict helicopter flight paths and set minimum altitudes within one year.

Before House members, the congressman described the "Heligeddon" that the citizens of America's most populated county are forced to endure on a daily basis:

"Residents deserve relief from the thunderous clacking of helicopter blades hovering directly over their homes and, instead, all they've been getting is the runaround from government agencies. The buck stops here because it is simply unacceptable for residents to be forced to contend with these brazen helicopter operators on their own. This bill requires the regulations that will give residents the relief and increased safety they are so desperately looking for."

The FAA has refused to regulate helicopter flights above the city of Los Angeles, leaving residents with no way to get relief from the problem.

House Resolution 2677 solves the "Heligeddon" situation by requiring the FAA to exercise its legal authority to regulate helicopter operations above Los Angeles within 12 months of being signed into law.

Rep. Berman's bill calls for the FAA administrator to set guidelines on flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter pilots above residential areas of L.A. County --- with exemptions for law enforcement, emergency responders and military.

"Here, there are safety issues as well as noise issues," Berman said.  10 million L.A. County residents would agree in a heartbeat, however, not many can even hear a heartbeat above the head-splitting noise over their bedrooms.

We've all tried the earplugs. Forget it. What's next? Lobotomies and Xanax?  No!  We're not gonna take it.

Los Angeles is the Media Capitol, the Celebrity Capitol and the Disaster Capitol, so the number of helicopters overhead is overwhelming and LOUD.

With all the weather reports, the breaking news stories, the freeway chases, the celebrity sightings, the manhunts, the sight-seeing tours, the LAPD, the L.A. County Sheriffs, the corporate commuters, the traffic reporters and the military pilots, the skies over L.A. County are jam-packed with low-flying helicopter traffic.

Just think "Apocalypse Now", but with swimming pools and millions of screaming taxpayers below.

Rep. Berman wants to press the legislation with Rep. John Mica, the influential chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

This L.A.-based California blog is asking 10 million Los Angeles County residents to help Howard Berman in his effort to help us all.

Contact Congressman John Mica by calling his office at 202-225-4035.

Tell him that you support the bill introduced by Congressman Howard Berman --- the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act --- and that you're sick of "Heligeddon."