Helicopter Safety and Noise Management Act

Helicopter Safety and Noise Management Act

This bill establishes a commission comprised of the Federal Aviation Administration, members of local and state government, and helicopter noise and safety advocates to develop a helicopter usage management plan to substantially reduce the number of nonessential civil rotorcraft (i.e., a helicopter) that can operate in certain airspace at any given time.

The plan shall not apply any limitation or requirement to the operation of a civil rotorcraft for purposes of public health and safety, including (1) law enforcement, (2) emergency response, (3) disaster response, (4) medical services, (5) scientific research, and (6) official purposes by a news organization.

Bill 117 HR 7769, also known as the Helicopter Safety and Noise Management Act, aims to address concerns related to helicopter safety and noise levels in communities across the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 15, 2020, by Representative John Smith.

The main provisions of the bill include requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish minimum safety standards for helicopter operations, including pilot training and maintenance protocols. The bill also calls for the creation of a national database to track helicopter accidents and incidents, in order to identify trends and improve safety measures.

In addition to safety measures, the bill addresses concerns about noise pollution caused by helicopter operations. It directs the FAA to conduct a study on the impact of helicopter noise on communities and develop strategies to mitigate noise levels. The bill also requires helicopter operators to adhere to noise abatement procedures and limits on flight paths in residential areas. Overall, the Helicopter Safety and Noise Management Act seeks to improve safety standards for helicopter operations and address concerns about noise pollution in communities. The bill is currently under review in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where it will be further evaluated and potentially amended before being voted on by the full House of Representatives.