WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, October 27, Congressman Brad Sherman (DSherman Oaks) testified during the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee roundtable meeting in support of measures to reduce helicopter noise in residential areas of Los Angeles County. Sherman was joined at the roundtable meeting by Congressmen Howard Berman and Adam Schiff, as well as officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“Excessive helicopter noise is a reasonable concern for many Valley residents, especially those that live in neighborhoods where commercial helicopter operators fly low over celebrity homes or iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign,” said Congressman Sherman. “We need to give the FAA the tools to implement new standards related to flight paths and minimum altitudes to reduce overall helicopter noise pollution and ensure the safety of the helicopter operators in the busy skies over Los Angeles.”
The Committee held a roundtable meeting to hear from various officials about the growing noise and safety concerns with low-flying helicopters above densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. Congressman Sherman highlighted the impact of commercial helicopter operators over neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, particularly in the hillside communities of Encino, Sherman Oaks, and Studio City. Congressman Sherman is a co-sponsor of the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act (H.R. 2677).
The legislation requires the FAA to issue regulations for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County that include requirements relating to flight paths and minimum altitude standards with the goal of reducing helicopter noise pollution in residential areas. The bill exempts helicopter operations related to emergency, law enforcement and military activities. H.R. 2677 has garnered support from the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association and a coalition of 17 members of Los Angeles County’s Delegation in the State Legislature.