ERHC, HAI Debut Washington Noise Initiative

ERHC, HAI Debut Washington Noise Initiative

27-Jun-2022 Source: HAI

The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) and Helicopter Association International (HAI) debuted a new helicopter noise initiative for the Washington, D.C., metro area today. The two trade groups established a helicopter noise complaint system for individuals in and around the region to share their concerns.

Jeff Smith, chair of EHRC, and John Shea, director of government affairs for HAI, attended a kickoff event with US Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) to announce the initiative. Congressman Beyer’s district includes areas affected by the noise of the helicopters operating in the District of Columbia.

“Both ERHC and HAI take seriously the obligation to fly neighborly and represent our industry responsibly,” says Shea. “And both organizations have proven track records of success when government, industry, and communities work together to identify specific pain points and appropriately tailored solutions.”

ERHC and HAI aim to work with the D.C. community to review and process noise complaints and use this data to help mitigate helicopter noise. ERHC and HAI understand that affected residents desire immediate answers to their noise questions and complaints. With the associations’ joint noise initiative, there are now three easy ways to file a helicopter noise complaint: D.C.-area residents may complete and submit noise concerns via web form, iPhone and Android-compatible mobile app, or voicemail at the noise complaint hotline. Using available flight tracking data, the system will accurately identify likely aircraft generating concerns and all associated data. ERHC and HAI stand ready to work with D.C. metro area residents to find solutions for helicopter-related noise concerns.

“We want to thank Congressman Beyer for his efforts to develop and promote this initiative,” says Jeff Smith, chair of the ERHC and vice chair of HAI. “ERHC is also grateful to be working with HAI and the FAA to collaborate on finding a commonsense solution to the noise issue in Washington, D.C. This program offers a single-point repository to track complaints and then look at the data to find options for addressing the issue.”

The new initiative focuses on airport and aircraft noise complaint–management solutions, noise abatement–procedure compliance monitoring, and related government and community affairs. ERHC and HAI partnered with aviation noise consultancy PlaneNoise to ensure the D.C. metro area has broad access to an easy and efficient noise-complaint system.

“One of the most important next steps will be to raise awareness of this noise complaint system initiative,” adds Shea. “HAI and ERHC are committed to supporting Congressman Beyer’s efforts to promote the initiative and to facilitate accountability for the input received.”

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