HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-26 Letter to HICOP Board re Helicopter Tours - Update •(Y OF
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Managing Director
Harry Kim � •' � ,. .. �°•
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Barbara J. Kossow
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County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)3234444 • Fax(808)323-4440
January 26, 2018
HICOP Board
do Bob Ernst
rce1(a�isp.com
Dear Mr. Ernst & HICOP Board:
RE: Helicopter Tours
In response to resident complaints about helicopter noise, and the helicopter tour
industry in particular, I convened a meeting of tour operators and asked them to develop
a plan to address the noise issue and to forward that plan to me for my review.
On January 12, 2018, the tour operators reported that they:
• Organized the nonprofit Hawaii Helicopter Association to address helicopter
industry issues and to work with local community, state and federal agencies;
• Launched an online complaint form through PlaneNoise, a program used by
airports and municipalities across the country;
• Convened multiple meetings with Federal, State, and local agencies, Federal
Aviation Administration representatives and Department of Transportation
officials;
• Are installing flight tracking equipment in helicopters to assist companies with
holding pilots accountable for deviation from agreed-upon directives; and
• Reinforced the following pilot directives:
o Require mandatory retraining for all pilots with an emphasis on reducing
overflight noise impacts using the Helicopter Association International's
"Fly Neighborly Guide,"
o Increase overflight altitudes above noise sensitive areas when weather
permits,
o Vary overflight paths to reduce repetitive annoyance noise impacts, and
o Encourage pilots to use major thoroughfares to avoid low ambient noise
areas.
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
January 26, 2018
Page 2
I commend the industry for taking these initial steps. I encourage residents to
register helicopter noise complaints online at the Hawaii Helicopter Association's
PlaneNoise Portal tittps://www.planenoise.com/hha/ or by calling the toll-free hotline at
1-800-370-1060.
I am hopeful that the tour operators and community members can work together.
I will continue monitoring this issue.
Sincerely,
Harry Ki
Mayor
County of I lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.