Helicopter Monitoring
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Re: “FAA to Put Inspectors on Valley News Helicopters,” May 10.
As residents living south of Van Nuys Airport, are we supposed to breathe a sigh of relief that news helicopters will be monitored by an on-board inspector? The idea is preposterous and insulting to the intelligence of the public. Of course monitored news helicopters will depart over the golf course and bank over the basin! Of course monitored helicopters won’t fly over residents’ homes! And of course, the moment the inspectors exit the helicopters, pilots will again take off over homes. Helicopter pilots listen to police scanners, and the moment a juicy call comes over, helicopters are in the air, each station competing to be the first to the scene.
The FAA doesn’t want to rectify any problems created by the air media. If they did, they’d approve a curfew at the airport. Until a curfew is imposed, residents will continue to be awakened as early as 4:30 a.m. by helicopters.
Until the FAA shows good faith and acknowledges the legitimate noise complaints of residents instead of categorically caving in to pro-aviation interests, the battle will continue.
ELLEN BAGELMAN
President, Lake Balboa
Homeowners Assn.
Van Nuys
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