THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

12

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ACTION REGARDING COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER TOUR OPERATIONS IN HAWAII.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, commercial helicopter tours are a popular visitor activity in Hawaii that have been successful for some private companies; and

 

     WHEREAS, commercial helicopter tours have however become a bane to many residents of areas over which the tours fly, as the lack of regulation and the lucrative nature of the tours have created a "wild west" in the sky; and

 

     WHEREAS, commercial helicopter tours focusing on the natural scenery of the coastlines, mountains, and national parks fly over the same areas and neighborhoods on a daily basis, to the detriment of residents and visitors below, who experience constant helicopter noise; and

 

     WHEREAS, due to the distress and disruption caused by chronic helicopter noise, the noise has become a public health concern; and

 

     WHEREAS, comprehensive regulation of these helicopters and the enforcement of those regulations are necessary; and

 

     WHEREAS, although helicopters are required to maintain a minimum flight altitude of one thousand five hundred feet, it appears that many tour companies ignore this requirement; and

 

     WHEREAS, it would be appropriate to increase the minimum flight altitude to two thousand five hundred feet when flying above residences, and to five thousand feet when flying above national park land; and

 

     WHEREAS, tour helicopters should be required to avoid residences and use offshore routes whenever possible; and

 

     WHEREAS, air tour management plans for national parks should be created, pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000; and

 

     WHEREAS, it would be appropriate to impose tiered penalties on and revoke flying privileges from repeat violators of aircraft regulations; and

 

     WHEREAS, flight pattern regulations, elevation regulations, and air tour management plans for national parks are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Federal Aviation Administration is urged to more aggressively enforce existing laws against commercial tour operators in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal Aviation Administration is urged to increase minimum flight altitudes for tour helicopters, mandate offshore tour aircraft routes when appropriate, and create air tour management plans for national parks in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Tour Aircraft; Federal Aviation Administration