Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act

This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a detailed study concerning helicopter operations within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, aiming to address community concerns regarding their impact. The study's primary focus will be on the effects of persistent helicopter noise on residential and recreational areas. This comprehensive analysis will cover the volume and frequency of helicopter traffic, associated noise levels, and their impact on safety, health, environmental, and economic issues. It will also examine compliance with voluntary agreements, the necessity of current helicopter traffic, and the potential impact of future advanced air mobility technologies like electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, alongside assessing the quality of life for residents. Furthermore, the FAA is tasked with identifying and evaluating solutions to abate or eliminate helicopter noise . These solutions include exploring the feasibility of diverting helicopters from residential areas, creating new flight paths, banning nonessential helicopters, and establishing altitude limits for operations. The Administrator must submit a comprehensive report on the study's findings to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.