Links:

These links comprise just a sampling of the information available on the web about this controversial industry and the many various attempts of citizens around the country to defend themselves from it.

• In Rhode Island a community stands up to commercial helicopter operators. http://sagharborexpress.sagharborpublishing.com/shexpress/suffolk-close-up/helicopter-legislation-necessary/
• In New York, New York citizens defend themselves against helicopter noise pollution. (www.helifreenyc.org) Contrary to what was written in the White Co. News by Paige Welch, editor for Universal Helicopter, helicopters have been made subject to legal regulation around the Statue of Liberty. The helicopters are still flying, but tours are set to be phased out by 2010. Read about it in the Gothamist (6-21-08). http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/a-plan-to-phase-out-west-side-helicopter-tours
• Jackson Hole Wyoming opposes Helicotper tours. http://www.hcn.org/issues/204/10561
• Articles about the Cherokee, NC case and the efforts of North Carolina residents to defend their right to enjoy their property. http://www.thesylvaherald.com/A-Helicopter121301.htm
  http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/04_05/04_13_05/out_protection_gateway.html
  http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/03_05/03_30_05/fr_chopper_campaign.html NC lawmakers became involved and introduced a bill that would have helped. Our understanding is that it passed, but without enforcement measures, so was ineffectual. Read about it here. http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/07_05/07_27_05/fr_bill_helicopter.html
• A site that sheds light on the dangers of helicopter tourism by summarizing the events of a tragic accident in Hawaii http://personalinjury.cprlaw.com/NTSB-Airplane-Accident-Reports-Weather-Encounter-and-Subsequent-Crash-into-the-Pacific-Ocean---Analysis--3-205-201.html See also http://helicopter.stevestedman.com/ for a list of commercial helicopter crashes in Hawaii
• This article talks about the regulation of Hawaii helicopter tours http://seattle.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2007/12/17/story3.htm
• Air tour accident stats http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/17078.html
• Real estate prices drop when helicopters fly overhead. This report commissioned by the FAA. http://www.stormingmedia.us/59/5900/A590003.html It is summarized here, and they say that the report suggests the depreciation is around 18 percent of the home’s value for moderately priced homes. http://stophelipad.org/property_values1.shtml
• The USATA website. This is the organization that lobby’s Washington to pave the way for unregulated air tour operators to take advantage of your town. http://www.usata-dc.com/
• Article from the 1990s on the free-for-all helitours in Hawaii and elsewhere, and citizens’ resistance to them. http://www.sierraclub.org/planet/199412/ftr-copter.asp
• FAA recommendations and regulations can be found here. Recommendations are often not adhered to by operations such as the one in Helen. Particularly the recommendation to fly 2000 feet above the highest point in a two thousand foot radius of the aircraft in noise sensitive areas such as residential areas, wildlife sanctuaries, parks, etc. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet
• Legislators are forced to take action because the FAA will not regulate helicopter traffic. http://www.27east.com/story_detail.cfm?id=158116
• A Legislative bill introduced to address problems associated with helicopter traffic. http://www.nonoise.org/lawlib/proposed/fedleg/helicopt/hr2957.htm
• News relating to noise pollution nation-wide. Along with many articles cataloged on this page, there is at least one about helicopter tours vs a small town. Search the page for "Virginia city, Nevada". http://www.nonoise.org/news/2000/apr2.htm

Restore The Peace supports the following websites and the general cause toward which they are all working—to save the southern mountains from exploitation and encourage responsible development and economic activities.

http://www.stopi3.org

http://www.stopmountaintopremoval.org