LOL, gears been goin’ for 3 years. This is a growing problem world-wide. It’s happening in many countries with tourists and scenery. It’s sad. I’m not in favor of getting rid of Helo’s. I think they need to be restricted to controlled altitudes, and whereever possible, well off-shore. Never below 2500’, never over homes, parks, schools, etc., etc. Give NZ credit, they said no to any and all...
What most folks forget when they go on vacation (me too), is people live there. Every tourist helicopter must take off and land at an airport or helipad. Getting to/from the “money” areas means flying over people’s houses each way, all day, 365 days a year. It’s really become a problem in the last 3 years in Hawaii, as large corporations bought most of the tour helicoper companies. They’ve greatly expanded. The rules outside the 5-mile ATC zone (what rules?) are so loose, the oversight (what oversight?) so loose, residents are now victims of some of the worst noise pollution imaginable. Hawaii is committing suicide...
It wouldn’t be too outrageous to think a resident did this on purpose, that’s how mad some locals are, the most militant by far — are on Kauai. They used to slash tires on rental cars— often. Trust me, if you had a 70db+ helicopter pass over your rural jungle house every 10 min., from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, even Christmas, you’d get-out the pitchforks and torches too. The Big Island is so much bigger, the problem is narrower, but unfortunately, I’m near a series of waterfalls 7 miles from the airport. Quick flights bring in much cash, it’s now like a war zone — why we will probably move. The County Council said no to my barrage balloons idea...
Drones are restricted, unless hacked, to 400’. No helicopters fly at 400’ — unless there’s nothing to stop them from doing so. It’s hard to say who was at fault here. From my observations, probably both, but more drone than Helo. The Napali Coast is incredibly beautiful. I can’t imagine how ruined the experience is hiking that famous trail with constant Helo’s. I haven’t done it in 5 years, and there wasn’t a single one at that time. If it’s now like my area, it’d be nearly non-stop, which would be another paradise-lost zone. 99% of tourists never leave the ground until they fly home. They don’t like it either. Pilots tend to be sympathetic to passengers, and don’t give a crap about anything on the ground. None of them live where they fly, they’re not stupid! Passengers always want to fly lower, and some pilots accommodate. Passengers post videos on YT, often with the pilot’s chatter boasting about going down as low as possible! I’ve used some of these videos against them in meetings (why I’m hated, LOL).
The FAA mandated helicopters fly 2 miles offshore at 2500’ minimum on Long Island, NY. due to noise. How did this happen? There were no public hearings. The Honorable Senator Schumer, D-NY, got complaints from wealthy contributors up in the Hamptons — they didn’t like hearing helicopters all day. The Long Island Rule came to be in a few months as an experiment. It worked, now it’s permanent. Obviously, money talks... SOOOOOO, many in Hawaii want Long Island applied here. The Helo’s have floats. Tourists wouldn’t care, the coast is the prettiest part of most landscapes. It’s the tour companies that care, it takes too long, burning too much fuel. In Long Island, the FAA told the companies to just deal with it. Problem? Hawaiian Senators Hirono & Schaltz have about as much clout as the drive-up attendant at Wendy’s. I’ve spoken to Schaltz myself..... heaven help us if he’s the best we can send to the Senate. I think he’d forget the fries on every order...
Here is a video shot by a friend’s iPhone 2 years ago. I did a rough edit for him. I gave it to Ch. 4 in Honolulu, with his permission. He’s since moved, I think you can see why. He gets the alitiudes wrong, they are closer to 1000’. I posted it unlisted on YT for him (he’s not computer savvy). It’s been used A LOT, he’s in hiding, LOL...
