Valley Village, CA. - Congressman Howard L. Berman hailed the announcement by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California (RTNA) to pool their coverage of Carmageddon II this weekend.  RTNA’s announcement comes less than a week after Rep. Berman held a press conference with Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, California Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), and Bob Anderson of Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association urging helicopter operators to use restraint over the weekend.

As part of the coordinated agreement between local TV and radio news stations, the pool will limit air traffic to a single helicopter that will fly over the closure area before the top of the hour when major newscasts are scheduled on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and Monday morning. The Los Angeles Times article on the announcement can be found here.

“I am pleased to see that the news companies have taken our quality of life concerns seriously and have agreed to work together to moderate their use of helicopters over the weekend,” said Rep. Berman. “This weekend will be a test of self restraint to see if operators and pilots could police themselves.  This announcement is an encouraging step, and hopefully is proof that we can have responsible up-to-date news coverage without severely impacting the safety and quality of life of those who live near the 405.”

Background

Rep. Berman heard a wave of complaints about the incessant helicopter noise from local residents during and after the first Carmageddon in July of last year. Rep. Berman spearheaded an effort to address the quality of life and safety concerns caused by helicopters flying over residential areas of Los Angeles, by introducing H.R. 2677, the Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Relief Act, which would direct the FAA to regulate helicopter traffic in Los Angeles County.

At the request of Rep. Berman, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has agreed to conduct a report on the issue of helicopter noise in LA.  Last month, Rep. Berman hosted a public hearing on helicopter noise, where FAA representatives heard directly from community groups and residents about their experience with helicopter noise.  The testimony at the hearing will weigh heavily on the final FAA report, which is expected by next year.

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