The Fly Neighborly Guide

The Fly Neighborly Program is a voluntary noise reduction program designed to be implemented worldwide by local helicopter operators, large and small. The program includes all types of civil, military, and government helicopter operators. The Fly Neighborly Guide is published under the auspices of the Helicopter Association International to promote helicopter noise abatement procedures. It is intended to serve only as a guide, and is by no means comprehensive.

The guidelines are intended to assist pilots, operators, managers, and designated Fly Neighborly officers to establish an effective, self-sustained Fly Neighborly program. The flight procedures and concepts outlined herein must be further tailored to suit local needs, and to ensure that local or regional organizations cooperate to develop a strong, well-organized and disciplined approach to achieving Fly Neighborly objectives.

The guide is divided into seven sections: 

• Pilot training and related noise abatement procedures
• Operator programs and what can be done to promote noise abatement operations
• Public acceptance and community concerns
• Helicopter noise and its causes
• A glossary
• Helicopter manufacturers
• Regional affiliate members of HAI 

Click here to read Fly Neighborly Guide

Quieter Technology

In the fall of 1981, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to withdraw a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on helicopter noise while technical data were acquired, with the understanding that the helicopter industry would implement a voluntary noise reduction program. We should not, however, consider the Fly Neighborly Program as merely a stop-gap measure, put together to preclude federal regulation. After all, the public commonly asks: 

• How is technology advancing to make helicopters quieter?
• When will this technology be in daily use?

Clearly, new technology is creating quieter, more advanced equipment every day, and this equipment will eventually be commercially available. Until then, the Fly Neighborly Program offers the technical information necessary for helicopter operators to use current equipment as quietly as practical, and to communicate to the public their efforts to make helicopter operations compatible with nearly all land uses. 

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) Fly Neighborly Committee, composed of members of HAI, the FAA, military, and other associations, launched the Fly Neighborly Program in 1982. It has since gained international acceptance. In the United States, the program has gained the full support of helicopter operators, regional associations, manufacturers, pilots, and communities throughout the country. Federal, state, and local government agencies have embraced the program and taken an active part in sponsoring Fly Neighborly presentations in conjunction with safety seminars and other activities. Worldwide, the helicopter industry and its related communities are being informed about the Fly Neighborly Program.

Objectives

The Fly Neighborly Program addresses noise abatement and public acceptance objectives with programs in the following areas: 

Additional Information

Individuals, operators, or agencies desiring additional information should contact the HAI Fly Neighborly staff liaison at flyneighborly@rotor.com or by writing to:

Helicopter Association International
1635 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314