Grand Canyon to become more quiet

Elizabeth Dutton

Monday, Jan. 5, 1998 | 10:42 a.m.

The Grand Canyon soon will be a little quieter thanks to new helicopter technology.

The Grand Canyon National Park will dedicate its new Boeing/McDonnell Douglas-900 helicopter in a ceremony Tuesday.

The helicopter, which utilizes NOTAR or "no tail rotor" technology, allows the National Park Service to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations that recently went into effect. The National Parks Overflights Act requires the NPS restore natural quiet in the park.

A contract for helicopter services was awarded to Papillon Airways of Seattle on Oct. 10. The contract is the largest ever negotiated by the NPS and is the first of its kind to incorporate quiet technology standards for aircraft.

"The new NPS contract is a significant contribution to mitigating noise over the Grand Canyon, and confirms our dedication to achieving the goal by the year 2008," Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Robert Arnberger said.

Although the main reason for switching to this type of helicopter is noise reduction, the park will also benefit from the aircraft's increased passenger and cargo payloads. Officials also say the helicopter's twin-engine feature makes it safer.

Speakers at the dedication will include Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt.