Quiet aircraft technology legislation introduced

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 11:19 a.m.

Legislation that would reward air tour operators that upgrade their fleets to run quieter has been introduced by two Nevada lawmakers.

The U.S. Air Tour Association has embraced the Grand Canyon Quiet Technology Implementation Act, introduced by Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign.

Under the legislation, air tour companies, including seven that operate from Southern Nevada bases, would be exempt from flight caps, curfews and other restrictions imposed in earlier legislation if they incorporate quiet technology in their planes.

Tour planes can be made quieter with turbine engines, a higher number of propellers or rotor blades and newly designed exhaust mufflers. The legislation also considers fleet upgrades of planes with larger capacities, which could reduce the number of flights needed to transport the same number of passengers.

"We commend Sens. Reid and Ensign for recognizing the importance of quiet technology and for skillfully crafting legislation based on contemporary aircraft technology which is both reasonably achievable and affordable to air tour companies," said Steve Bassett, president of the U.S. Air Tour Association.

But Tom Robinson, director of government affairs for the Grand Canyon Trust, an environmental organization, said his group opposes the proposal.

"The concept of quiet technology is a good one, but what this (bill) does is undermine (Arizona Sen. John) McCain's earlier legislation that we were trying so hard to implement," Robinson said. "Quiet technology is not quiet. It's just quieter."