Chopper flight limits sought

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Worried about an increase in noisy flights over residential neighborhoods, Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani wants a moratorium on new helicopter flyovers in urban areas.

Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, has requested a bill to be introduced in the 2003 Legislature to stop local governments in Clark County to grant variances to helicopter companies.

Her bill was one of 65 requested last week by legislators.

Giunchigliani was one of a few who allowed their names to be published with their bill requests.

As of Friday there were 902 requests for bills for the session that opens in February.

The 2001 Legislature, at the request of Giunchigliani, permitted the Clark County Commission to set up an advisory committee to examine aircraft noise and to look at existing and proposed flight paths for aircraft.

She said the committee hasn't made its recommendations and needs more time to study the issue. In the meantime, she wants to stop any variances that would permit more flights over residential neighborhoods.

The best plan, she said, is to move helicopter pads out of the urban areas. She said she may add a tax incentive to her bill to relocate some of the companies away from the population centers.

Jim Spinello, a member of the advisory committee, said the county has the authority, outside of the airport area, to determine where helicopter landing areas or pads can be located.