Town Revokes Fly Blade's License At East Hampton Airport

EAST HAMPTON, NY — In the next round of its battle against helicopter noise, East Hampton Town announced Friday that the town has revoked the airport license agreement of Fly Blade, Inc. at East Hampton Airport.

The town board also authorized the East Hampton town attorney to file a complaint with the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings of the United States Department of Transportation, asking for a review of Fly Blade’s practices and their consistency with federal obligations, a release from the town said.

“Our small, local general aviation airport is not designed for scheduled air service,’ East Hampton Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, who also serves as town board co-liaison to East Hampton Airport, said. “The town will not tolerate operators violating the law, especially when the safety of the flying public is jeopardized by unfair and deceptive business practices of operators.”

Federal laws, including U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, dictate the definition and classification of air transportation services and how they can operate, the release said.

According to the release sent out by East Hampton Town officials, "Fly Blade, Inc. has previously been investigated by the Department of Transportation and determined to have violated federal law by engaging in air transportation as a direct and indirect air carrier without economic authority from the Department of Transportation."

As a result of the violations, Fly Blade, Inc. signed a consent agreement with the Department of Transportation and paid a fine of $40,000, the release said.

“Until such time that they prove that they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, they have no place at East Hampton Airport,” Councilman Jeffrey Bragman, co-liaison for East Hampton Airport said. “Ride sharing of helicopters which masquerades as scheduled service is damaging to our community and small airport.”

Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said the town faces a steep increase in air traffic through "businesses that appear to offer, in advance, scheduled passenger service to the airport, either through smartphone applications or by offering scheduled passenger service to the public directly."

However, he said, the town has an obligation not just to ensure that the airport remains safe for all users, and also,"that adequate disclosures are made to the traveling public with respect to commercial arrangements at the airport."

Blade's legal counsel Eddie Burke, Jr. issued a statement: "No representatives from the Town of East Hampton have contacted Blade regarding this matter. Blade arranges helicopter and seaplane flights to multiple destinations in the East End of Long Island and elsewhere in the Northeast in full compliance with all DOT regulations," he said.

The company, Burke added, has requested a meeting with East Hampton Town representatives to provide an understanding as to how Blade arranges flights within federal guidelines.

On the North Fork last year, a proposed helicopter tour with Blade to a North Fork vineyard sparked concerns; that event was canceled.

Teresa McCaskie, chair of the Southold Town helicopter noise steering committee, applauded East Hampton: "Blade has been 'called out' for their dirty practices. Bravo to the East Hampton town board for their continued commitment by ensuring that laws and rules be abided by accordingly.”

Of the license revocation, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said: "East Hampton has gone to extraordinary measures to be a good neighbor to the towns on the East End. It has also taken bold action to bring relief to the residents of the community there. This is one act, one step in the fight to take back our skies. Hopefully this, combined with steps taken in the past and that will be taken in the future, will bring relief to the residents of Southold Town."

Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio, liaison to the town's helicopter noise steering committee, added, "I’m pleased to see East Hampton continue to fight for compliance from aircraft and aircraft companies using their airport. They are being good neighbors. But, hile this might help bring some relief to Southold’s residents, it would be nice if the rest of the aircraft would start using the south shore route in an equitable share arrangement."

Residents for years have been crying out about the increase in helicopter noise on the East End. Margy Pisani, who lives on Peconic Bay Boulevard in Laurel, raised concerns last year: "Helicopters pollute our air and water. They disturb the tranquil quality of life we wish to preserve on the North Fork. We are already besieged by helicopters, sea planes, and private jets crossing over our homes en route to the South Fork. We need to control our destiny here on the North Fork."

Media representatives for Fly Blade, Inc. did not immediately return a request for comment.

Patch file photo of a helicopter from a previous story about helicopter noise on the East End.