ADVOCACY GROUPS SUPPORT LAWSUIT TO CURB SVFR RESTRICTIONS AT HTO

The town of East Hampton at East Hampton Airport (HTO) has been issued a temporary restraining order to prohibit the town’s illegal restriction on SVFR clearances provided by the control tower at HTO. While East Hampton provides funding for the tower at HTO, the town does not have the authority to regulate airspace per FAA regulations. The issuance of the restraining order was prompted by a lawsuit filed through Zip Aviation in which the company claimed the restriction of SVFR clearances unfairly impacted their helicopter operations.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), and the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council (ERHC) backed Zip Aviation’s lawsuit in court with an amicus curiae brief. The groups cited previous laws and regulations implemented to prohibit towns from disassembling the National Airspace System through unwarranted access restrictions. If East Hampton were allowed to proceed with the SVFR prohibition, the groups argued such action would potentially lead to other restrictions inconsistent with federal law at airports nationwide. Further arguments between the town and Zip Aviation are expected to occur in late September. Federal grant assurances for HTO are also set to expire in September at which time the town will have the option to close the airport.