05-09-2013, 06:31 PM
Mark, You do seem to agree with me, but don't seem to want to... I have been alarmed at the low flying over the Keaau Schools...there are 5 schools & a senior Living Center all on less that a 1 mile radius...this is NOT the place to fly low, esp right over the schools, but many of the pilots have these schools on their "routine" flight paths... hundreds of over flights (one out, one in) every week....
Yes, the odds of one flight having trouble is very very low... but the more flights, the more you increase the odds of a helicopter problem
Now add helicopters going over the area with 5 schools (not just one), & the lower altitudes that these pilot have chosen to fly and the potential of a very rare event going worse also increases.... sorry it is just math & actuarial science.... if it IS safer to flying at a higher altitude, then YES these guys should be flying higher...
Maybe not over low population jungle Puna, but YES. over schools & senior centers...that IS what is expected, that we strive to protect these areas from harm...
Yes, the odds of one flight having trouble is very very low... but the more flights, the more you increase the odds of a helicopter problem
Now add helicopters going over the area with 5 schools (not just one), & the lower altitudes that these pilot have chosen to fly and the potential of a very rare event going worse also increases.... sorry it is just math & actuarial science.... if it IS safer to flying at a higher altitude, then YES these guys should be flying higher...
Maybe not over low population jungle Puna, but YES. over schools & senior centers...that IS what is expected, that we strive to protect these areas from harm...