- March 16, 2021, 6:37 PM AOPA, GAMA, HAI, NATA, NBAA, and the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) have joined forces to oppose two New York City bills they said would severely restrict helicopter operations there. ERHC chairman Tom McCormick estimated that passing these two bills could affect as many as 80 percent of NYC helicopter operations. Bill No. 2026 would prohibit operations at city-managed heliports by most charter helicopters if they are not certified to meet FAR Part 36 Stage 3 noise standards. Military, police, newsgathering, and medevac flights would be exempt. McCormick explained that “very few helicopters are actually certified under Stage 3," but added that many Stage 2 helicopters are quiet enough to meet Stage 3 requirements.