Letter to Administrator, Randy Babbitt Federal Aviation Administration

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration to speed up the approval of the Onondaga Sheriff's office's request for an FAA commuter charter license for its Air-1 helicopter. The Sheriff's office has applied for an FAA license, which would allow the chopper to charge for its flights, thus relieving local taxpayers of the heavy operating costs. The County legislature is expected to vote on funding levels for the helicopter when it considers its budget for the coming fiscal year on October 10th. If the FAA approves the license before October 10th, county legislators will be assured that the Air-1 chopper will begin to become self-sustaining, making it more likely that they will approve funding for the pilots to keep Air-1 in the air, saving lives.

"Air-1 is a life saving helicopter that makes Central New York safer," said Schumer. "We have a win-win solution here that can keep Air-1 up in the air while relieving the burden on local taxpayers. If the FAA grants this license, Air-1 will be well on its way to being a self-sustaining, life-saving program that will benefit area residents without driving up taxes. I strongly urge the FAA to sign off on this license, to keep Air-1 flying, and keep the tax burden low."

Schumer already successfully sped up the push for not-for-profit status for Air-1, which has led to the creation of a foundation through which Air-1 can receive donations, thus further relieving the burden on local taxpayers. While it often takes the IRS three months to approve requests for not-for-profit status, Schumer successfully secured this designation just three weeks after the sheriff applied. In a personal letter to FAA Administrator Babbitt, Schumer urged the agency to speed up the processing of the license application, so that the Sheriff's office has the application in hand before the county votes on funding levels October 10th.

A copy of Schumer's letter appears below:

September 22, 2011

Administrator, Randy Babbitt

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Babbitt:

I write today regarding a Commuter Charter Pilot License application submitted to you by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department in regards to their helicopter, AIR-1. The application submitted is awaiting official review. I am asking the FAA to expedite this review process as it relates to AIR-1 because of the public safety service it provides in and around Onondaga County.

I have been working with officials in the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for several months, helping to streamline their effort to privatize AIR-1 and have learned of the many thousands of hours volunteered and the lives saved because it was in the air.

The chopper performs both medical transports and serves as a homeland security tool for Upstate, New York. The continued success of this chopper, and the county's aviation program, depends on a strong public-private partnership--the reason an expedited review by your agency is so urgent.

Again, I request that your agency approve AIR-1's application as soon as possible and remain available to answer any questions you might have regarding this matter. Moreover, I know the Sheriff's Department stands ready to provide any additional information you might need to expedite their application's approval.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senate

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