Helicopters flying over south Alexandria driving me insane! (quality of life, living in)

[Flamingo13]

If someone is that sensitive to sound, perhaps they should live in a very rural area?

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

If someone is that sensitive to sound, perhaps they should live in a very rural area?

And not be climbing ladders...

[jmking]

Fort Belvoir loves helicopters. I'll wager that is where most are flying out of, especially at night.

[Anna_Gray]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Surely, you cannot be suggesting that, due to your disability, that all helicopter and plane traffic over Alexandria must cease? From what you write, it is not the cumulation of noise, each and every instance can cause you pain and or serious injury (falling off the ladder). If that is the case, for your own health, please move somewhere that is far away from an international airport and flight paths to limit these incidents.

If I am someone that is severely affected by heat, and get heat stroke whenever it is above 85 degrees, I cannot expect sympathy if I choose to live in Miami.

Not at all. There has to be a healthy balance. Interests of one group cannot always prevail. What I am personally very sad about is that interests of Autistic people are literally NEVER considered.

The City could have set up a noise free area within the City or right outside of it, where we could go. As far as I know, they were working on something like this in Australia. When I contacted the City and asked what resources they have for Autistic adults, I never heard back. They just closed 311 request without resolution.

Increasing altitude would also reduce the noise. Please understand that my home now is right in the flight path and they often fly below 200 feet. Noise from them is 80-95 Db. I can barely tolerate 40 Db.

I have considered moving to a rural area. While I would be OK with it, my family members who have to work in DC would not be, so right now, sadly, that is not possible. Add to that having a very limited income. This, by the way, is a very common problem for Autistic community. Many of us are underemployed or unemployed. Yet, many disability services and devices cost in the hundreds of dollars. A pair of good noise-cancelling headphones capable of knocking off at least 40 Db can cost between $300-900 and a specialized therapy session can cost $450.

[Countryfreak]

I feel for you Anna and those in your shoes. But choppers are just a way of life in cities such as DC and NY. No way of escaping this at all. Take the med flights. Military, law enforcement and so on and there is no stopping it. And I cannot imagine the logistical nightmare with this statement of yours......"The City could have set up a noise free area within the City or right outside of it, where we could go." . This in itself would so difficult to control and law enforcement needs exemptions as do the med flights. I've flown with USPP many times and there is no restricting them except for things like the White House area. I understand this is something that can bother many with sensitivities to loud noises but I see no real answers available on how to avoid them while living in this area.

[dkf747]

You don’t have to move to a rural area. There are areas in the DC Metro area where the noise isn’t like that.

[getatag]

Originally Posted by Anna_Gray

This is NOT sound of security. This is sound of pain, suffering, and sorrow. I am Autistic. I hear things 20 times louder than you and have hearing range of 1 mile. I have damaged all of my limbs because of the loud aircraft noise. My left leg is fractured due to exposure to loud helicopter noise. I live in constant pain and have since developed PTSD to that noise. Since they continue to fly here, I became suicidal. I feel dizzy and cannot see anything when I hear helicopter noise. One-sided world view of the neurotypicals like you has never ceased to amaze me.

Now to who is responsible. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulates movement of all air traffic over the city. I have tried to talk to them. They chose to hide from me like the useless cowards they are. I also talked to the Alexandria mayor. He was very courteous but also completely useless. There are 27 helipads in our area. Some belong to police agencies, such as Fairfax PD, some - to the military, including Pentagon, some - to the hospitals, especially Inova Hospital.

The FAA supposedly had a committee "studying" the issue. Since none of the Autistic people were included in these "studies", I have all reasons to not believe in their truthfulness and usefulness. When those most affected by the issue are not even considered, then the "study" is no more than another lie to escape liability.

Congressman Beyer has set up helicopter noise complaint system here: https://beyer.house.gov/uploadedfile...tive_flyer.pdf Me and my caregiver have been filing the complaints for a few months now. So far, nothing has come out of it.
The FAA has its own aircraft noise complaint system here: https://noise.faa.gov/noise/pages/noise.html

I have found an aviation attorney and plan to sue the FAA under Federal Torts Claims Act for nuisance and trespass. I suggest you all do the same.

Some of the cities (such as Los Angeles and Phoenix) in the past have successfully sued the FAA over the same and similar issues. Our dear city of Alexandria apparently chose not to do so, even though they, too, have successfully sued the FAA in the past (1983).

YES, that is exactly what you said...... please read your own words highlighted above.

Sorry about it, but you didn't express your accident correctly.

FYI, less than 1% of the population are on the autistic spectrum to your degree.
The needs of many normally outweigh the needs of a few, especially in this case.

MOVE! Do everything in your power to move where the environment better suits you.

[skeddy]

ear plugs or move, your choice.

[whiskeytangofoxtrotalpha]

So you moved to the epicenter of military and government and are bothered by aircraft noise? The Pentagon wont care if it bothers you, they will say if you don't like it then move.

[Anna_Gray]

On Tuesday September 27th, military helicopters flew over my home every 20 minutes. In the evening of that day, police and the city psychologist went to my home to prevent my suicide.

Imagine a war veteran who has PTSD to the sound of gunfire. Now subject him to this sound every 20 minutes. What do you think will happen to him?..

So you moved to the epicenter of military and government and are bothered by aircraft noise?

I moved here in 2017. It was not like this then. Otherwise, I would not have moved here.

There are areas in the DC Metro area where the noise isn’t like that.

Do you know where? I would appreciate an address if you know it. Thank you.

ear plugs or move, your choice.

I have acute fungal ear infection from wearing earplugs and earbuds all the time. Blood and other unsightly liquids are coming out of my ears. It also causes severe pain. So it is not my choice anymore