Heliport Initiative:Measure D
Q: What does the Helicopter Initiative do?
A: The Helicopter Initiative would prohibit private helicopter landings and take-offs to and from residences. They would still be permitted at two airports at either end of the county, one in Angwin and one south of Napa.
Q: Why is it important to limit helicopter usage?
A: Helicopters are noisy, low-flying, and intrusive in residential areas. And they are inappropriate in otherwise quiet, peaceful, rural regions like Napa County.
Q: Aren’t helicopters useful in agriculture?
A: The initiative continues to permit necessary landings and take-offs at vineyards to engage in direct agricultural cultivation. However, it would not allow some wineries’ current use of helicopters to transport consultants, executives, and investors indirectly involved in farming.
Q: But aren’t helicopters important in emergencies?
A: The initiative does not restrict the use of helicopters by emergency personnel.
Q: Isn’t the FAA, not Napa County, in charge of air traffic?
A: Yes. But this initiative deals with local land use (the location of heliports) which is under the jurisdiction of local government.
Q: Would helicopter taxi services be allowed?
A: No. Nothing could be more incongruous in quiet semi-rural Napa County than fleets of helicopters overhead disturbing the peace.