What was up with that huge chopper sunday?

[DallasJFestersince80's]

I hope the FAA Fines himand pulla his license for that lame sunt that he pulled-film crew or no film crew you don't put thousands of people at risk under you PERIOD!

If others agree write the FAA and let the know how you feal about it! I will send the FAA clear shots of the chopper with tail # so they can go after him!

BTW he was flyng so low the FAA tower at the NOLA airport would not have seen him on their radar!

I think the planes with banners were flying at 500 ft and he was well below them.

[Staxsun]

I have to agree. He was scary flying over everyone constantly. I hope someone took down his number. If so, that's the last we'll see of him.

[DallasJFestersince80's]

I have good clear ics of him overhead with tail #-people need to write the FAA and complain!

i ASKED A couple of the fest staff working the back the ACURA STAGE and they acted like it happens all the time. Also found out that NO POLICE do not have chopper and they have to rely on a state bird to help them.

[Staxsun]

I have good clear ics of him overhead with tail #-people need to write the FAA and complain!

i ASKED A couple of the fest staff working the back the ACURA STAGE and they acted like it happens all the time. Also found out that NO POLICE do not have chopper and they have to rely on a state bird to help them.

The state bird. That would be the mosquito?

[DallasJFestersince80's]

St Police Whirleybird-aka chopper

[Staxsun]

St Police Whirleybird-aka chopper

I knew what you meant. I was just trying to be funny.

[rosetree]

I just assumed that they were hired by the Fest and taking crowd shots...

[NOLA]

I just assumed that they were hired by the Fest and taking crowd shots...

Me too, but aggravating none the less. I wanted to hear Robert Cray, not some GD helicopter. And yes, they did seem to be flying way too low to me.

[piscesgirl]

Man, no kidding. I was about to get out my foil hat. They were hovering right over our heads at Congo Square. It was ridiculous!

[mariena]

It was most annoying because it interrupted our Robert Cray show which was outstanding by the way. Anyone agree?

[FLSusan]

It was most annoying because it interrupted our Robert Cray show which was outstanding by the way. Anyone agree?

Mariena, it was awful over at the Jazz tent. It really bothered a lot of people trying to enjoy Terance Blanchard. I was especially upset that it interrupted several of Terance's solos and one by his bass player.

I want an official explanation of exactly *what* that helicopter was doing... As of now, I'm pissed off that it interrupted such incredible music and endangered lives on the ground.

[festbabe]

Agreed - it was annoying. I don't recall a chopper flyer that low/long in years past for crowd shots.

[almarco]

Agreed - it was annoying. I don't recall a chopper flyer that low/long in years past for crowd shots.

hey that was my ride back to the quarter!

[Marc Stone]

I agree, Cray was awesome (and the chopper sucked!). Every time I see him he seems to get better, and man was his guitar tone gorgeous. I am seriously coveting his amps right now.

[linza22]

Me too, but aggravating none the less. I wanted to hear Robert Cray, not some GD helicopter. And yes, they did seem to be flying way too low to me.


i saw Robert Cray recently. was he not wonderful! absolutely loved him!

[dank_bass]

I agree, Cray was awesome (and the chopper sucked!). Every time I see him he seems to get better, and man was his guitar tone gorgeous. I am seriously coveting his amps right now.

Dont know if its your scene or not Marc, But Steve Kimock is a serious "tone" guy, like down to getting speakers custom coned, and building shit himself... very excellent player too, has some late night shows around town this week

[NOLA]

i saw Robert Cray recently. was he not wonderful! absolutely loved him!

Great set yesterday; hadn't seen him in a few years and loved it. I wanted to launch a SAM at the f-in chopper though....

Dont know if its your scene or not Marc, But Steve Kimock is a serious "tone" guy, like down to getting speakers custom coned, and building shit himself... very excellent player too, has some late night shows around town this week

Got tix for the Friday night show at Tips FQ. Hope they don't oversell it; I heard the Tab show there on Saturday night was way too crowded....

[Belle]

Mariena, it was awful over at the Jazz tent. It really bothered a lot of people trying to enjoy Terance Blanchard. I was especially upset that it interrupted several of Terance's solos and one by his bass player.

I want an official explanation of exactly *what* that helicopter was doing... As of now, I'm pissed off that it interrupted such incredible music and endangered lives on the ground.

WWOZ made reference to it and you could here it on the air too!

[windowman]

Festydave, If you could please tell us what the deal was with the helicopter yesterday afternoon? It was an absolute buzzkill.

[missippidave]

Maybe it was Bon Jovi

[BLV1960]

Need to have a NO FLY ZONE over the F.G. Only in the event of an emergency should this have happened. VERY ANNOYING but it didn't ruin my day.

[PatMcGovernRules]

Maybe it was Bon Jovi


That just made my day! Very funny.

[jolie]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n73/cantrellclack/34c9409c4329e55393c4f8b94999cc07.jpg

It's a nice shot.. with the city in the back.. I remember one similar a few years back

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

I thought is was Dave Matthews flying in.
Somehow, I was able to tune it out.

[pokerchick66]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o231/monica7966/Jazzfest20091stWeekend053.jpg

[snookums]

I asked one of the police officers what that was all about? he basically was clueless... <du'oh>
he really had NO idea why the helicopter was there... I do agree that flying that low over the crowds really was totally uncalled for! They should just use google earth for the shots.

it did accomplish one thing... NO stage bleed~

[festbabe]

..

it did accomplish one thing... NO stage bleed~

(snort)

[festbabe]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n73/cantrellclack/34c9409c4329e55393c4f8b94999cc07.jpg

It's a nice shot.. with the city in the back.. I remember one similar a few years back

o hell yeah. That similar pic from a couple years ago used to be my computer wallpaper. Now this one will be!

[McGregor]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w113/stynger1/jazzfestgrandstand.jpg

[FLSusan]

WWOZ made reference to it and you could here it on the air too!

Oh no; that's terrible.

[DallasJFestersince80's]

That TP Shot was not from that chopper since he did not fly over while Dave was on stage, notice dave on the screens, had to come from one of the planes pulling banners which is where the fricken chopper shouldhave been to.

After someone did some digging the company who had the chopper got the proper releases by the FAA to do something, not what I think they actually did and if an FAA guy did sign off on a waiver to allow him to do what he did he should no longer be working for the FAA nor even flipping burgers!

FAA REGS:
FAR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

So, unless the FAA issued a notice to airman (NOTAM) restricting flight operations for this specific event (per FAR 19.145), he was within the law.

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...%20restriction

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Era Helicopters

Lake Charles, LA 70606
600 Airport Service Road (Physical Address)
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Toll-free: 800 655 1414
and
FAA Contacts
Southwest Region Regional Administrator
Teresa Bruner
(817) 222-5000


Southwest Region Deputy Regional Adminstrator
Michael O'Harra
(817) 222-5000


Southwest Region Regional Operations Center
24-hour Accident and Incident Response
(817) 222-5006


Regional Office Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Southwest Region
2601 Meacham Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76137-4298

[pokerchick66]

It was another presidential photo op. ;)

[FLSusan]

That TP Shot was not from that chopper since he did not fly over while Dave was on stage, notice dave on the screens, had to come from one of the planes pulling banners which is where the fricken chopper shouldhave been to.

After someone did some digging the company who had the chopper got the proper releases by the FAA to do something, not what I think they actually did and if an FAA guy did sign off on a waiver to allow him to do what he did he should no longer be working for the FAA nor even flipping burgers!

FAA REGS:
FAR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

So, unless the FAA issued a notice to airman (NOTAM) restricting flight operations for this specific event (per FAR 19.145), he was within the law.

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...%20restriction


Dallas-

I contacted the FAA this morning and received an email from an aviation safety analyst who would like the photos. Would you please post them or email them to me? FLEric_MyUserName(at)yahoo(dot)com

[tvengineer]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w113/stynger1/jazzfestgrandstand.jpg

Don't' know what year that is.. but it must be pretty old..

No Congo Square.. only two tents on the concrete...
no New Orleans Arena.

Nice picture though.

[pokerchick66]

Don't' know what year that is.. but it must be pretty old..

No Congo Square.. only two tents on the concrete...
no New Orleans Arena.

Nice picture though.

Where's my lagniappe?

[911S]

i waved

[festfreak]

Most of the folks around us at the Gentilly Stage (me included) gave them the one finger salute every time they came over us...it really takes some chutzpah for a few folks in a chopper to think its ok to f-up a musical experience for thousands of people...I mean, could they even hear the music?? What was the point?

[tvengineer]

Where's my lagniappe?

I have it... I missed the meetup on Sunday... Didn't know you were going to be there...
All ready for second weekend...
Your sazurac awaits

[The Dude]

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/697/dsc0492.jpg

Here is the pic I took of it as it flew overhead during Better than Ezra.

[windowman]

Dallas-

I contacted the FAA this morning and received an email from an aviation safety analyst who would like the photos. Would you please post them or email them to me? FLEric_MyUserName(at)yahoo(dot)com

Happy to send this picture along. Hope it helps locate the moron(s) involved. Someone needs to do some time for this stunt.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/windowman_2007/P4260180-1.jpg


http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/windowman_2007/P4260180.jpg

I will send you a full size file, FLEric.

[festbabe]

That TP Shot was not from that chopper since he did not fly over while Dave was on stage, notice dave on the screens, had to come from one of the planes pulling banners which is where the fricken chopper shouldhave been to.

..

I was against the back track during DMB and there were photographers being lifted in one of those crane-things (like the guys who work on telephone wires, but this was longer and went up higher). I think the angle looks right for that. Although a plane with the banner and a great zoom lense would probably get the same shot.

[pokerchick66]

I have it... I missed the meetup on Sunday... Didn't know you were going to be there...
All ready for second weekend...
Your sazurac awaits

Ohhh, baby! I've never had sazurac. I will be there Friday bright and early. :D

[pokerchick66]

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/697/dsc0492.jpg

Here is the pic I took of it as it flew overhead during Better than Ezra.

DAMN. What a fantastic picture! :eek:

You can almost see the pilot's earwax! :p

[DallasJFestersince80's]

I have a number shots up in my Jazzfest album
http://www.pbase.com/pgkps/jazzfest_2009_sunday_april_26
BTW if he pulls up the EXIF data it will show the time and zoom level of the lens that I used. (I did crop one shot that was posted to get a clear view of the chopper).

I wish one of my shots showed how he was tilted when slowly going over the crowd to throw the angle that the camera guy was shooting more downward, some of the shots show it but the perspective is hard to realize. (one nice thing with him being tilted the wash from the blades wasn't beating the crowd to death but it made it a lot more dangerous if he had any mechanical problems).

Page 7 has most of the shots on it.

[Blue Dog]

I must apologize for my insensitivity to the threadhead nation. I admit that I was flying too close to the ground. I promise never to do that again. However, I was threatened with waterboarding, nude bathing, and lapdancing if I didn't cooperate. I was weak and should have been more strong. Please forgive. I beg you; please don't report me to the FAA. I will never be able to fly again. I know how much power you have and how very important your feelings are. I will be vanquished forever if the threadheads turn on me. Please accept my apology. I didn't know you took my picture also. I was only trying to take your picture. You are the most cool people. I promise never to do it again and I will write it 25 times if that would help.

Love,
Your friend,
The Copter Dog

[Hollyhawk]

[QUOTE=Blue Dog;256448]I must apologize for my insensitivity to the threadhead nation. I admit that I was flying too close to the ground. I promise never to do that again. However, I was threatened with waterboarding, nude bathing, and lapdancing if I didn't cooperate. I was weak and should have been more strong. Please forgive. I beg you; please don't report me to the FAA. I will never be able to fly again. I know how much power you have and how very important your feelings are. I will be vanquished forever if the threadheads turn on me. Please accept my apology. I didn't know you took my picture also. I was only trying to take your picture. You are the most cool people. I promise never to do it again and I will write it 25 times if that would help.

Love,
Your friend,
The Copter Dog[/QUOTE

Pardon me , don't you also owe an to apology to the total population of Jazzfest and the surrounding neighborhoods? Wonder how many of the thousands attendees also took your photo? I sure in the hell would have had I'd been there.

[DallasJFestersince80's]

I bet next year we will see toy helicopters hanging off of TOTEMS at the fest!

Blue dog with her Snoopy goggels on (You know from his WWI Flying Ace Days against the Red Baron), Prof Longhair with a copter beenie on his head, Elvis with flight jacket on, etc.

But back to reality the guy did a stupid thing and what is really odd I looked at several shots, some mine some others which show the guys in the back just shooting with a 35MM camera and not a MOVIE/FILM/HiDef Video SET UP which just says the guy just didn't give a shit about safety since the photographer could have easily gotten his shots by using a BETTER LENSE than what I noticed on the camera!

[windowman]

Don't forget that you can "ignore" all posts by any user that happens to also be a moron. Just click on the username and the choice will appear for you to select and POOF! No more moronic posts, just like magic.

I have found that one of the saddest parts of life on Earth is that whenever it seems that the supply of a$$holes is running low, they always make more.

[tvengineer]

I just got this from the neighborhood assocations email list...

seems Jazz Fest is SORRY for the helicopter incident


Concerning the obnoxious helicopter. The helicopter was working for the Jazz Fest taking photographs. We have been told the pilot was not properly briefed as far as keeping his distance and not annoying the crowd and neighborhood. This photography has been done in the past but with a smaller, quieter helicopter and not as close to the ground. The Fest personnel have apologized profusedly for this faux pas and assures us that it will never happen again.

[Rossvegas]

Thanks for the update, amigo.

I was actually pretty unnerved by the whole thing because I had to fly through Washington, DC, and the whole "Homeland Security" thing was a nightmare. It bothers me to think that the gov't is terrified about my small bottle of shampoo and my deadly Tevas, but they have no problem allowing any moron to fly over 90,000 people. Why ISN'T Jazzfest a no-fly zone? Can any azzhole just rent a chopper and do what they want over the Fest? I hate to sound paranoid, but...

[DallasJFestersince80's]

I was getting that vibe that he was hired by the Fest from the Fest staff that I was talking too but they wouldn't flat out say that it was their moron up there.

whoever that photographer is should never be hired by the fest again, putting all of those people at risk for a shot that probably will never be used!

Jeeze hasn't the guy heard about RENTING a 400mm 2.8 lens? Or even a 500 2.8 that would get the shot that he wanted at a safe distance? (BTW he can add what is called a doubler and make those 800 and 1000mm lenses that are still a fast 5.6 and he could shoot pics of flys at 300 ft!

I still hope the FAA goes hard on that pilot because what he did was totally irresponsible and put too many people in danger PERIOD!

[ibjamn]

Why ISN'T Jazzfest a no-fly zone?

Hebjamn (who is a pilot) said the same thing, Ross.

[festfreak]

Official word from Jazz Fest...it was their photographer:

http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2009/04/jazz_fest_issues_statement_abo.html

[jazzjones]

re: "the festival photographer was not aware that the flyover was as loud as it turned out to be."

The volume was only a small part of the issue. Of far greater concern, as has been noted, was the potential danger to festgoers. It should never have happened, and whoever approved it has some 'splainin' to do, big time.

[DallasJFestersince80's]

The low cloud deck thing was total Bs since the planes with banners were twice as high and clearly visible. Also not being able to communicate with the chopper is BS too since that pilot always has "ears on".

SO THE FEST F'D UP and won't admit it!

[Gards]

The low cloud deck thing was total Bs since the planes with banners were twice as high and clearly visible. Also not being able to communicate with the chopper is BS too since that pilot always has "ears on".

SO THE FEST F'D UP and won't admit it!

Well I would say that the company they hired stuffed up big time,but at the present it seems like nobody wants to fall on their sword.

[luvlive]

Better than Ezra tried to make the most of it, but you could see it was irking Kevin Griffin. On the third or fourth fly-over he said something like lets give them what they're looking for, everyone in the audience wave to them, and then like 40 thousand people started waving to the damn thing. Don't know if that made them hover longer or hit the road, they only did one more circle after than. Funny, even with that stage's huge wattage even the musicians were bothered by the noise and mass life-threatening saftey hazzard.

[ABITAGIRL1]

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/letterstoeditor/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1241328003271210.xml&coll=1

Noticed this letter to the editor in the Picayune today. Quint apologizes for the chopper incident........

[FLSusan]

June 2, 2009


Dear Ms. xxxxxxx:

This letter is in response to your inquiry on April 27, 2009 regarding a low flying helicopter over the fair grounds at Jazzfest in New Orleans, La. We have found insufficient evidence to proceed with enforcement action, and we consider this matter closed. However, if you have any further information that would assist the FAA in pursuance of an action, please contact this flight standards district office.

Thank you for your concern and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,



Stephen Norred
ASI Operations
BTR - FSDO
(225) 932-5913



Any comments you may have on services provided are appreciated. Please email feedback to:
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/qms/



So, I guess they get off without even a slap on their wrists.

[festbabe]

"insufficient evidence"?? What would be sufficient - a decapitation?

[windowman]

"insufficient evidence"?? What would be sufficient - a decapitation?

Probably, considering the fact that the peeps that hired the chopper produce the fest. Your tax dollars at work. Hopefully the morons responsible for this stunt have been dealt with on some level so that it never happens again. The pilot should have been fined at the very least. Effin doofus...

[Orleansnj]

"insufficient evidence"?? What would be sufficient - a decapitation?

Well - let's see -how many of us have video?

it's probably already on you tube.....(and no, I haven't posted anything on you tube.)

[mightyradgumbo]

Probably, considering the fact that the peeps that hired the chopper produce the fest. Your tax dollars at work. Hopefully the morons responsible for this stunt have been dealt with on some level so that it never happens again. The pilot should have been fined at the very least. Effin doofus...

Well if the hiring agent allows them to fly in that space, then I agree with the FAA rep that there is insufficient evidence...I thing everyone is getting mad at the wrong folks...the people that should be held accountable are the effin doofuses at JF that allowed this to occur.