[Scan-DC] Those Helos

[Steve Rigby]

Vic/Johanna Culver wrote:

> RR -- thanks for the info.  I'd never have guessed that about
> height being unrestricted.  Vic

   There are some "guidelines" that helo traffic may follow, if they
so desire.  The last time I looked into this, the "guideline" for
height in urban environments was 500', and around 1,000 or 1,500
feet in rural areas.  I thought it odd that the "guidelines"
suggested greater heights in rural areas, given the generally less
dense human population to be bothered, but upon further reflection,
I thought it could be in order to mitigate panicking farm animals,
cattle, sheep, etc.

   There are also helo "routes" in our area, and much of the traffic
does tend to basically adhere to those routes when moving from one
general area to another, though they can deviate if desired.  For
instance, Route 7, or Leesburg Pike, beginning in Alexandria,
through Arlington, into Fairfax County on on toward Leesburg is
designated "Route 4" for helo traffic.  That route serves traffic
intended between Reagan National and Dulles airports.

   Steve