Fly Neighborly

Simple, safe flight techniques can significantly reduce helicopter sound and promote community acceptance of vertical aviation. Participate in this voluntary program created by the FAA and endorsed by VAI.

How to Fly Neighborly

When safety allows, “flying neighborly” into and out of landing zones can reduce sound complaints and ensure that surrounding communities continue to benefit from helicopter service. Fly Neighborly provides training on proven sound abatement techniques and profiles specific to each aircraft type.

FAA Fly Neighborly Training

Learn how to Fly Neighborly by visiting our Online Academy and utilizing sound abatement procedures and situational awareness tools to reduce the impact of helicopter noise on the surrounding communities. The training is free of charge to VAI members.

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Fly Neighborly teaches you to reduce sound (when safe) by:

Performing climbing turns instead of level or descending turns
Performing accelerating climbs rather than steady-state or decelerating climbs
Using collective climb instead of cyclic climb
Maintaining a higher altitude
Turning away from the advancing blade
Making steeper takeoffs
Using a steep approach glidepath
Making smooth control inputs
Maximizing steady state segments
Maintaining the same airspeed during a turn.

Fly Neighborly Education

Fly Neighborly Auditory Techniques

Training in sound abatement procedures, auditory evaluation techniques, and situational awareness tools. Free to VAI members.

Fly Neighborly Noise Abatement Guidance

Training in quiet approach operations with procedures specific to seven individual helicopter models. Free to VAI members.

Fly Neighborly Acoustic Animations

Animations demonstrating how helicopter sound is perceived from the ground and the difference created with Fly Neighborly recommendations.

Watch video

More Fly Neighborly Education

Robinson R44 Noise Abatement Guidance

Airbus AS350 Noise Abatement Guidance

Bell 407 Information

How to Fly Neighborly in the Robinson R66

How to Fly Neighborly in the Bell 206

Rotorcraft and Urban Air Mobility Noise Exposure in Communities

“It is critical to our industry’s success that operators and pilots use the Fly Neighborly program to mitigate their impact on their communities. By preserving community compatibility, you protect our access to airspace and infrastructure.”

James Viola

President and CEO, VAI