The town of East Hampton recently issued a series of criminal summonses to "several" Part 135 and 91 operators for alleged noise and curfew violations at East Hampton Airport in New York, according to NATA. These summonses set an October 31 appearance date and threaten arrest for failure to appear. The number of summonses issued is unclear, but NATA has received word that several operators are affected. 

This is the latest action by the town, which in April 2015 adopted an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew for all aircraft and 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. curfew for so-called “noisy” aircraft, which, under the town’s definition, includes most business jets and helicopters. Multiple Part 16 complaints have been filed against the town over the noise ordinance in addition to a lawsuit that is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit. Arguments in that case were heard in June. NATA and NBAA have expressed concerns that that the restrictions violate the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA) and FAA grant assurances.

East Hampton had appeared to have refrained from enforcement of the violations until the round of summonses were issued. It was also unclear if the town indicated plans to begin enforcement. “A criminal summons and the corresponding potential guilty plea may impact the operator’s equipment," said NATA.