Helicopters

New GAO Report – “Aircraft Noise: Military Helicopter Operators Should Improve Outreach to Affected Communities in the D.C. Area”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Folks might find this GAO report on rotorcraft noise in DC interesting. I spotted it while trying to figure out what the heck was going on with the two ospreys Monday.

GAO only studied through 2024 – I’d love to see the increase in below the altitude threshold choppers since January 2025.”

“Aircraft Noise: Military Helicopter Operators Should Improve Outreach to Affected Communities in the D.C. Area
GAO-26-107758 Published: Mar 23, 2026. Publicly Released: Mar 23, 2026.

Military, air medical, local law enforcement, and other helicopter operators conduct an average of about 91 flights in the Washington, D.C. area daily. Helicopter noise is an ongoing concern for some residents.

The Federal Aviation Administration and DOD have taken steps to address the effects of helicopter noise, e.g., by flying along FAA’s recommended helicopter routes. But military helicopter operators haven’t consistently met a DOD policy requirement to reach out and talk to communities affected by the noise.

We recommended doing the outreach to improve public understanding and acceptance of mission-essential helicopter flights.

What GAO Found (more…)

“Marine 1 endlessly buzzing my apartment”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by John Sonderman

“Dear PoPville,

On Wednesday evening after the shooting, Marine 1 probably buzzed my building in Woodley Park like 20 times and now they’re doing it again (Friday night), just an east-west route and then turning around and doing it again.

I can tell that they get as far east at Columbia Heights, then they must turn around somewhere. (more…)

Incredible Photos of those Helicopters and What they were all about.

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Taylor

So apparently I missed a lot of action while I was taking my daughter for her check up (all is well.) OK Catching up on what I missed it appears there were two helicopters this morning. One in Bloomingdale/Eckington and one in NoMa/Union Station.


photo by ejp

Readers reported a carjacking and park police helicopter responding to that one.

For the one near Union Station readers reported: “Amtrak power line inspections”

and (more…)

Update: One Arrest Made, One Suspect Still Sought. About that Helicopter Circling Columbia Heights – Shooting Last Night – Reader reports: “we woke up to ROUNDS firing from some type of automatic weapon. It was insane.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Update from MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department announces the arrest of a suspect involved in a fatal shooting that occurred in Northwest.

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, at approximately 12:34 a.m., Third District officers responded for a report of a shooting in the 1400 block of Clifton Street, Northwest. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and after finding no signs consistent with life, the victim was pronounced dead.

The victim has been identified as 26-year-old Jerome Myles, of Northwest, DC.

Responding officers observed two suspects fleeing the scene and entering a nearby apartment building. Homicide Branch detectives responded to the scene, and following multiple emergency search warrants, one of the suspects was located and placed under arrest. 35-year-old Antone Whitaker of Northeast, DC, was charged with First Degree Murder While Armed.

The second suspect is still being sought. Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.”

“Dear PoPville, (more…)

Helicopters spotted Circling NoMa and SE DC Last Night

By Prince Of Petworth

Have others noticed an increase helicopters circling?

RT asks around 11:20pm last night: “Helicopters circling in NOMA area??”

Jeremy also writes just before 11pm: “For at least the third night in a row, U.S. Park Police is flying around DC (not unheard of, but not exactly common esp. at night), and is now joined by a CBP helicopter in SE DC…” (more…)

“Norton Urges Department of Transportation to Prohibit Use of Helicopters for Transporting Government Officials in National Capital Region”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“After receiving conflicting information from officials regarding the use of ADS-B transponders, a type of transponder used to communicate GPS data and project aircraft trajectory, in helicopter flights in the National Capital Region (NCR), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote Department of Transportation (DoT) Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday urging DoT to prohibit the use of helicopters for these flights in the NCR, except for the president, vice president, and in certain emergencies. A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter from the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and a passenger plane collided in D.C. airspace on January 29, killing 67 people. The helicopter was not using its ADS-B transponder when the collision occurred. (more…)

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