A series of helicopters flying low over Hilton Head’s north end have disturbed the peace of some residents over the past week.
Port Royal Plantation resident Chris Garmston told The Group the noise started early last week and has continued every day except Sunday. Garmston said that every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to about 6 p.m., he and his wife would hear a helicopter flying low over their neighborhood.
The 30-year Hilton Head resident called the noise “annoying.”
“We’re used to living on this lovely, peaceful island,” Garmston said. “It’s just loud and irritating.”
Port Royal Plantation is located near the Hilton Head Island Airport, where commercial aircraft take off and land daily. Garmston said he’s used to the sound of planes coming and going, but they’re not that disruptive because they’re usually “one-and-done” and don’t fly directly over his neighborhood.
Reasons why helicopters fly over Hilton Head
Garmston said residents initially received no notification about the noise or the helicopter. But on Sunday night, Hilton Head Island Airport posted the cause of the noise on Facebook.
According to the post, the U.S. Navy is conducting helicopter training and is expected to continue through the weekend.
“Staff are working to avoid noise-sensitive areas while following prescribed training procedures,” the airport wrote on Facebook.
Calls and emails from The Packet to Beaufort County Airport Director Jon Rembold and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort were unsuccessful Tuesday morning.
Why training takes place on land instead of water
Garmston provided The Packet with an email he received Tuesday morning from District 6 Council Member Melinda Tunner. Garmston said he also spoke with Turner.
According to the email, Rumbold told Turner that standard protocol is to conduct training exercises over the water, but when that airspace is used, the flights will be conducted over the Hilton Head community. The airport needs to accommodate military activity, Turner wrote.
