East Hampton airport

South Fork Assemblyman Fred Thiele said East Hampton must now consider closing its airport. His comment came after a federal appeals court ruled that East Hampton's airport is subject to federal regulation whether or not the town accepts federal funding.

East Hampton Town agreed to delay effective date of new airport rules restricting helicopters while a federal court judge considers injunction application by plaintiffs in lawsuit brought against the town by Friends of East Hampton Airport and several private companies.

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) calls on FAA to establish "rotating" access points over north shore and enforce minimum altitude rules for helicopters before start of summer season on the East End.

Proposed new rules for East Hampton airport will severely curtail helicopter flights but seaplanes won't be subject to the same strict standards, making local residents worry about an "explosion" of sea plane traffic in the summer skies.

As the clock ticks toward a Dec. 31 deadline that could signal signficant changes in the North Fork's helicopter noise situation, local residents are...