Less Noise From Helicopters Flying To Cottage Hospital

Relief is on the way for people who are upset about the noise coming from helicopters flying patients to and from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.Calstar, the company that flies 72 percent of the flights, says it will start flying a new chopper that is 50 percent quieter than the one in use now. After a new helipad was built earlier this year, some local residents were upset over the late night helicopter noise. Hospital officials blamed the problem on hovering helicopters waiting to land. Now, pilots have to call ahead and hover over the ocean while they wait for clearance. Most of the area residents we spoke with on Monday say the noise is more tolerable now, but the quieter helicopter is still appreciated. KEY News Reporter Ryan Carmel has the story.