helicopter, according to its owner.

Mr. Michael Smatt has been shocked by the numbers of complaints about his new Bell Jet Ranger, providing Island tours.

And Mr. Smatt has the figures to prove that his machine is less of a noise problem than the thousands of bikes on the Island.

He is defending his service which he says is of great benefit to the Island, particularly for tourism.

Mr. Smatt was replying to letters of complaint to The Royal Gazette and to the Civil Aviation Department and the US Naval Air Station.

He said: "I wish people would come to me with their complaints and I can discuss what I am doing and if it is a problem I will make every effort to resolve it.'' In recent weeks, he admits, the helicopter has been used at a lower level than usual, but only for the filming of Bermuda Grace.

He said: "I do not think people realise what a tremendously positive contribution this film is going to make to Bermuda. The Ministry of Tourism, I believe, spend something like $750,000 for 30 seconds of TV advertising.

"Bermuda Grace will be a two-hour film seen by millions of people. Its contribution to the local economy could be immeasurable. Surely people realise that for a little inconvenience the Island will be gaining a lot,'' he said.

"The film crew's use of my helicopter will all end in a couple of days and then I will get back to doing tours for tourists and convention planners.'' Mr. Smatt said that he was making every effort to minimise the noise after the complaints from residents, while being sensitive to visitor's desire to see as much of the Island as possible.

He said: "The feedback from tourists has been phenomenal. Many have said they wish they had booked the tour for the first day of their trips so they would get a better perspective of the Island.

"The tours are flown at 700 feet over water and 1,200 feet for the short duration they are crossing the Island.

"Bell Helicopter Textron has carried out an intensive study of the noise level of the type of aircraft which we are using.

"The results of this study reveal that at 500 feet, the noise level is 71 decibels and at 1,000 feet is 66 decibels. In other words it is 27 decibels less than required by the Transport control Department for a cycle examination.'' A TCD examiner confirmed the maximum limit for noise levels on motorbikes is 93 decibels.

Mr. Smatt said his helicopter was not going to be in any one area for a sustained period or out at night, unlike bikes.

He believes some complainants may have mistaken his helicopter for the US Navy helicopter which has fewer restrictions on its movements.

Many islands in the Caribbean have similar helicopter tours. St. Thomas, St.

Lucia, Barbados, Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman all have the facility for visitors. Mr. Smatt said that there were some islands with more than one helicopter.

He said: "I am providing a service to the community and Government of Bermuda at no expense at the moment. It is available should they need it.

"In the past they have gone to great lengths and expense to import aircraft into the country for specific reasons. My helicopter is going to be an asset to the Island.'' Mr. Michael Smatt.