A company based in Bend wants permission to fly sightseers over Crater Lake National Park. The main question is: What harm would it do?

Park officials are worried that helicopter flights might disturb park visitors with their noise. But presumably a group of Harley riders touring the rim drive would make more noise than a helicopter that stays a safe distance up.

On the one hand, it's tempting to be against this project because it would add yet another extraneous element to the natural beauty of the park.

On the other, aerial tours would give people a spectacular view of this natural wonder, leaving a different and perhaps even more memorable impression than seeing it from the rim.

The prudent course would be to allow the helicopter tours on a trial basis for a year, then ask park visitors if they were OK or a nuisance that should not be allowed again. (hh)