Helicopter Issues
Take Action
- Sign the petition to help us restore a quieter and cleaner environment over NYC and the NY/NJ Metropolitan area.
- Visit Stop the Chop, a non-profit aimed to reduce unnecessary helicopter traffic, and sign up for their newsletter and make a charitable donation.
- Report any helicopter violations you encounter.
- Download the FlightRadar 24 App to track the helicopters and their routes
Save Our Waterfronts from Our Open Skies: New York & New Jersey
The coalition put together by Stop the Chop includes both United States senators from New Jersey, U.S. Congressional Rep. Abio Sires, and mayors of Bayonne, Edgewater, Guttenberg, Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, and several more.
Cohen and Pesin are voicing a parallel grievance to that published by former New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Governors Island Alliance executive director Merritt Birnbaum in the New York Times in 2016 ...
Stop Nonessential Helicopter Traffic
H.R.4880 – Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2019 is a federal bill introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney on October 28, 2019 and Co-Sponsored by Congressman Jerry Nadler and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not have any regulations, policies, or procedures to account for New York City’s uniquely crowded airspace, and it has ignored calls to implement such policies.
H.R.4880 Press Release by Congressmembers Maloney, Nadler and Velázquez
Comment from Melissa Elstein, Secretary & Co-founder, West 80s Neighborhood Association:
“Given that NYC has experienced at least 30 helicopter crashes since 1980, some fatal (including the recent June 10, 2019 deadly crash and fire on a midtown roof), there is good reason to fear for the safety of New Yorkers, their lives and property. Additionally, there is also the real security worry about helicopters’ potential use in terrorist attacks (unfortunately, we know from experience, that NYC is a target of terrorists). The proliferation of non-essential helicopters flying low in our airspace is also alarming for environmental reasons. As the city advocates for reducing car and vehicular traffic due to polluting emissions (e.g., enacting congestion pricing, car-free streets, restrictions/caps on for-hire vehicles, and the encouragement of public transportation and bicycles), it is hypocritical to allow one of the least environmentally-friendly modes to transportation to pollute our airspace - not to mention the stress-inducing noise pollution helicopters create as well. It is time we end the Wild West airspace created by the helicopter menace over NYC."
Ending Aircraft Noise Is a Priority for Community Board 7
Upper West Side residents, fed up with low-flying aircraft, are speaking out. On a two-hour Zoom call last Tuesday, the transportation committee for Community Board 7 spent most of the time airing their grievances about noise and environmental damage caused by private helicopters.
Resolution from Manhattan Community Board 7
Manhattan Community Board 7 Resolution Supporting the Ban on Nonessential Helicopters