Hudson County Takes Steps To Reduce Low-Flying Helicopters

SECAUCUS, NJ — What's with all the low-flying helicopters flying over Secaucus?

The HHI Heliport in Kearny, which many of the choppers depart from, is apparently running more flights and longer hours than the heliport originally told the town of Kearny it would do when it first opened, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said this week.

"We are constantly hearing from people throughout the county whose lives are being disrupted by helicopter flights," said Guy and Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle. "Furthermore, Kearny has deep concerns about the facility’s hours of operation, which exceed what was originally represented."

On Wednesday, June 4, the two held a meeting with Jeff Hyman, the owner of HHI Heliport. At that meeting, Hyman promised to reduce the number of flights that leave from his helipad and only operate within set hours. Moving forward, 90 percent of the trips out of Hyman's Kearny heliport will take place between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the spring/summer/fall, and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during the winter.

This may help to reduce the early-morning helicopters, such as those that fly in the 6 and 7 a.m. hours over Secaucus. Those choppers are usually headed to the Hudson River waterfront.

On its website, HHI Heliport describes itself as the largest operating heliport in the U.S. and says it provides access to Manhattan, "the busiest helicopter environment in the world."

Additionally, Hyman pledged he will not contract with another tour company to replace the now-defunct New York Helicopter Tours, which launched from his Kearny heliport.

New York Helicopter Tours is the helicopter tourist company that was involved in the tragic April 10 crash into the Hudson River, which killed a vacationing family from Spain, a man and a woman and their three young children. The pilot was also killed. The helicopter was on its eighth flight that day when — for reasons still undetermined — it broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Just days after the six people were killed, the Federal Aviation Administration demanded New York Helicopter Tours permanently shut down. Owner Michael Roth complied, the New York Post reported.

If Hyman holds true to his promise not to renew with another helicopter tour company, that will reduce the number of low-flying choppers by an estimated 3,000 "movements," or chopper flights per year, said the Hudson County officials.

Guy said he will check HHI's flight records in 30 days to make sure Hyman is complying.

“County Executive Guy made clear that changes must be made to our operation, and we will continue working with the County Executive, as well as other Hudson County elected officials and the community to make sure we are effectively responding to their concerns,” said Hyman this week.

Meanwhile, some members of Congress want to permanently ban all tourist helicopter tours around New York City, citing the April 10 crash that killed the Spanish family, but also other helicopter crashes in the past 20 years.

Congressman Rob Menendez (D-NJ8), who represents most of Hudson County but not Secaucus, is one of several members of Congress currently pushing to ban all “non-essential” helicopters within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. It is unknown if they will be successful; helicopter tours are a big industry in New York.

“Unfettered helicopter flights over Hudson County are unacceptable," said Hudson County Executive Guy this week. "This is a safety issue, a quality-of-life issue and an environmental issue. It is time to hold these operators accountable for their actions."

"The remedies HHI has offered are but a first step to addressing concerns of Hudson County residents," Guy added. "This issue remains the highest priority for me and Congressman Menendez. We will remain vigilant in ensuring the lives of our people are not constantly harassed by helicopter flights. We will be watching and will take stock of the situation and see if HHI is meeting its commitments."

On this issue: Hoboken To Sue FAA Over Helicopter Noise, Low Flights (June 4)

Helicopter Crash Leads Hudson County Officials To Blast Helicopter Tourism Industry (April 11, the day after the fatal crash)