Local Politicians Renew Call for Tourist Helicopter Ban After East River Chopper Crash

Tourist helicopters have been a noisome nuisance for residents along the Brooklyn waterfront for years. Residents have long complained about the constant noise of heavy air traffic.

But with yesterday's crash into the East River, which left one person dead, commercial and private tourist choppers are now also dangerous.

“Yesterday’s tragedy is another clear sign: nonessential helicopters in Manhattan don’t make sense for passengers, pilots, or local residents,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. 

In May, local elected officials came together on tourist rotorcraft, and today, that ban is renewed. The sky is far too crowded as it is, say the unified group, and only essential helicopters, like ones owned by the FDNY, NYPD and news agencies, should be allowed to take off from Manhattan.

“We have witnessed too many incidents," said State Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman. "The City claims these tours generate needed funds, but at what price!"

Last May, the New York City Economic Development Corporation promised to work with community leaders to put an end to the incessant whooping made by the low-flying helicopters. But the concessions made weren't enough.

Two years ago the EDC passed restrictions, with penalties of $1,000 per violation, that helped lower helicopter noise levels: tourism flight pilots were required to fly over water, flights under seven minutes were eliminated completely, and tourist helicopters were forced to fly at altitudes of 1,500 feet or higher.

These restrictions and more pressure from residents and politicians forced the West 30th Street Heliport to close to tourism traffic in April 2010. But this actually made the situation worse for Brooklynites, for many of those flights that took off on the Hudson River, now lift off from Pier 6 on the East River, near Whitehall and South streets, across from Brooklyn Heights. 

“Yesterday’s accident was a horrific and unnecessary tragedy,” said Councilmember Steve Levin. “My deepest condolences go out to all those who were affected by the accident. As our communities have been saying for years, sightseeing and other nonessential helicopters are not just nuisances, they are dangerous. It is time for the city to create a real helicopter policy that protects the safety of both New Yorkers and the millions of tourists who visit our city every year. It is time for a total ban of nonessential helicopters.”

To our readers: How many times a day do you hear helicopters flying overhead? Do your windows shake? Does the whopping ruin your concentration or do you have to turn up the volume on your TV until it passes? If you have an interesting story or anecdote about the noisome birds E-mail them to wry201@gmail.com.