Sound Off On Helicopter Noise, Says Park Slope Assembly Member

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Has your annoyance over helicopters reached new heights?

Park Slope Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon says now is the time to act, as the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service seek public comment for two more days on a controversial proposed new set of rules for tourist flights above the sights of New York Harbor that some say will only make things worse for city dwellers.

"If HELICOPTERS are driving you CRAZY," Simon wrote on Twitter, "take action NOW," by submitting public comment to the Helicopter Sightseeing Plan for NYC by Dec. 30.

The Air Tour Voluntary Agreement for National Parks of New York Harbor seeks to set new management rules for flights around federally owned sights, like the Statue of Liberty and Governor's Island, namely by setting a new, 1,000 foot arial setback for tourist flights.

Many groups, including the anti-helicopter advocacy group, Stop The Chop, says the plan will increase noise and helicopter traffic, according to a sample letter the group published in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Helicopter noise complaints have been steadily increasing in New York City, as have various efforts to curb non-essential copter flights.

Since 2019, helicopter noise complaints have skyrocketed in Park Slope, peaking at a headache-inducing 370 in 2020 — most likely due to increased NYPD flights around Barclays Center due to protests in response to the death of George Floyd and other instances of police brutality.

City-wide, complaints have spiked since the pandemic, from around 3,000 in 2019 to well over 25,000 complaints in both 2021 and 2022.

A number of state and city legislators have put forward efforts to curb non-essential helicopter flights, but most have stalled — including a city Council bill that has yet to have a hearing despite 24 members sponsoring the effort.

Earlier this month, Gov. Hochul vetoed a bill that would have allowed New Yorkers to sue helicopter operators for unreasonable amounts of noise pollution.

To read more about the FAA and NPS Helicopter Sightseeing Plan, and to submit your comments by Dec. 30, click here.