How a Golf Tournament Took New York to Helicopter Hell

September 30, 2025 – If you heard the din of the noisy, disruptive phalanx of helicopters flying over Brooklyn, Queens, and Lower Manhattan this weekend, you might have imagined there was a good reason for it: a dramatic ambulance rescue, or world leaders with packed schedules attending the UN General Assembly. Subscribe to read more…

N.J. heliport faces shutdown after fatal tourist helicopter crash in Hudson River

September 19, 2025 – Kearny officials charged that RTC Holding, where Helo Holding is located, also known as HHI Heliport, violated a 2014 zoning approval that barred tourist helicopter flights and limited hours of non-essential helicopter flights. Read more…

Murphy Wants Ban of Nonessential Helicopter Flights in N.J. After Crash That Killed Family

August 28, 2025- Gov. Phil Murphy wants federal officials to ban or sharply reduce non-essential helicopter flights in New Jersey after a tourist helicopter crashed in the Hudson River on April 10 killed six people, including a family from Spain. Read more…

Crackdown Coming on Tourist Helicopters?

August 28, 2025- A crackdown on helicopter flights out of a Kearny heliport could be coming after Labor Day. Hudson County residents and officials pushed for a limit on noisy civilian helicopter traffic over residential neighborhoods in Hoboken and Jersey City at a meeting this week. Watch here…

Lawmakers Propose Helicopter Noise Bill After Murphy Urges FAA

August 27, 2025- A bipartisan group of congresspeople from New Jersey and New York introduced new legislation on Tuesday to rein in helicopter noise over the region, which residents say has wreaked havoc on their daily lives. Read more…

Hudson County Residents Demand Action On Low-Flying Helicopters

July 14, 2025 – Low-flying helicopters have become an almost hourly fixture in the skies above Hudson County—and for many residents, the disruption has reached a breaking point. With choppers routinely hovering at low altitudes, community members are demanding accountability from aviation authorities and operators. Read more…

3 months after Hudson River helicopter crash, Menendez & Guy pledge action

July 11, 2025 – Three months after a Hudson River helicopter crash in Jersey City claimed six lives, U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) and County Executive Craig Guy are pledging action to avoid tragedies like this in the future. Read more…

Thousands of nonessential flights create “helicopter hell” along Hudson River, including Hoboken

July 7, 2025 – Although New Jersey residents and New York residents have many feuds ranging from who has better pizza (New Jersey) to who has worse drivers (New York), they do agree that the helicopter issue has gotten out of control. Read more…

Low-Flying Helicopters Buzz Over N.J. Every Day. There’s a Crusade to Ground Them Forever.

June 22, 2025 – Scores of helicopters pass over Hudson County — mainly Jersey City, Hoboken and Bayonne — every day on their way to and from New York. Though a handful carry first responders or news crews, the vast majority of these flights are what critics deem “nonessential,” ferrying tourists on sightseeing quests and well-heeled commuters who can afford to ride to work in style.” Read more…

Investigators Study Helicopter Blades in Deadly Hudson River Crash

June 18, 2025 – “FAA sought information from aircraft owners and operators about severe vibrations; blade manufacturer alerted pilots of how to deal with such events” Read more…

Hudson County, Local Officials Continue to Speak Out Against Helicopter Traffic

June 3, 2025 – “With the potential dangers of air traffic over parts of Hudson County continuing to mount, County Executive Guy and Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle met with Jeff Hyman, CEO of HHI Heliport in  Kearny, to express concerns about increased helicopter activity, specifically over Hoboken and Jersey City.” Read more…

Hoboken to file lawsuit against FAA calling for more helicopter oversight

June 4, 2025 –  Hoboken is taking action to stop what city leaders call dangerous and disruptive helicopter activity. The mayor said the city will sue the FAA to try to prevent tourism helicopters from coming close to its buildings. Sightseeing choppers often head north over the Hudson River and circle back south.

Hoboken, N.J., Plans to Sue FAA Over Non-Essential Helicopter Activity After Deadly Hudson River Crash

June 4, 2025 – “The mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, said his city plans to file a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration for failing to halt non-essential helicopter activity.” Read more here…

Helicopter Flights Over New York City Deemed Non-Essential Would be Banned Under Proposed Federal Legislation

May 29, 2025 – “Recreational and other nonessential helicopter flights would be banned over New York City under federal legislation introduced this month in the aftermath of last month’s deadly tourist flight that crashed over the Hudson River and killed all six people aboard.” Read more…

After Fatal Crash, Proposed Law Would Ban Tourist Helicopter Flights Around NYC

May 26, 2025- Roughly a month after a tourist helicopter plunged into the Hudson River near Jersey City, killing all six people aboard, a federal bill has been introduced that would ban tourist and other “non-essential” helicopter flights within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. Read more…

NYC’s Economic Case for Helicopters Doesn’t Fly

May 25, 2025- Last month’s helicopter crash into the Hudson River that tragically took six lives underscores the immediate need to fully ban, or at minimum better regulate, the dangerous, polluting, nonessential helicopters. Read more…

Malliotakis, Dem House members introduce bill to ban non-essential helicopter flights

May 7, 2025 – “GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis along with Democratic House members from New York and New Jersey have introduced bi-partisan legislation to rid the skies in the region of non-essential helicopter flights.” Read now…

Fatal Jersey City crash spurs plan to ban helicopters around Statue of Liberty

May 7, 2025 – “A month after a sightseeing helicopter fell apart in the sky over Jersey City, killing six, three federal lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would ban all non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty.” Read now…

Malliotakis Co-Leads Legislation to Ban Non-Essential Helicopters in NYC

May 6, 2025 – “Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) along with Congressmen Rob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), introduced H.R. 3196, the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, bipartisan legislation that would ban all non-essential helicopter flights within 20 miles of the Statue of Liberty.” Read now…

Menendez Law Would Ban Tourist Helicopters Near 1 NJ Landmark

May 6, 2025 – “Rep. Menendez and 2 NY lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban “non-essential” helicopters in a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty.” Read now…

Nadler, Menendez, Malliotakis Introduce Legislation to Ban Non-Essential Helicopters in Wake of Hudson River Tragedy 

May 5, 2025 – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which bans all non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. Read more…

Fatal Helicopter Crash in Hudson River Fuels Earlier Safety Concerns

April 12, 2025- Residents’ concerns about safety, noise and volume from an increasing number of helicopter flights on the Hudson River and over Hoboken and Jersey City before Thursday’s multi-fatal crash prompted lawmakers to look for solutions ranging from a federal study to an outright ban on tourist helicopters. Read more…

Activist renews call to ban NYC helicopter tours after crash – Spectrum NY1

April 11, 2025 – “The leader of a group fighting to end nonessential helicopter flights over New York City renewed her push Friday, one day after a helicopter crash in the Hudson River left six people dead, including three children.” Read and watch now…

New York helicopter crash was ‘entirely predictable’, say campaigners – The Guardian

April 11, 2025 – “’A lot of these helicopters are 30 or even 40 years old, and this one was 21 years old, which is still pretty old,’ said Andrew Rosenthal, the chair of the Stop the Chop group that has campaigned for an end to helicopter sightseeing trips over New York City and the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area.”  Read more…

Anti-helicopter group says increased NYC chopper traffic a tragedy waiting to happen – silive.com

April 9, 2025 – “’That was 100 percent foreseeable and preventable,’ Rosenthal said. ‘And we have the same exact, maybe worse, situation here in New York City.’”  Read more…

NYCEDC Unveils ‘Downtown Skyport’ as New Operator Takes Over City-Owned Heliport – NYCEDC Press Release

April 3, 2025 – “The renaming aligns with New York City and NYCEDC’s commitment to transform the city-owned site from a heliport into a multi-modal hub for sustainable transportation and last-mile freight delivery…”  Read more…

The rich vs. rush hour: Forget black limos. The rich are commuting to work by helicopter. – Business Insider

March 24, 2025 – “Melissa Elstein began noticing an uptick in helicopters flying over her Upper West Side apartment and over Central Park in summer 2019. … ‘It’s really insane that this is even allowed, especially given that we’re also the most densely populated city and with some of the busiest skies.'” Read more…

The hum of a hundred helicopters – The Hustle

March 24, 2025 – “In just two years, helicopter noise complaints in NYC jumped from ~3.3k in 2019 to ~26k in 2021. That’s a 678% increase.” Read more…

Upper West Side coalition hosts Manhattan borough president and District 7 City Council candidates forum – Columbia Spectator

March 24, 2025 – “Melissa Elstein, BC ’92, Law ’97, leader at the West 80s Neighborhood Association and Stop The Chop, asked the candidates what they plan to do regarding helicopters flying over Manhattan.” Read more…

Rep. Menendez Joins Jersey City Community in Calling for Action on Helicopter Noise – Jersey City Times

March 22, 2025 – “The New York and New Jersey Metro Area is some of the most congested airspace in the country, and the rise in non-essential helicopter traffic in and around our district isn’t just a nuisance for our community – it poses a safety concern.” Read more…

Rep. Menendez calls on DOT to address air safety & congestion in NYC metro area – Hudson County View

March 11, 2025 – “Since coming to Congress, I have consistently worked to address the impacts of non-essential helicopter traffic, working directly with the FAA … to limit disruptions in our community and curb helicopter noise.” Read more…

Rep. Menendez Calls on Department of Transportation to Address Air Safety and Congestion in New York Metro Area – House of Representatives Press Release

March 10, 2025 – “Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led a letter … calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau to address air safety and congestion in the New York Metropolitan Area.” Read more…

Choppers or pickleball: The fight over the future of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport – NBC 4 New York

February 26, 2025 – “There’s a battle over a busy heliport in lower Manhattan where helicopter tours and military choppers often take off and land.” Watch now…

NYC heliport operator urges criminal probe after Adams administration awards contract to firm with foreign ties – New York Post

February 17, 2025 – “The longtime operator of the Downtown Heliport is pushing for a formal investigation into a contract given to its replacement by the Adams administration, The Post has learned.” Read more…

NYC helicopter foes hope to force industry to buy electric choppers in 2025 – Gothamist

December 24, 2024 – “Opponents of commercial helicopters in New York City hope 2025 could yield a breakthrough in their yearslong battle against noise pollution through a City Council bill that would require commercial chopper companies to go electric.” Read more…

Stop the Chop featured on Dutch television – RTL Nieuws

September 8, 2024 – The New York bureau of RTL Nieuws interviewed Melissa in Riverside Park, as sightseeing and commuter helicopters paraded up and down the Hudson, one after the other. Watch here…

Jury Awards $116 Million to Family of Man Who Died in Helicopter Crash – The New York Times

September 19, 2024 – “Six jurors in State Supreme Court in Manhattan agreed on Thursday, awarding $116 million in compensatory and punitive damages to family members of one of the passengers, Trevor Cadigan, 26.

The jury found that Liberty Helicopters, which owned the aircraft, and FlyNYON, which operated the helicopter for tours over New York City, were primarily responsible for the deaths.” Read more…

When it comes to fight over low-flying helicopters, critics point to Kearny business as public enemy No. 1 – NJ.com

September 15, 2024 – “Just this one heliport is creating a lot of pain and suffering for both New Yorkers and (New Jerseyans),” said Melissa Elstein, board chairwoman of Stop The Chop NY/NJ, a group opposed to the low-altitude helicopter flights. “All just for an Instagram photo op.” Read more…

First-ever study of the sleep health impacts of noise on Washington Heights and Inwood residents launches June 16th at community noise education event at Haven Plaza – WaHI-Inwood Task Force on Noise

June 10, 2024 – On June 16, 2024, the WaHI-Inwood Task Force on Noise is hosting “Know Noise,” a community event to announce the launch of a pilot study in the Washington Heights and Inwood community in Uptown Manhattan that examines the impact of noise on sleep health. Read more…

Replacing Helicopters with Low-Carbon Maritime Shipping at Downtown Manhattan Heliport – Center for Post Carbon Logistics

April 11, 2024 – While the 2023 RFP for Pier 6 includes provisions for some marine freight usage at the site, the service is secondary to existing heliport operations. In pursuing this vision the City is foregoing the opportunity to realize Pier 6’s full potential as a marine freight terminal while still preserving heliport capacity for essential flight operations. This plan is a perilous departure from the City’s purported green freight and sustainability objectives. Read more…

A Noise Tax Can Ground City Helicopters – Streetsblog

April 18, 2024 – Here’s a surefire way to curb helicopter noise over New York: tax it. Not the noise, per se, but the flights that generate it. State bills by Sen. Kirsten Gonzalez and Assembly Member Bobby Carroll (S7216B and A7638B) would sock a new $400 “noise tax” on “nonessential” flights departing or landing at the city’s heliports — a deserved fee. Read more…

City Council Considers Limiting Non-Essential Helicopter Travel as Noise Complaints Surge – NY1

April 17, 2024 – Years of noise and pollution complaints have caused City Council members to introduce several pieces of legislation that would limit the use of nonessential helicopters in the city’s airspace. Residents living near the city’s helipads told NY1 chopper noise has grown particularly bad in recent years. According to city officials, nearly 30,000 tourist trips originate from the Pier 6 heliport near Wall Street in addition to thousands of other nonessential flights — and noise complaints to 311 have more than doubled in recent years, topping 59,000 in 2023. Read more…

A Citizens Initiation in NYC Ending All Non-Essential Helicopter Flights in the Five Boroughs – Philips Turner

April 17, 2024 – If you live in New York City, you’ve probably noticed the growing plethora of noisy helicopters flying above our five boroughs, often taking wealthy people to area airports and to second homes in the Hamptons and Upstate. I engaged in some local civic activism on April 16, going to a rally and testifying at a City Council hearing, advocating the end of all non-essential helicopter flights. Read more…

Resolutions Cracking Down on Helicopter Noise, Safety Heard By NYC Council – CBS News

April 16, 2024 – “New York City needs to be at the forefront of the electrification movement for the sake of our neighbors, our planet, and to remain an industry leader in climate action,” Majority Leader Amanda Farías said in a statement. The resolutions are sponsored by Farías and councilmembers Gale Brewer, James Gennaro and Lincoln Restler. They were joined at a press conference Tuesday by a number of other New York lawmakers and supporters, including Comptroller Brad Lander, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and actor Amy Schumer. The city says more than 59,000 helicopter noise complaints were made to 311 in 2023, compared to over 26,000 in 2022. According to city data, there have been over 8,000 helicopter noise complaints so far this year. Read more…

Helicopter noise complaints surge in New York City – NBC News 4

April 16, 2024 – It has long been a source of frustration for thousands of New Yorkers, and now helicopter noise complaints have really taken off. City Council is taking a closer look to the problem, considering taking action to make things a little quieter. NBC New York’s Andrew Siff reports. Read more and see video…

NYC Residents Fume at ‘Hellish Helicopter Highway’ as Lawmakers Seek To Ban Non-essential Choppers – NY Post

April 16, 2024 – Big Apple residents are fuming at the city’s so-called “hellish helicopter highway”… “Noise pollution is a proven health hazard and we’re subjected to these non-essential helicopter flights — the tourists and the commuter flights — seven days a week, at all hours,” Upper West Side resident and chair of Stop the Chop, Melissa Elstein added. Read more…

NYC Lawmakers Seek To Ban Non-Essential Chopper Flights From City Heliports – AMNY

April 16, 2024 – “We can no longer enjoy a peaceful day in our parks, along our waterfronts, or in our homes,” added Melissa Elstein, an Upper West Sider who chairs anti-whirlybird advocacy group Stop The Chop NY/NJ. “Many if not most of our parks and waterways have become hellish helicopter highways instead of providing a peaceful respite from the busy city streets.” Read more…

City Council Hearing on Unnecessary Helicopters Flights Next Tuesday – Brooklyn Heights Blog

April 10, 2024 – Stop The Chop NY NJ advises us that on Tuesday, April 16 starting at 10:00 AM the New York City Council will hold a hearing on proposed legislation that would ban unnecessary (tourist and charter) helicopter flights, including all such flights to or from the Downtown Heliport directly accross the East River from Brooklyn Heights, and the 34th Street (East Side) Heliport, which generates much traffic that passes above or near the Heights. There will be a 9:00 AM rally in City Hall Park before the hearing. You may testify in person at the hearing, participate by Zoom, or, if work or other commitments prevent it, submit written testimony. Read more…

Manhattan Downtown Heliport Aims To Be Country’s First Electric Air Hub – Crains – November 14, 2023

City Plans to Transform Downtown Manhattan Heliport Into Electric Transport Hub – West Side Spirit – November 14, 2023

Brooklyn May Get Reprieve From Manhattan’s Noisy Helicopters – Brooklyn Eagle – November 14, 2023

If You Take a Helicopter to Long Island You Look Like an Asshole – Hellgate – August 1, 2023

HAI-FAA symposium seeks to address citizen concerns in NYC-NJ region – Vertical – June 23, 2023

Rob Menendez introduces bill to discourage air tours over areas like Liberty State Park – Hudson County View – June 14, 2023

NY Senate OKs ‘Noise Tax’ On NYC Helicopter, Seaplane Rides – Law360 – June 8, 2023

Amid fight over helicopter noise, private heliport coming to Jersey City waterfront – NJ.com – May 30, 2023

New York politicians urge Gov. Hochul to end non-essential helicopter flights – Quiet Communities – Spring 2023

Representatives Nadler, Goldman Lead Letter to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Calling for the End of Non-Essential Helicopter Flights from New York City Heliports – Press Release – May 24, 2023

NYC Scraps Manhattan Helipad Contract – Daily News – April 20, 2023

Menendez Joins Forces With New York Officials in Demanding Answers on Tourist Helicopters – NJ.com – March 15, 2023

Hearing on NYC helipad contract award cancelled amid conflict of interest concerns – NY Daily News – March 3, 2023

Two bills seek to quiet choppers ferrying tourists and Hamptons denizens – Crain’s NY Business – February 28, 2023

Congressman calls for helicopter ban over Liberty State Park after federal flight plan is finalized – NJ.com – February 28, 2023

Rotors Over Waiheke, or Paradise Drowned Out – Newsroom (NZ) – January 12, 2023

Sound Off On Helicopter Noise, Says Park Slope Assembly Member – NY Patch – December 28, 2022

NY Legislators Push To Close West 30th Street Heliport – AINonline – December 19, 2022

Hochul Vetoes Bill Letting New Yorkers Sue For Helicopter Noise – STREETSBLOG NYC – December 16, 2022

New Yorkers Are Fed Up With Helicopter Noise – Bloomberg – December 14, 2022

Going in Circles: Laws to Tame Helicopters Struggle to Take Off – STREETSBLOG NYC – December 12, 2022

NYC’s Proposed Private Helicopter Ban Is One Of The Best Ideas In Years – Jacobin – December 11, 2022

Hellish Heliports: NYC’s Chopper Complaints Nearly Top Rat-Related Gripes – West 42nd Street.NYC – December 6, 2022

Tainted Fuel Could Have Caused Choppers To Crash in NYC – NYPost – December 5, 2022

Live on Newsline w/ Brigitte Quinn – 1010 WINS – November 30, 2022

Helicopter Noise Over NYC Frustrates Residents – WPIX 11 -November 30, 2022

Swap The Chop? – The Broadsheet – November 21, 2022

Liberty State Park Friends Fight Against Commercial Air Tour Agreement – Hudson Reporter – November 21, 2022

NYC gave helipad operators $1.4 million in COVID rent breaks – NY Post – October 19, 2022

Hey, Air Taxi! Why You Will Soon Hail a Cab to the Sky – The Observer – June 24, 2022

New Yorkers are Fed Up with Helicopters Noise from Tourists and the Rich Flying to the Hamptons. A New Law May Curb It. – The Observer – June 23, 2022

‘My Apartment Vibrates’: New Yorkers Fight Noisy Helicopter Rides – Barron’s – June 12, 2022

In New York They Are Fed Up With Helicopters: A Law Could Leave Them on the Ground – Zyri – June 10, 2022

First Bill To Curb Helicopter Noise and Reduce Non-Essential Flights Passes Both Houses of State Legislature – West Side Rag – June 5, 2022

Bill Allowing New Yorkers To Sue For Loud Helicopter Noise Passes State Legislature – amNY – June 5, 2022

Are Helicopters Eco-Friendly? Their Carbon Emissions Speak for Themselves – Greenmatters – May 20, 2022

‘Stop the chop’: Manhattan elected officials push for helicopter noise reduction legislation – AMNY – May 15, 2022

Helicopters vs. Homeowners: A Very Hamptons Fight – NY Times – May 13, 2022

Addabbo Co-Sponsors Bills Aimed at Addressing Helicopters Flying over Area Neighborhoods – The Forum – March 24, 2022

They Want To Stop The Chop – The East Hampton Star – March 17, 2022

Shoe-selfie New York helicopter trips face chop – The Sunday Times – February 12, 2022

Brewer Urges Governor and Mayor to Chop Heliport from Hudson River Park – w42st.nyc – February 1, 2022

The Choppers That Ate New York – The New Yorker – January 24, 2022

Apocalypse Now: Can Eric Adams End The Helicopter Onslaught – Gotham Gazette – November 24, 2021

Helicopter’s Unauthorized Landing In Crown Heights Vacant Lot Prompts High-Altitude Police Pursuit – Gothamist – November 5, 2021

Ban Tourist Helicopters Elected Officials Say – West Side Rag – November 4, 2021

Alliance of Elected Officials Seeks to Ground Helicopters – The BroadsheetDAILY – November 1, 2021

The Gotham Cacophony: More and More New Yorkers Find Noise A Threat To Livability – City Journal– November 1, 2021

Elected Officials Join Residents to Call for Regulation of Tourist Helicopters – TapInto – October 29, 2021

Lawmakers Call For End Of Non-essential Helicopter Flights – PIX11 – October 29, 2021

Complaints About Helicopter Noise Skyrocket In NYC – 1010 Wins – October 21, 2021

What’s Noisy, Loved By Tourists and Comes From New Jersey? – NY Times – October 21, 2021

Washington Heights, Inwood Groups Join Citywide Anti-Noise Coalition – Patch.com – August 31, 2021

Hudson County’s State Legislators Push To Limit Helicopter Flights – NJ.com – August 15, 2021

Rich People Cannot Have The Right To Combust Others To Death – Carbontax.org – July 28, 2021

Helicopters Are Ruining Shakespeare In The Park: Patrons, Pols – NY Post – July 18, 2021

Chopped! CB4’s WPE Wants Public Park’s Poor Player VIP Heliport Grounded for Good – Chelsea Community News – June 10, 2021

New York City’s Growing Helicopter Problem – Quiet Communities – June 2, 2021

NYC Mayoral Candidate Makes Noise An Issue – Quiet Communities – June 1, 2021

Quality-of-life Issues Take On Growing Importance – NY Times – May 31, 2021

The View From Above And Below: The Helicopters and Our Commons – Gotham Gazette – May 28, 2021

How Low Can A Helicopter Legally Fly? (Civilian, Police, Military) – Executive Flyers – May 25, 2021

Uptown Politician Releases Plan To Combat Noise: What To Know – Patch – May 25, 2021

Quiet! NYC Mayoral hopeful Scott Stringer promises to Crack Down On Annoying Noise – NY Daily News – May 23, 2021

There’s No One In Charge Of New York’s Noisy Helicopters – Curbed – May 17, 2021

Elected Officials Push Again To Curb Helicopters As UWSer Says She ‘Literally Cannot Get Any Rest’ – West Side Rag – April 7, 2021

NYC Copter Crash Exposes Deadly Loophole For Aerial Sightseeing – Bloomberg – March 23, 2021

New York City Helicopter Access War Heats Up – AIN Online – March 17, 2021

Have You Heard That Buzzing? – Our Town – March 12, 2021

NYC Congressional Reps Will Try Again To Ban Non-Essential Helicopter Flights Over NYC – The Gothamist – March 7, 2021

Lawmakers re-introducing legislation to ban non-essential helicopters over New York City – ABC7 New York – March 7, 2021

As Commuter ‘Copter Service Gets Set to Start Up, the “Helicopter Highway” Over the UWS Could Get More Crowded – West Side Rag – March 2, 2021

Tuesday’s Headlines: Helicopter Misery Addition – StreetsblogNYC – February 23, 2021

Lander: City Must Study Whether the ‘Benefit’ of Helicopters Covers Their Egregious Health Costs – StreetsblogNYC – February 22, 2021

Northeast Queens Lawmaker Introduces Legislation To Mitigate Helicopter Noise – QNS – February 18, 2021

Stop the Chop NY/NJ announces widespread community opposition to expansion of helicopter commuter flights between NYC and Westchester – Brooklyn Daily Eagle – February 12, 2021

Stop The Chop Coalition Gains Support of Central Park Conservancy, Presents to CB7 – I Love The UWS – February 7, 2021

Fed Bill Hits Hard On Commercial Helicopter Routes – Brooklyn Daily Eagle – January 25, 2021

Hoping to Make Whirlybirds an Endangered Species – The Broadsheet Daily – January 25, 2021

Save Our Waterfronts from Our Open Skies: New York & New Jersey – Gotham Gazette – January 11, 2021

Norton, Bass Lead Letter to President-Elect Biden on Combating Aircraft Noise – Press Release – December 31, 2020

Op-Ed | Is Mayor Pete the answer to NYC’s big noise problem? – AMNY – December 16, 2020

Audit Slams FAA Oversight of Supplemental Harnesses For Open Door Flight Operations – Vertical Mag – December 14, 2020

East Hampton contemplates airport closing in move that could impact other towns – Riverhead News Review – December 12, 2020

How human-made noise affects animals – Silencity – December 8, 2020

Helicopter Noise Complaints Soar On Parts Of Upper East Side – Patch – December 1, 2020

Noise Is Driving Stuck-At-Home New Yorkers Nuts, 311 Data Shows – Yahoo News – November 27, 2020

Can the Manhattan Borough President Stop the Chop? – Gotham Gazette – November 26, 2020

Stressed New Yorkers File Record Helicopter Noise Complaints – Silencity – November 24, 2020

Helicopter Noise Complaints Sky High as Anxious, Cooped-Up New Yorkers Feel Buzzed – The City – November 12, 2020

Ending Aircraft Noise Is a Priority for Community Board 7 – NYC Reopens – October 20, 2020

The FAA Is Enabling Helicopters to Ruin The Outdoors – Outside Magazine – October 3, 2020

Sightseeing Helicopter Tours Bounce Back To Disturb New Yorkers’ Fragile Peace – Gothamist – September 23, 2020

New York City’s Noisy, Dangerous, Open Skies – Gotham Gazette – September 11, 2020

FAA Extends North Shore Helicopter Route – East End Beacon -August 6, 2020

NYC helicopter company in deadly 2018 crash ignores social distancing during coronavirus pandemic – NY Daily News – May 28, 2020

New York woman sues after she claims she was blown off her bike by a helicopter – WPDH – March 9, 2020

New York’s Wrongly Open Skies – Gotham Gazette – February 12, 2020

Kobe Bryant helicopter lacked recommended safety device – AP News – January 28, 2020

New York City helicopter crash in 2018 was ‘survivable,’ secondary harnesses ‘unsafe’: NTSB – ABC News – January 25, 2020

Missing Hawaii Tour Helicopter Found; 6 Confirmed Dead – Patch – December 28, 2019

Lawmaker Seeks To Permit Airports To Set Noise Restrictions – AIN Online – December 16, 2019

NTSB: Fatal FlyNYON flight was exploiting ‘loophole’ in regs – Vertical Mag – December 11, 2019

Brooklynites drowning in helicopter noise since Uber Copter, Blade launch – New York Post – December 7, 2019

The Unfriendly Skies Above New York City – New York Magazine – October 27, 2019

Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Ban Non-Essential Helicopter Flights In NYC – WCBS News Radio – October 26, 2019

Reps. Maloney, Nadler, Velazquez Introduce Legislation to Address NYC’s Helicopter Safety Needs – Press Release – October 26, 2019

NY Lawmakers Seek To Ban Nonessential Helicopters From The City’s Airspace – Uptown Radio – 2019

De Blasio Renews Calls To Ban Non-Essential Helicopter Flights In NYC – WCBS News Radio – October 25, 2019

New York Lawmakers Want To Ground Commercial Helicopter Flights – Gothamist – October 25, 2019

Uber Copter Will Be A Disaster For The Environment – Inverse – October 19, 2019

We pit the Uber Copter vs. public transit in a race to JFK — here’s who won – NY Post – October 6, 2019

Passenger alcohol use and ‘shoe selfies’ may have played role in deadly FlyNYON photo flight – Vertical Mag – September 27, 2019

Marine Park residents frustrated with helicopters flying over community – News12 Brooklyn – August 4, 2019

Northeast Queens lawmakers call on FAA to make alternative North Shore Helicopter Route permanent – QNS – August 2, 2019

That Noise? It’s the 1%, Helicoptering Over Your Traffic Jam – The New York Times – August 1, 2019

Federal DOT probe into “doors-off” helicopters set to launch as Schumer, Gillibrand laud investigation of dangerous sightseeing flights – NY Daily News – July 18, 2019

De Blasio and Chuck Schumer call for increased helicopter regulations after last week’s crash – 6sqft – June 17, 2019

Buzzing Howard Beach From Above – Queens Chronicle – July 11, 2019

What Would a New York City Ban on Helicopters Look Like? – The Points Guy – July 11, 2019

A History Of Helicopter Wrecks in NYC – AP News – June 11, 2019

In 1977, Five Were Killed In Helicopter Accident Atop Midtown’s Pan Am Building – Gothamist – June 11, 2019

Pilot Killed After Helicopter Crash Lands On Top Of Midtown Building – WCBS Radio – June 10, 2019

Uber Copter Will Only Make New York Transit Worse – CityLab – June 7, 2019

Hudson River crash renews helicopter safety concerns – News 12 New Jersey – May 16, 2019

An aircraft used by Blade, the ‘Uber for helicopters,’ crashed in the Hudson River – The Verge – May 15, 2019

Helicopter bosses’ shady pasts revealed – NY Post – March 14, 2019

Nadler Talks Neighborhood History, Helicopters and Housing in Wide-Ranging Interview – West Side Rag – February 13, 2019

FlyNYON changes equipment, but not business model, after fatal accident – Vertical Mag – September 6, 2018

Noise exposure is becoming ‘the new secondhand smoke’ – The Baltimore Sun – May 16, 2018

Inside the Safety Issues Surrounding the NY Helicopter Crash – Wired – April 8, 2018

FlyNYON knew of safety concerns before fatal doors-off flight – Vertical Mag – April 7, 2018

Helicopter pilot says loose gear may have hit lever to cut off engine, causing deadly East River crash – NY Daily News – March 12, 2018

Thank you, Jerrold Nadler (and Carolyn Maloney and Nydia M. Velazquez and…) – James Armstrong’s Blog – August 10, 2018

NYC Lawmakers Request FAA Institute Restrictions on Helicopter Flights Over Shakespeare in the Park Festival – Press Release – August 10, 2018

Helicopters are ruining Shakespeare in the Park: theater officials – NY Post – August 10, 2018

FLYNYON Pilots Seek Legal Protection – Business Jet Traveler – April 1, 2018

NYC Helicopter Crash Puts Spotlight on Doors Off Flights – Business Jet Traveler – March 1, 2018

The Helicopter Problem – Tribeca Citizen – February 15, 2018

The Life and Death of Helicopter Commuting (Video) – Bloomberg Business Week – August 10, 2017

What the hel(iport)? Operator to pay $250K for illegal tourist flights – AMNY – August 3, 2017

How planes, trains and noise pollution affect Chicago real estate – Chicago Tribune – November 23, 2016

NYC Controller Scott Stringer wants ban on tourism helicopters, says they’re too noisy and don’t help the economy – NY Daily News – July 13, 2016

Local U.S. House Delegation Pens Letter About Helicopter Noise to Defense Secretary – ARL Now – June 9, 2016

NYC helicopter deal would reduce but not eliminate tourist choppers – Brooklyn Daily Eagle – February 1, 2016

Deal Restricts Tourist Helicopter Flights Over New York – The New York Times – January 31, 2016

A Plague of Helicopters Is Ruining New York – New York Times – January 30, 2016

Disney Loved Its No Fly Zone – Until It Wanted To Fly Its Own Drones – The Washington Post – January 22, 2016

NYC Council considers bills banning tourist helicopters – Brooklyn Daily Eagle – November 14, 2015

Man who bribed FBI agent behind push to keep tourists flying over NYC – ​NY Post – October 18, 2015

Bill Sponsored by NYC Councilmembers Menchaca, Chin & Rosenthal Takes Aim at Tourist Helicopters – Brooklyn Heights Blog – July 27, 2015

Ban tourist helicopters for a quieter city –  Crain’s – July 24, 2015

​Whitestone resident develops website for local helicopter noise complaints – QNS – June 25, 2015

NYC Council bills to ban sightseeing helicopters receive support at ‘Stop the Chop!’ rally – Brooklyn Daily Eagle – July 23, 2015

​De Blasio’s door is open to lobbyists – NY Post – June 9, 2015

This ‘Uber for helicopters’ startup just flew into a fight over noise – Fortune – May 24, 2015

Helicopters over NYC are terror weapons ‘waiting to happen’: watchdog – NY Post – October 6, 2014

Tourist Thrill Becomes a Residential Nuisance – NY Press – February 17, 2015

Noisy ferries, copters irk Battery Park City Residents – Crain’s  – May 15, 2014

That Nuisance In The Sky – The New York Times – March 24, 2015

West Side Heliport Can Stay Forever, If An Assembly-passed Bill Becomes Law – Politico – June 20, 2013

Community Board 12 Seeks to Curb Uptown Helicopter Noise – DNA Info – March 21, 2013

Hell-icopters – NY Post – April 22, 2012

Governors Island Wants Low-Flying Helicopters to Fly Off – DNA Info – December 1, 2011

Passenger injured in New York helicopter crash dies – The Telegraph – October 13, 2011

Critics Blast Deal for NYC Tourist Choppers to Fly in Plane Space Above Hudson River – Fox News – October 10, 2011

Red Hook Chop Stop! City Bans Helicopter Over Neighborhood – Brooklyn Paper – April 21, 2011

Lookout, Below! Choppers Over Heights Could Actually Cause Brain Damage – Brooklyn Paper – April 11, 2011

Hudson Crash Blamed on Controller, Failure to See and Avoid – Vertical Mag – September 14, 2010

Three bodies recovered after midair collision over Hudson – CNN – August 8, 2009

Legislation that would minimize airplane and helicopter noise over Staten Island proposed – Silive.com – June 5, 2009

No-Fly Zones Shield Disney’s Resorts – Orlando Sentinel – May 11, 2003

Giuliani Plans To Reduce Copter Flights – The New York Times – April 30, 1997

The Chopper-Blocker – The New York Times – March 2, 1997

ESCAPE BY COPTER FOILED AT U.S. JAIL IN MANHATTAN – The New York Times

January 26, 1981 – An armed man and woman hijacked a sightseeing helicopter and flew to the Federal detention center in lower Manhattan yesterday morning in an unsuccessful attempt to pluck an inmate from a rooftop recreation area. Read more…