Stop The Chop NY NJ

Stop The Chop is a grassroots organization formed to reduce helicopter noise and ban nonessential flights over NYC, the NY Metropolitan Area and NJ, due to the noise, environmental, and quality of life impacts.

Local Legislation & Resources – New York City

2024

NYC Council Information Page

The NYC Council has created a very helpful page with information about helicopter noise and safety in NYC.

NYC Council Legislation

A NYC Council hearing on Int 0026-2024 and other bills & resolutions marked with (*) was held on April 16. These pieces of legislation are the most consequential actions the Council can take to reduce helicopter traffic in New York City. We need as many members of the public to contact their Council Members in support in order for these to succeed.
You can learn more here.

  • (*) Int 0026-2024: bill to prohibit all nonessential, non-electric helicopter operations at heliports owned or operated by NYC. Over 40,000 nonessential flights take off from NYC heliports every year. This bill would halt all nonessential helicopter operations at Downtown Manhattan Heliport and E 34th St heliport.

  • (*) Int 0070-2024: bill to prohibit all nonessential helicopter operations at heliports owned or operated by NYC. Over 40,000 nonessential flights take off from NYC heliports every year. This bill would halt all nonessential helicopter operations at Downtown Manhattan Heliport and E 34th St heliport.

  • (*) Int 0027-2024: bill to require sound monitoring in areas of the city experiencing helicopter noise.

  • Int 0379-2024: bill prohibiting chartered helicopters from taking off/landing at city-owned heliports if they do not meet stage 3 noise levels for helicopters.

  • Int 0569-2024: bill prohibiting sightseeing helicopters meeting stages 1, 2, and 3 noise levels from taking off or landing on any city-owned heliport

NYC Council Resolutions

  • (*) Res 0085-2024: resolution calling on the NYS Legislature to pass, and for the governor to sign, A7638A/S7216A, which would establish a noise tax on nonessential flights in NYC.
  • (*) Res 0226-2024: Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend the Hudson River Park Trust Act by banning non-essential use of its heliport.
  • (*) Res 0233-2024: Resolution calling upon the United States Federal Aviation Administration to ban all non-essential helicopter travel, including tourist and chartered helicopter flights over New York City.

Downtown Manhattan Heliport 2024 Request for Proposals Documents

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has put out a request for proposals to select the new operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, from which a significant number of non-essential tourist helicopter flights emanate every year. This RFP, for the first time, requires proposals to consider the quality of life impacts of helicopter flights, thanks to STC’s efforts. It also reduces the hours of tourist helicopter operation, from 9am-7pm Mon-Sat to 10am-5pm Mon-Sat.

2023

  • Proposed legislation (1255-2023) by NYC Council members Hudson, Restler, Farias and Hanif. This bill would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to identify the areas of the city that commonly experience helicopter noise and install sound level meters in those areas on top of city buildings, street lights and, upon request of the owner, private buildings. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection would also be required to reassess the identified areas every 2 years. The data collected by the sound level meters would be reported on the Department of Environmental Protection’s website monthly.
  • Proposed legislation (1254-2023) by NYC Council members including Ferias, Brewer, Restler and Hudson. This bill would require the Department of Small Business Services to require the New York City Economic Development Corporation to prohibit all non-essential, non-electric helicopter operations at heliports owned or operated by the City.

2022

  • Video link of NYC Council’s Economic Development Committee hearing regarding NYC helicopter operations on November 29, 2022. NYC Comptroller Brad Lander’s written testimony. Joint hearing testimony by Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents. Joint letter to Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer from Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents.
  • Proposed resolution (Res 0389-2022) by NYC Council Member Brewer dated November 22, 2022 – “Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to amend the Hudson River Park Trust Act by banning non-essential use of its heliport.”
  • Proposed legislation (Int 0773-2022) by NYC Council Member Powers introduced on October 14, 2022 – “This bill would prohibit chartered helicopters from taking off and landing at heliports owned by the city if those helicopters do not meet the stage 3 noise levels for helicopters as determined by the Federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.”
  • Proposed resolution (Res 0291-2022) by NYC Council Member Brewer introduced on August 11, 2022 – “Resolution calling upon the United States Federal Aviation Administration to ban all non-essential helicopter travel, including tourist and chartered helicopter flights over New York City.”
  • Proposed legislation (Int 0551-2022) by NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler introduced on June 16, 2022 – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting non-essential helicopters from operating at heliports owned or operated by the city. See press release.
  • Proposed legislation (Int 0226-2022) by NYC Council Member Brewer introduced on April 28, 2022 – “This bill would prohibit sightseeing helicopters from taking off and landing at heliports owned by the city if those helicopters meet the stage 3 noise limits for helicopters as determined by the Federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990, subject to approval by the United States Secretary of Transportation.”
  • Letter from Manhattan Borough President Brewer dated January 18, 2022 – “I write to urge you to close the West 30th St Heliport that is located in Hudson River Park.”

2021 & Earlier

  • Press Release from Manhattan Borough President Brewer dated October 29, 2021 – As helicopter complaints soar to new heights, first-ever dual-state, multi-city, multi-borough coalition calls for urgent federal action.
  • Community Board 7 Resolution: Jan 5, 2021 – Transportation Committee resolution seeking to end NYC government tax payer support of marketing helicopters over Manhattan.
  • Int 2067-2020: This bill would require the New York City Economic Development Corporation to collect certain safety and route information regarding helicopters operating on property owned by the city and submit such information to the Council upon request.
  • Int 2027-2020: This bill would require the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to conduct a study on the safety and feasibility of using electric powered vertical takeoff and landing vehicles in the city fleet.
  • Int 2026-2020: A local law to amend the NYC administrative code in relation to reducing noise caused by chartered helicopters. Introduced July 28, 2020.
  • NYC City Council pending legislation 2018 bill number 0852-2018: Would require NYC EDC to produce an annual helicopter sightseeing plan in consultation with community advocates, industry, and experts.
  • NYC City Council Hearing regarding Modifying Helicopter Routes to Reduce Noise Over Residential Neighborhoods on April 18, 2018: Testimony (download PDF) and Transcript (download PDF).
  • 2016 Agreement with NYC and Saker Aviation Services (operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport) to reduce helicopter tourist flights
  • Nov. 14, 2016 testimony of Friends of Governor’s Island regarding increase of helicopter flights and noise.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Testimony Regarding Bills to Ban Sightseeing Helicopters Presented to NYC Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection at City Hall.
  • NYC City Council Hearings for Bills Intro 858 and Intro 859, November 2015: Testimony (download PDF) and Transcript (download PDF).
  • NY State Senators Squadron and Hoylman Testimony in Support of NYC Council Bills Intro 858 and 859.
  • Int 858-2015: Bill that would prohibit sightseeing helicopters from taking off and landing at heliports owned by the city if those helicopters meet the stage 3 noise limits for helicopters as determined by the Federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.
  • Int 859-2015: Bill that would prohibit sightseeing helicopters from taking off and landing at heliports owned by the city if those helicopters do not meet the stage 3 noise levels for helicopters as determined by the Federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.
  • February 26, 2014 – NYC Council Resolution calling upon Congress to require the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations on air quality and noise for tourist helicopters flying over New York City.
  • September 17, 2014 – Letter from the Public Advocate Letitia James to Mayor de Blasio calling for a ban on the Helicopters Tour Operators.
  • June 17, 2013 – State of NY introduction of S5824. An act to amend the Hudson River Park Act.
  • October 5, 2011 – Press Release: Manhattan and Brooklyn Politicians Call for Total Ban on Tourist Helicopters from Manhattan Air Corridors.
  • June 1, 2011 – Letter from Congressmember Nydia Velazquez to Mayor Michael Bloomberg regarding tourist helicopter noise pollution and seeking ban over NYC.
  • April 2010 NYC EDC Helicopter Sightseeing Plan between Eastern Region Helicopter Council and Downtown Manhattan Heliport eliminating sightseeing tours over Central Park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn, and short tours, creating 311 noise complaints logs, and helicopter noise monitoring systems, and more.
  • September 27, 1999 – Mayor Giuliani press release regarding NYC Heliport Master Plan Study.