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.

April 16 2024 – NYC Council Hearing

Information

What: On Tuesday, April 16, the New York City Council held a public hearing on multiple bills and resolutions to ban nonessential helicopter traffic at City-run heliports, and throughout the region. A list of these bills and resolutions is at the bottom of this page. Watch video of the hearing here!

These pieces of legislation are the most consequential actions the Council can take to reduce helicopter traffic in New York City and would eliminate over 40,000 flights annually.

In order for these critical bills and resolutions to succeed, we need all NYC residents to contact their Council Members in support of these bills! You can find your Council Member here.

See the bottom of this page for more information about the six bills/resolutions that were discussed at the hearing.

Press Releases & Testimonials

  • Click here to read the NYC Council’s press release regarding the April 16, 2024 hearing and discussed legislation and resolutions.

  • Congressman Dan Goldman submitted written testimony in support of these pieces of legislation, available here.

Bills and resolutions under discussion

The hearing featured testimony on the below bills and resolutions:

  • 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.
  • 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.