I have lived in New York City for almost all of my life, but the recent increase in noise pollution from helicopters has made life here so unpleasant that it has caused me to begin looking for a home elsewhere. The lack of response to my complaints that I've gotten from city officials in charge of helicopter noise has further convinced me that New York might be "a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there". By putting the interests of tourists first, I believe New York is being penny wise but pound foolish, for whatever they're gaining in tourist dollars they will be losing far more in real estate and income taxes.
******************************************************************************* Date: 12-10-2008 Time: 10:51 AM -0400
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I have complained to my local councilperson (Gail Brewer) as well as Christine Quinn and the NYC. No meaningful response. Is it lack of interest or conflict of interest? Who is contributing to their campaigns? The industry? The tycoons who feel their time is more precious than the peace and tranquility of our city? Inquiring minds want to know.
Why is it okay for helicopters to make deafening noise over New York? Why is the convenience of a very very few privileged people more important than my sleep and sanity?
As a coop owner who faces the East River, the constant noise from helicopters detracts from the quiet enjoyment of our apartment. The all-day racket is intrusive and the evening noise is even worse. Close the heliports in Manhattan and deny a license to sightseeing operators. These businesses are a nuisance to residents. I hate the helicopters.
News helicopters over the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and the FDR, at all hours, drive us nuts. The noise is incredible. I guarantee if City Council members had helicopters over their homes at 5:00am it would stop in short order.
******************************************************************************* Date: 07-10-2008 Time: 11:37 AM -0400
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I think these are traffic helicopters hovering over the BQE, in case anyone didn't know there was traffic in the morning. They hover in the same spot for 1/2 hour or more, starting at 6AM.
The helicopter noise along the Hudson River has noticeably increased and becoming unbearable. At specific times every day, the helicopter traffic is constant, with one helicopter after another. When outdoors enjoying the waterfront parks, many times one cannot carry on a conversation because the noise is so loud. This noise pollution is adversely affecting the quality of life and no doubt affecting health of both NY and NJ citizens and tourists.
This problem also affects low flying helicopters polluting the North Shore of Long Island. These jet helicopters shuttle the weathliest disturbing the skies over middle income homes. Finally I've noticed that the flights cause building vibrations and along the hudson and LI north shores.
******************************************************************************* Date: 04-08-2008 Time: 10:00 AM -0400
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I live in Astoria, and until this past June, have enjoyed a peaceful life here for the past 4 years. Then in June the helicopters started! They appear to fly from lower Manhattan toward LaGuardia or the Hamptons area, and only in that direction, which leads me to believe they are shuttles to the airport and the Hamptons, for the wealthy individuals that need a quick for of transport. They fly so low, are so frequent and loud that we can still be woken from them while wearing earplugs! For example, last night between 7:15-7:30 pm, there were 8 helicopters, loud enough to disturb conversation. Again this morning between 9:00-9:20 there were 10. This is just an example of the frequency as I have not recorded an entire day! I have called 311 and they always direct me to the Economic Development Corporation, where I have to leave a message, and where no person seems to feel the need to call back. I have done this several times, to no success. When you say to call 311, how have you been able to actually log a complaint? Thank you.
Sightseeing helicopter flights over central park happen every 15 minutes or so and make enough noise to disrupt a conversation. The city parks should be a no fly zone at least on the weekends. Tourists are welcome to enjoy the park in it not above it.
The constant helicopter noise in the summer time deprives anyone living in this area of the quiet peace and enjoyment of their home we are all entitled to.
I was a witness to the accident in the river that took place last year.
I was a passenger on a NY Waterway ferry and the tourist helicopter came down within 200 feet of us. It was a very frightening experience, and one I pray will not repeat itself anytime soon.
No helicopters over NYC are tolerable, especially over Manhattan. We pay outrageously high income taxes to both City and State. In return, we have a right to freedom from the horrible destruction of our peaceful enjoyment of our homes caused by helicopter flights. None should be permitted! Period. None at all!
Thank you! Not only is this a security issue, but the exhaust that drifts over the walking/running trail on the west side highway is a noxious toxic soup that makes it impossible to walk a stroller past without having concerns about the health risks. We have two small boys and will not go past the heliport..
Helicopters are too noisy and should be banned from residential areas. In the alternative, they should have very highl minimum ceiling for flying over residential areas. --Tracy
******************************************************************************* Date: 22-05-2008 Time: 11:04 AM -0400
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so tired of the news, traffic and police helicopters hovering for HOURS over the BQE!!!! always seems to be early in the morning when I am trying to sleep.
******************************************************************************* Date: 13-05-2008 Time: 08:52 AM -0400
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Re Today's (May 13, 2008) NY Times article "Choice of Heliport Operator Stirs Criticism and a Lawsuit" It's an interesting connection that Alvin S. Trenk and his son, Jeffrey Trenk, are directors of FirstFlight, the company apparently chosen by the EDC to operate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Trenk's also own Air Pegasus, the operator of the controversial West 30th Street Heliport.
******************************************************************************* Date: 11-05-2008 Time: 08:39 AM -0400
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I would argue that not only should sight-seeing tours be abolished, but commercial flights should be regulated and curtailed as well. Just because someone wants to get the Hamptons in 30 minutes doesn't mean that thousand of people below should suffer from the noise and fumes.
I am currently working with the town of Kearny to actively oppose the Newark Heliplex facility. I will be sending you an email when I have an email. I would love to discuss, and join up with you.
The noise is very loud at our complex located on the Hudson River...they hover above, waiting to land and this constant noise is a disturbance to this other wise peaceful conclave on the Hudson River.
I live at Riva Pointe, a pier in Weehawken, New Jersey and the quality of life is compromised due to the non-stop helicopter noise. We are also concerned with the safety issue of a helicopter crashing at our site. Thank you for your interest.
We own the town house at the corner of Riverside Drive and West 83st. 83st is a heavily used corridor for helicopter traffic from Laguardia. The Hudson River constantly has helicopter traffic nouth bound, sometimes encrouching on Riverside Park. Tourist helicopters constantly take off from 30th street and turn in the mid 80s for a double dose of noise, with the added clap,clap,clap upon turning. I've counted four helicopters in the airspace over the mid 80 at one time. When enjoying my roof garden I find it impossible to hear at times. One day this criss-cross traffic will result in two machines falling out of the sky. Then we'll get some action.
******************************************************************************* Date: 14-03-2008 Time: 09:11 AM -0500
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I often go to Riverside Park to get away from city noise but the helicopters turn around at 83rd St. many times every hour. As they turn, their sound waves aim directly to the park disturbing the peace. Enough is enough. This is an unnecessary and thoughtless way to give a very few people a short, expensive thrill at the expense of thousands of New Yorkers.
I live on the upper west side, and for many months 86th Street has been the crossover point for the helicopter traffic. I work from home and the noise from the passing helicopters is extremely loud and disruptive: shaking my windows, interfering with phone calls, drowning out the radio, and passing by with unfathomable frequency. This is a primary quality-of-life issue for me, and I am very pleased to have run across your website.
this is a message I just emailed to the mayor and other city officials. I think the more we let our voices be heard the sooner we can achieve our desire for a more livable city:
Dear Mayor Bloomberg:
I live in Battery Park City and am writing you for help in curtailing the helicopter sightseeing flights that bring a horrific amount of unnecessary noise to our neighborhood. It is deeply unsettling to all of us who live here.
We now experience a flight about every 30 seconds on the weekend. There are many pleasurable ways for visitors to see our city that do not continually disturb the lives of those of us who actually live her.
I understand the need for functional helicopter flights but sightseeing is not one of them.
Please work on our behalf to stop them. Thank you.
