The settlement between Air Pegasus and Friends of the Hudson River park was recently signed by a judge. The full text of the settlement can be downloaded here (PDF Format).

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Suit

Today the New York Times ran an article glossing over the terms of the settlement cut between Friends of Hudson River Park and Air Pegasus in the West 30th Street Heliport Suit. The Settlement will be submitted to the judge for signature next week. At that point we will publish a post that lays out the terms of the settlement in more detail.

The title of PATRICK McGEEHAN's article in the Times today is "Tourist Helicopter Rides Are Set to Be Phased Out." Which is accurate, when modified with "at the West 30th Street Heliport." Although this article does mention the fact that Alvin Trenk and co. are poised to take over the South Street Heliport under the contract recently awarded to FirstFlight by the EDC, it fails to mention that Trenk Moving to South Street makes the title of the article a misnomer. It does not require any in depth analysis to see that the awarding of the contract, and the settlement have very serendipitous timing. Trenk should have no problem moving his entire operation over to South Street by 2010, where he can comfortably operate under the new FirstFlight management. This article also fails to mention that by moving the heliport 2 blocks to the north, it would fall under the "permitted uses" category, in the rules governing Hudson River Park.

When the judge signs the settlement next week, it will be a victory for the residents of the LWS and Friends of the Hudson River Park. But in reality, tourist flights are far from being phased out in NYC. When addressing the full scope of the tourist flight issue, the settlement will merely be a bandaid and a PR crutch for those on the side of the City and State who have been fielding complaints relating to this issue.

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Articles, south street heliport, Trenk

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, EDC, south street heliport

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Suit

In a decision that has apparently upset many of the existing local heliport opertators, the EDC has chosen FirstFlight Inc. to operate the downtown heliport located near Wall
Street and the South Street Seaport. FirstFlight, which is based in Elmira, NY, has reportedly never operated a similar heliport in the metropolitan area or any large city. For this reason, local heliport operators are scrutinizing the selection method used by the EDC, claiming that in this case political considerations may have unfairly trumped the professed bidding procedures. Although FirstFlight must still be approved by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee and the comptroller’s office, the EDC is no longer accepting bids for the contract, and according to EDC spokesperson Janel Patterson, a winner has already been chosen. Local heliport operators that were passed over for the bid include, Linden Airport Management Corporation, which operates a municipal airport in New Jersey; and Air Pegasus, which currently operates the contraversial 30th Street Heliport. Click here to read the comprehensive article in the NY Times.

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Downtown Heliport, NYEDC, Operator

Click through here to read the letters published in the New York Post

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Articles, Complaints, Letters

Here is a link to a heavily biased New York Post article that was published today regarding the civil litigation surrounding the 30th Street Heliport. In the article, the author draws a supposed matter of fact conclusion that "the suit should fail," based on a sloppy summary of partial data. Feel free to send your opinion of the article to the editor of the post at letters@nypost.com .

Labels: 30th Street Heliport

Below are some links to articles in the NY Times pertaining to the civil suit against the owners of the 30th Street Helipad in Chelsea. In addition to these links, a news article page will soon be added to the Site, to facilitate the access of news relevant to helicopter noise in the NYC area.

January article regarding Chelsea Heliport Suit (Jan. 20, 2008)

February article regarding Chelsea Heliport Suit- owner would opt for plan to move pad into Hudson River (Feb 15, 2008)

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Articles, Suit