According to the NY Times, The NYCEDC is moving forward with the transition of the Downtown Heliport management, despite a suit questioning its fairness.

The NYCECD told the NY Times that in the next several weeks, FirstFlight, an upstate based helicopter pad operator, associated with Alvin Trenk, of Pegasus Air (currently operating the 30th Street heliport) will have assumed management of the Downtown Heliport. Earlier this spring, the controversial award of the management contract from the EDC to FirstFlight, led to a suit from a competing operator based at Linden Airport in NJ. The NY Times says that Patricia Ornst of the EDC "acknowledged that some sightseeing flights are very likely to be diverted to the downtown heliport because the West Side heliport has started gradually phasing down the sightseeing traffic there. But she added that she was sensitive to complaints from downtown residents about helicopter noise."

The reason that 30th street sightseeing traffic is going to be phased down, is to comply with a settlement agreement entered into this summer, after Air Pegasus was sued by Friends of Hudson River Park. The suit, and settlement agreement should be an indication of how NYC residents feel about the constant tourist helicopter noise. By saying that she was "sensitive to complaints from downtown residents about helicopter noise," Ms. Ornst must mean that she has listened to the voicemail messages that the EDC has been receiving. It is dubious, judging from the action by the EDC (or lack thereof) since they have been delegated to handle noise complaints about helicopter traffic in NYC, how much EDC really is sensitive to residents afflicted by the noise.

Labels: Downtown Heliport, EDC, Noise Pollution, NYEDC, 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

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is a quasi New York City governmental organization that works in connection with the city government in a variety of areas. The NYCEDC is currently working on the following projects to help deal with unwanted helicopter noise in NYC:

1. Revamping the 311 operator script to more effectively route helicopter noise complaints. The NYCEDC has submitted an order that calls received by 311 operators regarding helicopter noise be routed to a representative at the NYCEDC who can make sure that the complaint or report be passed along to the appropriate parties (helicopter operators, FAA, Mayor's office, etc.).
2. Re-convening a group to take the place of the discontinued "helicopter noise task force." The NYCEDC is currently working to implement a scheduled round table type of meeting where representatives from the FAA, representatives from media helicopters operators, and possibly the any other relevant NY governmental organizations. The purpose of these round table meetings will be to address public issues pertaining to aircraft operators, including helicopter noise.
3. Regulating the South Street Heliport. After 47 years, the Port Authority had decided that it will no longer regulate the South Street Heliport. The NYCEDC is looking to step in and assume the role. Click here for a NY Times article pertaining to this subject.

To get involved with the NYCEDC, they can be contacted through their website by following this link.

Labels: EDC, NYEDC