Heli Free NYC Blog

Latest petition signatory

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:43:00 +0000

I think that the submission we received below, is the closest that the industry* has come to making some sort of formal contact with our group, despite our numerous attempts to contact them. Apparently Mr. Protesters of F**k you, NY, feels that his freedom to fly is somehow in jeopardy. I have to say that "f**k you, NY" is definitely the message that NY has been hearing loud and clear from the sight seeing helicopter industry, for quite a long time now. So, thanks for the laugh Mr. Protesters. I have to say though, your comments appear to be missing some punctuation. Or, is it that you just have not learned the distinction between "their" and "there?"

*******************************************************************************

FirstName: retarded

LastName: protesters

Email_Address: dont@mail.me

Phone:
Address:

232 bulls**t st.

f**k you, ny 04535

Additional_Comments: There protesters are retarded. Preserve our freedom to fly.

*inference that the submission was received from anyone affiliated with the helicopter industry is purely speculative, and is not founded on any factual information. It may have been any grammatically challenged proponent of noise pollution (or impersonator thereof).

Downtown Heliport transition moving forward

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:20:00 +0000

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.

More anonymous commentary

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:50:00 +0000

Anonymous wrote:

I just found your web site while searching for links to heliport information. As a member of the "enemy camp" I find this site a bit distressing. Certainly my experiences in NYC are that it, like Chicago where I reside, is a noisy place. With the sounds of cars honking, buses, trucks, sirens, etc. how can you possibly hear the helicopters?That being said, I have to think back to New Orleans after Katrina when the citizens were happy to see helicopters hovering over their homes to rescue them. If you chase them all away, who will be there to save you when things go terribly wrong?

Anonymous, thanks for taking the time to share your sentiments with us. We agree, that like Chicago, NYC is generally loud. You will not find, however, pervasive sirens and horns before dawn on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for helicopter noise. If this were to become the case however, there are "quality of life" statutes currently in force, in NYC to deal with most types of pervasive noise pollution, especially during the hours when most people are at home and trying to sleep. Once again, not the case when it comes to helicopter generated noise pollution. Helicopter noise is immune to these statutes because the FAA preempts anything that the City could legislate to address helicopter noise.

With respect to your comments re: New Orleans and Katrina, apparently you did not spend much time reading what we are attempting to accomplish with this site. Military, police, emergency and even private corporate helicopter traffic is not what we are intending to curtail. Indeed if the helicopter traffic over Manhattan were limited to the above reference categories, there would most likely be no issue at all. The real offenders are the tourist helicopters and the news media helicopters. Those, my dear Anonymous, are the ones that we say, must go.

Let the Media know that you don't appreciate their helicopters

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:00:00 +0000

The following, is a message received by HFNYC from David, NYC resident regarding news media helicopters. Feel free to use the links that David has provided below, until we incorporate them into our site:

You should suggest that readers write (bombard) local news stations with emails, letters, phone calls, telling them that their helicopters (especially morning traffic reports) are a nuisance ... that with their logos and station number emblazoned on the side, it's easy for residents to look up in frustration and resent/boycott their stations ... maybe they'll get the message and at least reduce the coverage if they fear that their brand is being harmed by the pollution it's causing.
If as many people that sign your petition also contact each station, there could be some recognition given to residents of the city.

All their websites have contact forms that make it easy to submit comments/complaints.

Links:
NBChttp://www.wnbc.com/contactus/index.html
ABChttp://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/inside_station/station_info&id=5783128
CBShttp://wcbstv.com/contact
Foxhttp://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/ContactUs?pageId=5.11
WB 11http://www.wpix.com/pages/wpix_contact

Anonymous message recieved on "comments"

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:18:00 +0000

The following message was recently submitted through the "comments" section of the site:

These helicopters MUST be allowed to continue flight. They perhaps can
try to fly a bit further over the east river and/or hudson, but a helicopter
free NYC? Are you nuts? You are forgetting the jobs and income these business
bring into the area. Pilots, aviation mechanics, sightseeing business, etc.

What is much worse is the cars you drive. I bet you are here
complaining about helicopter noise but routinely jump in your car and drive
around. That is MUCH worse! How am I suppose to enjoy my outdoor meal at a
Manhattan cafe with outdoor seating with your damn car idleing [sic] at a red
light next to me? Walk, or take the subway!

I fly my Cessna up and down the hudson at least once a month and will
continue to due so. I fly on the east side heading north, and the west side
coming back. I do not overfly any buildings and always try to avoid overflying
residential areas at a low altitude to help with noise abatement. All pilots
should be doing the same. However, helicopters can be loud when landing and
taking off at a heliport, but I'm sorry... That's the price you pay for living
in the big city. I see other's comments about the noise ruining their "peaceful
enjoyment"... Hello! This is Manhattan! If you want a peaceful quiet place, move
to the mountains of West Virginia.

Thank you for your point of view, anonymous commentator. As you have deduced, the organizers of this site, as well as the signatories of the petition disagree with most of what you have written. The revenue and jobs related to the helicopter tourism are a small price to pay for the residents of the NYC area, as a whole, to be rid of the nuisance of helicopter noise. Although tourism is one of NYC's largest revenue generators, the sightseeing flights are an extremely small portion. It isn't like there are hordes of helicopter mechanics that would be out of business either. Last time I checked, there are 4 international airports in the area. Air traffic will always be operating. In fact, your idea of over the rivers, isn't a bad one. If only all helicopter traffic really would operate over the rivers. Unfortunately this isn't the case.

I'm not really sure how you are drawing a corollary between driving cars and flying helicopters, but as you most likely are aware, the majority of Manahattanites do not own or drive cars. So you are really preaching to the choir with your car example. What's more, is that although you maybe annoyed by cars when out in public, you will never experience the overpowering noise of a car engine hovering over your home in the early hours of the morning, making your entire room shake. If by some chance that ever did occur, at least there are laws in place for you to do something about it. When noise generated by auto traffic does encroach on living standards, there are statutes on the books that allow citations to be issued to the offending vehicle operators. Not the case with air traffic.

As far as you flying your Cessna up and down the rivers and avoiding low altitude over residential areas, if all pilots would do the same, there wouldn't even be an issue. Frankly we wish that all pilots would have the same courtesy. The problem arises when a person spends well over 1 million dollars on their home, and then cannot enjoy it because there is a tourist helipad next door. Even if a person isn't near the helipad, the media helicopters hover, and hover, and hover relentlessly. Why does there constantly need to be a helicopter hovering over a bridge monitoring traffic, when there are hundreds of fixed cameras doing the same? Manhattan will never be a "quiet peaceful" place, as you say. But residents tormented by helicopter noise should definitely be able to have some recourse, the same way that people tormented by loud garbage trucks, barking dogs, night clubs and car alarms do.

311 calls going into black hole?

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:26:00 +0000

After several months of pressure from NYC area groups and individuals, the EDC agreed to have 311 calls dealing with helicopter noise complaints, routed directly to the EDC. Previously, the helicopter noise complaints were being routed by 311 operators to a helicopter industry representative. Despite a perceived victory for opponents of helicopter noise, the shift in routing of 311 calls may have been in vain. As before, it appear that the 311 calls may be again be falling on deaf ears. HFNYC has become aware of multiple instances in which 311 callers referred to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, have been routed to voicemail, with no return phone call received by the 311 caller. One contributor to the HFNYC comment page reported "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." This does not come as a huge surprise, given then contraversial manner that the new contract for the Downtown Heliport was recently awarded to Firstflight, by the EDC. Feel free to share your 311 experience with us, by commenting on this post, contributing to the comments page, or sending an email to administrator@helifreenyc.com. It may also be helpful to share your experience with the EDC via their contact page, by clicking here.

Settlement Agreement Signed

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:10:00 +0000

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).

Misleading NY Times Headline About W. 30th Street Heliport

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:39:00 +0000

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.

More Details on Linden Airport Management Corp. v. NYEDC

noreply@blogger.com (Heli Free NYC) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:31:00 +0000

More details unfolded today, regarding the law suit filed by Linden Airport Management Corp. against the EDC. Linden's suit is claiming that the contract to operate the South Street heliport was awarded unfairly to FirstFlight. The Star Ledger published an article today, in which Paul Dudley the director of Linden Airport in NJ decribed the circumsatances giving rise to the suit. Dudley claims that Linden Airport Management Corp. submitted the most competitive bid for the South Street heliport, and that they should have been awarded the contract. According to Dudley, the EDC held a secret second round of bidding, in which FirstFlight outbid Linden and was awarded the contract. Dudley is particularly concerned by the fact that Alvin Trenk, the operator of the controversial West 30th Street heliport, is listed as one of the directors of FirstFlight. Dudley claims that Air Pegasus, also operated by Trenk gave favorable rates to certain groups at the 30th Street heliport. Other NY helicopter operators accuse Trenk of forcing them out of the 30th street heliport to eliminate competition for the sight seeing flights. Concerns have been raised that Trenk will employ the same alleged practices at South Street, under FirstFlight controlled management. According to The Star Ledger, Linden's attorney described the conditions surrounding the bidding as "decidedly not a level playing field."

Former EDC Senior Avation Official to Manage South Street Heliport on Interim Basis

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:24:00 +0000

In the midst of controversy over the heliport contract awarded by the EDC to FirstFlight, Ron Ricciardi, the vice chairman of FirstFlight, names Robert Grotell the interim manager of the South Street Heliport. Grotell is the former senior aviation official for the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Grotell worked as a city transportation official under Mayors Bloomberg and Giuliani, but ceased working for the City in 2004, where his title was deputy commissioner of transportation. Grotell is currently an aviation consultant. The City’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee held a hearing in response to the criticism that has arisen over the awarding of the South Street Heliport contract to FirstFlight. Many of the current helicopter operators in the NYC region feel that FirstFlight is inferior and does not have the requisite experience to operate a heliport in the metropolitan area. One local operator, Linden Airport Management Corporation has filed a suit in federal court to overturn the EDCs choice, claiming that it was biased and politically motivated. Others believe that having FirstFlight operating the heliport is a conflict of interest, give that Alvin S. Trenk, a director of First Flight owns Air Pegasus, the company operating the controversial West 30th Street heliport. Since Trenk runs a sightseeing business, other helicopter companies say that it would be unfair to have their competitor also be their landlord. Patricia Ornst, an official of the development corporation, is reported by the New York Times to have attended the hearing, but did not comment on the complaints surrounding the EDCs decision.

Hudson River Helicopter Noise Coalition Memorial Day Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Congratulations to the volunteers of the Hudson River Helicopter Noise Coalition, who hit the streets Memorial Day weekend to gather signatures for the petition against helicopter noise. They were able to collect almost 300 signatures, as well as distribute information about getting involved, to concerned citizens.

Petition submission form restored to working order

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:00:00 +0000

It was brought to our attention last week, that the submission form for the online petition was not working properly. We apologize for the inconvenience. The issue has now been resolved. Thank you for taking the time to report bugs.

The Friends of Hudson River Park reportedly trying to reach settlement in 30th Street suit

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:07:00 +0000

According to the New York Times, Lawyers for the The Friends of Hudson River Park have asked a judge to postpone the lawsuit currently filed by the Friends, against Air Pegasus (operators of the West 30th Street Heliport). The reason for the postponment is said to be that the parties are attempting to conclude a settlement that would hopefully lead to a ban on sightseeing flights from the West 30th street location within a couple of years.

NYC Economic Development Corporation Chooses New Operator For South Street Heliport

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:44:00 +0000

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.

Hovering News Media Helicopter Problem in Wa. Heights Area Persists

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:47:00 +0000

News Helicopters captured here in a four-video sequence hovering over NYC near the GW bridge, starting around 5:30 AM.

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:46:00 +0000

2 of 4 in a four sequence video of hovering media helicopter in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:44:00 +0000

3 of 4 in a four sequence video of hovering media helicopter in NYC

In this clip, there are actually 2 helicopters. One is in a position farther north.

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:43:00 +0000

4 of 4 in a four sequence video of hovering media helicopter in NYC

FAA Response to Email Regarding LaGuardia Tower Instrucitons to Helicopters

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:24:00 +0000

On March 24, of this year I sent the following email to the FAA regarding a statement in an New York Observer Article:

Gentlemen, I recently read an article in the NY Observer stating that theLa Guardia air traffic control tower ordered the media helicopters coveringSpitzer's resignation, to limit their footage time to 10 minutes. Is thistrue? Under what circumstances are the Air Traffic control towers allowedto make these types of orders? I have been trying to assist our localneighborhood with the ongoing problem of hovering news helicopters. Anyinformation you can provide would be helpful. Please advise.

Today, I received this response:

Sorry for the delayed response. These was [sic] related to safety concerns, asmultiple [sic] helicopters requested to get into the area. The best way to address helicopter noise concerns is to notify the industrygroup [sic] representing helo operators at 845-353-6050. Give them as muchinformation [sic] about the disturbance as possible and if possible they willcontact [sic] the operator.

Volunteers Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:34:00 +0000

We are currently seeking volunteers to help with the following:

1. Petition promoters, to pass out flyers, business cards and post posters on community boards in neighborhoods, and verbally ask people to sign the petition against helicopter noise

3. Community group researcher, to identify community groups along the Hudson River such as neighborhood associations, condo/condominium boards, community boards, etc. and obtain names of their leadership and contact info.

4. Volunteer coordinator, to recruit volunteers and coordinate with existing volunteers regarding current objectives.

5. Representatives to monitor agenda and attend meetings at the NYC community boards, NYC Council, Hudson River Park Trust, Friends of Hudson River Park Trust, NYC mayor's office/office of economic development, NJ town meetings.

6. Coordinator of letter writing campaign

9. liaison to interface with elected officials and their aides

10. Media Coordinator, to contact newspapers/radio stations/programs/TV – in efforts to do articles/coverage, press releases and interviews

If you are interested, please contact Peggy Stitzenberg of the Hudson River Helicopter Noise Coalition -- (201) 223-0757 peggy.stitzenberg@pahc.com

Petition Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:28:00 +0000

Thanks to all who have already added their names to our e-petition to stop helicopter noise pollution in the NYC area. For those who have not yet done so, please click on this link to add your name. We are constantly looking for ways to promote the petition. The more names that we are able to collect, the larger the impact will be when the petition is present to elected officials. If you have any ideas to further make concerned individuals aware of this petition, please feel free send your ideas to administrator@helifreenyc.com, or follow this link to submit your idea through the feedback form.

New York Observer Story Claims that LaGuardia Tower Limited News Helicopter Footage

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:16:00 +0000

In this article http://www.observer.com/2008/trivial-pursuit-meet-spitzer-chopper-chase-guy-dan-rice?page=0%2C0 published in The New York Observer, a helicopter cameraman is interviewed regarding the coverage of Spitzer's resignation. The cameraman claims that the air traffic tower at LaGuardia limited the amount of footage to 10 minutes per helicopter. The Observer wrote,

"Mr. Rice said that the governor-pursuit story had, in fact, ended oddly. He said the Chopper 4 team had been planning to provide footage of Mr. Spitzer, post-resignation, as he made his way back home. But then Lars and the rest of the helicopter news pilots, according to Mr. Rice, got orders from the control tower at LaGuardia (which helps control airspace over the city) that they had to stay clear of midtown. Each helicopter, they were told, would be allowed 10 more minutes of footage back at the governor’s apartment. That was it.
Mr. Rice said he was still puzzled by the “peculiar” instructions. “We don’t know why that happened,” said Mr. Rice. “I don’t know if it was more about noise complaints, or if somebody finally decided to give the guy a break.”

In the story the cameraman claims that the helicopters were around 2000 ft. Can the air traffic control towers order the low flying helicopters to clear out, in response to noise complaints?

Feel free to contact the FAA regarding this issue. Use this link

Contact your Elected Officials

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:31:00 +0000

HFNYC now has a page containing the names and contact information of the NYC elected officials. You can also use a link on the page to look up your state and federal representatives, using your zip code. Please take a minute to send a quick email to your elected officials regarding the issue of helicopter noise. Also, if you haven't had a chance to put your name on our petition, feel free to do that as well. Happy Vernal Equinox!

Petition Now Available for Signatures

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:38:00 +0000

Through the collected efforts of Helifreenyc.org, the Hudson River Helicopter Coalition and the Helicopter Noise Coalition of NYC, an online petition has been posted to collect signatures of those who wish to tell elected officials that we expect them to do something about the noise pollution emitted from helicopters in the NYC area. Please join us in this effort by placing your name on the petition.

Fox 5 Helicopter Reported Hovering over Tribeca at 6:20 A.M.

noreply@blogger.com (Turbo) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:37:00 +0000

A Macdougal St. Resident reported to Helifreenyc.org this morning that the Fox 5 news helicopter was hovering over her neighborhood for about an hour this morning beginning around 6:20, while filming a broken water main. The resident said that when she called Fox to complain, they said they"couldn't move it because they were shooting a water main break." Click here to let Fox 5 know that you disapprove of these actions.