Bring up the topic of helicopters to almost any New York City resident and you are bound to be met with an eye roll and a sigh. People are frustrated and as it stands – our city’s helicopter industry is bringing New Yorkers minimum benefit, and maximum harm.
In November 2022, I chaired a New York City Council oversight hearing on the city’s helicopter industry. At that hearing, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) stated that the industry generates less than $2 million in revenue for the city annually. This amount is inconsequential relative to NYC’s $100 billion budget, and has no valid argument to justify the harm non-essential helicopter use causes residents. The helicopter industry should be delivering more than just a few million dollars for New York City and a few quick trips for some. Instead it brings an overwhelming amount of noise, carbon pollution, and 311 complaints.
Complaints against helicopter noise have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic with over 59,000 complaints filed with 311 in 2023 alone. While this number of complaints is alarming, helicopters are far more than just a nuisance to New Yorkers. The pollution caused by the current New York City helicopter industry is abysmal. Just one helicopter idling is equivalent to 40 cars idling! One of the most popularly utilized helicopters produces approximately 950 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per hour, for context the average car produces just 22 pounds per hour. Think about how harmful that is to the schools, families, and commuters nearby.
Over the last two years as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, I have met with New Yorkers, industry leaders, and the Administration on all the benefits and the challenges the industry presents to New Yorkers. New York City needs to be at the forefront of the electrification movement for the sake of our neighbors, climate change, and to remain an industry leader in climate action. New York City needs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the helicopter industry to expedite their policies in this direction.
At the hearing we will discuss legislation to prohibit non-essential helicopters from operating at heliports owned by the city and/or requiring the use of electric helicopters only; and installing sound level meters on top of city buildings, streetlights and, upon request of the owner, private buildings in areas that commonly experience helicopter noise. Alongside several resolutions supporting our State and Federal partners work on this issue.
In 2016 the New York City Council took a bold step with cutting the number of sightseeing flights leaving from the Wall Street heliport in half, resulting in about 30,000 fewer flights per year. Today the City Council continues its position to reform the helicopter industry for the needs of the 21st century and the future of our city.
