Wed, Jun 26, 2019
Letter To Acting FAA Administrator Calls For An End To 'Joy Riding' Tourist Flights
A group of members of Congress from New York has written a letter to acting FAA Administrator Daniel Elwell calling for a complete ban on "non-essential" helicopter flights over New York City.
The effort is being led by Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07). Joining the Members on the letter are Reps. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Kathleen M. Rice (NY-04), Grace Meng (NY-06), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Eliot L. Engel (NY-16), and José E. Serrano (NY-15). This request comes after the June 10 accident which resulted in the death of the pilot after he impacted the roof of a Midtown building.
"New York City has one of the highest rates of helicopter use in the world [and] is one of the most densely populated cities in the United States, exponentially increasing the potential dangers of a helicopter accident in our city. The number of helicopter flights over New York City creates intolerable risks to the community and negative impacts on the quality of life of all its residents," the letter states. "There is no justification for allowing tourists to joy-ride through our skies, endangering people below and adding to the heavy burden of noise pollution residents already endure. Commuter helicopter flights impose risks to the community that far outweigh any benefits to the very small number of people who use them.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio, in an interview last week on WNYC Radio with Brian Lehrer, publicly stated that he supports a ban of non-essential helicopters over Manhattan, and that he is working with the Congressional delegation on this effort.
"We are asking you to look at the history of fatal crashes and near escapes and to take immediate action to ban all non-essential helicopter flights and immediate institute TFRs on helicopter flights over New York City. It is within the FAA’s authority to issue this TFR, and we urge the FAA to act without delay," the letter concludes.
(Source: Rep. Maloney news release. Image from file)
More News
Also: Horizon Picks P&W PT6A, Army Buys 3 EagleNXT, First Hybrid-Electric Regional, Army Selects AEVEX Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft was flown>[...]
While Flying North Along The Beach At About 300 Ft Above Ground Level, The Pilot Reported That The Engine RPM Dropped To About Idle On September 28, 2025, at 1126 eastern daylight >[...]
Aero Linx: European Association of Aviation Training and Educational Organisations (EATEO) Welcome to the “ European Association of Aviation Training and Education Organizati>[...]
On-Course Indication An indication on an instrument, which provides the pilot a visual means of determining that the aircraft is located on the centerline of a given navigational t>[...]
“It also gives us the hard data we need to shape requirements, reduce risk, and ensure the CCA program delivers combat capability on a pace and scale that keeps us ahead of t>[...]
Airborne-NextGen 11.04.25: Anduril YFQ-44A, Merlin SOI 2, UAV Rulemaking Stalled
See All