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)

FMI: Letter text