president of Stop the Chop NY NJ.

Stop the Chop says that the heliport at Pier 6 on the East River is the busiest private heliport in the nation.

It is owned by New York City, administered by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and leased to an operator called Saker Aviation.

U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler has been fighting for years to get tourism helicopters banned from New York City airspace, but without success.

"Sadly, the airspace above Manhattan and Brooklyn seems more like the Wild West than the airspace above one of the most populated cities in America," he said in an email. "It is long past time for the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] to rein in low-flying helicopters and those that veer off of approved flight paths. These helicopters are both too noisy and too dangerous. I am working with local elected officials and speaking with City Hall to find a solution to the problems caused by the tourist helicopters in New York City."

On June 6, Nadler was joined by more than 20 other elected officials for a meeting with de Blasio Administration representatives to discuss the problem. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was there as was Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Members Denny Farrell, Feliz Ortiz and Linda Rosenthal and City Council Members Mark Levine, Stephen Levin and Carlos Menchaca. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand attended as did Leslie Koch,  president of the Trust for Governors Island. 

"Every one of the two dozen elected officials in attendance called for an outright ban on helicopter sightseeing tours," said von Neuschatz. "The only ones opposed to the ban were Mayor de Blasio and  Michael Schlein, his EDC appointee."

She said the members of her group were "at a loss as to why City Hall is not complying with the wishes of so many New Yorkers, especially when the Mayor can put an end to this problem with the stroke of a pen. The concession agreement with Saker Aviation gives the City a tremendous amount of latitude in terminating it."

During the Bloomberg Administration, some people suggested that the heliport was being protected because Bloomberg himself was a helicopter pilot. De Blasio is not, so his reasons for not shutting it down remain obscure.

Though EDC claims otherwise, the heliport produces little revenue for the city according to Nadler's calculations. It doesn't generate jobs for New Yorkers says Stop the Chop. Saker Aviation is based in Nevada and most of the mechanics and pilots live in New Jersey, where the helicopters are parked overnight.  

Moreover, said von Neuschatz, the choppers are a security risk. "Anyone can board them," she said. "The TSA [Transportation Security Administration] is not involved at all. Walk-ins are welcome. These helicopters are all low-flying and fly close to dozens of buildings, not to mention major symbolic tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center."  

In a report to his constituents, Assembly Member Herman D. Farrell, Jr., who represents the 71st Assembly District (West Harlem, Inwood and Washington Heights), said that Mayor de Blasio's staff promised a follow-up meeting after the complaints passed along by the group of officials had been checked and verified. "From our point of view," said Farrell, "the issue has been well studied and analyzed, and the City would be justified in ending the flights."  

Ferry noise

Nadler and Squadron have been busy on another front having to do with noise. Battery Park City residents whose apartments and playgrounds face the Battery Park City ferry terminal have been complaining about the blasts from ferry horns as they back out of the terminal into the Hudson River.   

"I have spoken with the Coast Guard together with my fellow downtown elected officials and Community Board 1 to see if there is a way to lessen the disturbance," Nadler said in an email, "but, unfortunately, the Coast Guard has informed us that the safety regulations in effect are clear on the signaling requirements for ferry operators. In the coming weeks, we are also hoping to meet with the ferry operators directly to explore any ways that they can reduce the overwhelming noise created by the ferry horns without jeopardizing safety on the waterways."

Squadron said he was also working on the issue, hoping "to find a solution that reduces the noise and interruptions and provides the relief Lower Manhattan needs."

- Terese Loeb Kreuzer 

A ferry approaching the Battery Park City ferry terminal. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)