Politics & Government

A Unified Call To Ban Tourist Helicopters Over Brooklyn Waterfront

A rally took place on Sunday

Tourist helicopters are a real nuisance to people who live along and enjoy the South Brooklyn waterfront. From Brooklyn Heights to Red Hook, residents are calling for an end to the choppers.

"It’s time to stop the never-ending parade of tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport," said State Senator Daniel Squadron at a rally at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sunday. "Chopper tours can't come at the expense of our neighborhoods' quality of life."

The choppers fly directly over the waterfront after departing from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. In 2010, tourist flights were banned from the West 30th Street Heliport, forcing them to use it. Since then, there has been increased chopper noise and air traffic, said Squadron.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And now, residents and elected officials are calling for a complete ban of tourist flights from the Downtown Heliport, too.

The rally, held in the Sunday drizzle, was also attended by Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Councilmember Stephen Levin, Councilmember Brad Lander, Councilwoman Sara M. González, Councilmember Gale A. Brewer, and Brooklyn and Manhattan community leaders and residents.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 “Issues of helicopter noise have been a major concern for over a decade,” said Millman. “Living in Downtown Brooklyn we are subject to the constant helicopter noise as they circle and hover over our neighborhoods. It affects our quality of life."

In a statement, Jeffery Smith, Chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, said calling for a complete ban was "extremely misguided."

"Banning tourism flights will cripple a significant component of the City’s tourism industry – an industry that has kept New York’s economy going in times of financial struggle," he said.

The issue is not a new one. Last May, the New York City Economic Development Corporation promised to work with community leaders to put an end to the constant overhead helicopters. But the concessions made weren't enough for residents.

"These tourist helicopters’ flight pattern includes using Buttermilk Channel in order to fly up the Hudson River," said Millman. "This is causing unnecessary helicopter noise over residential communities in Brooklyn. Today’s rally is to demand that EDC end the flights – NOW.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill