Brooklyn Eagle: Copter Conflict Continues; City Reluctant To Ban

Brooklyn Officials Aren’t Giving Up

By Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

BROOKLYN — Brooklyn officials say they will be soaring ahead in pursuing a complete ban on tourist helicopter flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, regardless of a negative stance from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

Last year residents and representatives brokered an agreement between the city and helicopter companies — the “Helicopter Sightseeing Plan” — that changed flight paths and banned tourist flights over Brooklyn. But the choppers and their relentless noise haven’t stopped, residents say.

Following the closure of the West 30th Street Heliport to tourist helicopters, there has been a concentration of all city tourist helicopter traffic at the Downtown Manhattan facility. The noise complaints have escalated since major sections of Brooklyn Bridge Park — a supposedly peaceful haven — were completed.

“The high volume of choppers in such a small area continues to impinge on residents’ quality of life and pose a safety threat,” Sen. Daniel Squadron told the Brooklyn Eagle Tuesday. “The EDC and the helicopter industry have cooperated in creating regulations, but nothing has changed for residents. A solution that doesn’t work is no solution at all.”

Click here to continue reading this story