Senator Schumer, State Senator Avella, and Assembly Member Simanowitz Call on Faa to Address Helicopter Noisepollution in Northeast Queens Communities

 (New York) U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, State Senator Tony Avella, and Assembly Member Michael Simanowitz urged Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Huerta to help address prevalent noise pollution caused by heavy helicopter traffic throughout Northeast Queens, including Whitestone and Malba Garden.

Specifically, the lawmakers urged the FAA to monitor helicopter flight paths, track the frequency with which the helicopters fly over the affected neighborhoods, and monitor the noise levels that have negatively impacted the quality of life for the residents of these areas.  In their letter, the lawmakers urged the FAA to apply its authority and create or make changes to helicopter flight patterns to redirect their flight paths, whenever possible, to all-water routes. 

The letter went on to say that confining helicopters to all-water routes would significantly curb the abundant noise pollution that plagues the large population of residents whom inhabit high-density Queens. The lawmakers explained that, while rerouting traffic might add additional travel time or fuel expenses to those using helicopter service for their commute, the working families whose property values have suffered from the excessive noise would benefit from this reform.

“An over-the-water helicopter route for Northeast Queens communities will provide long-sought relief for so many residents that have had to endure onerous helicopter noise overhead,” said Senator Schumer. “There is ample space and safe all-water routes that East End-bound helicopters can travel which will relieve communities like those in Northern Queens from the incessant drone of low-flying helicopters, and I will fight hard to expand the all-water route. The FAA must do everything possible to alter its helicopter route and better track helicopter flight patterns, frequency and noise levels to better protect quality of life in these communities.”

“The absurd level of noise caused by helicopters has become a daily issue for the residents of Northeast Queens. If the travel time for these wealthy commuters needs to be increased by a small fraction so as to alleviate homeowners from excessive noise pollution that decreases their property values, so be it. I call on the FAA monitor this phenomenon, and redirect helicopter traffic to all-water routes,” said State Senator Tony Avella.

"The helicopter traffic over Northeast Queens has reached unreasonable levels in recent years. Residents have grown frustrated by this issue which can be mitigated by a number of proposed solutions.  The FAA should explore these options to address this problem that has quickly become a quality of life and fiscal concern,” said Assemblyman Simanowitz.

Senator Schumer has long advocated for solutions to curb low-flying helicopters. For years, Schumer has worked with officials from the FAA, New York metropolitan area helicopter operators and airport mangers to establish solutions to eradicate onerous helicopter noise. In 2012, Schumer successfully pushed the Department of Transportation to finalize and publish regulations that mandate over-water routes for helicopters flying on the North Shore, and he has worked hard to further expand this route to cover all communities in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island.

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