Photo credit: Sasha Kim
by Arline L. Bronzaft, Ph.D., Board of Directors, GrowNYC, Co-founder, The Quiet Coalition, and Honorary Chair, Quiet American Skies
In this article from Staten Island Advance, we learn that Staten Island residents are being subjected to persistent noise from low-flying helicopters. This includes noise from sightseeing helicopters out of a heliport in New Jersey. Many have filed complaints with Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who said the Federal Aviation Administration has been informed and the agency is investigating.
One resident reported that the noise from these low-flying helicopters is “driving us crazy.” Residents also said the noise persists from morning to at least 10 p.m, and they say their quality of life is being adversely impacted. Continuous noise is hazardous to health and well-being, a fact that is well supported by many scientific articles.
With respect to the FAA investigation, we learn that no new flight paths have been recently introduced. Furthermore, the helicopters flying over Staten Island are not under air traffic control. Rather, pilots are using cues such as landmarks and major roads to navigate during the trips. In essence, the pilot is responsible for flying in a “neighborly” fashion, according to FAA spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt. He informs us that helicopters can fly lower if the operation is conducted “without hazard to persons or property on the surface.”
The FAA’s response, in my opinion, did not address the residents’ complaints at all. I would like to know from Rep. Malliotakis whether the FAA has offered any more information, beyond Breitenfeldt’s comments in this article. I intend to follow up on the helicopters that are disturbing residents in Staten Island.
