NBAA urges members to contact New York governor to veto helicopter noise pollution bill

The sounds of the city might be appealing to some, but to some New Yorkers the sounds of helicopters overhead have become a nuisance. Senate Bill S7493A was sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday, after being passed by the State Assembly and State Senate. By law, she must be sign or veto it by Dec. 23.

This bill allows anyone to sue a pilot, line service personnel, flight department or company employee for rotorcraft noise pollution.

The alleged noise pollution pertains to flight operations within the state of New York and is applicable even if the operation complies with federal laws and regulations. The NBAA pleaded with those operating in business aviation within the state of New York to urge Hochul to veto the bill, as the passing of this senate bill could seriously affect business aviation in the state.

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NBAA issues call of action to block New York Senate Bill S7493A

“While many of our members may not live in New York, they conduct business and operations there frequently,” said Brittany Davies, NBAA northeast regional director. “This harmful legislation has an impact that reaches beyond the state line and we need the governor to recognize the true implications. By signing this petition, NBAA members who live outside New York can be heard too.”

The “Stop the Chop” act was passed June 3 by the state assembly. NBAA has worked with partners in the state to oppose the legislation, citing that the bill could have serious effects on business within the state.

A Twitter account for the bill has a petition that started in 2020. The petition states that since 1980 there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in or around the NYC area, many resulting in fatalities and property damage. The petition states that non-essential helicopters should not be flying over densely populated areas. This first part of the petition addressed the “Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2019” legislation. The second part addresses the noise pollution created by these aircraft and the inconvenience they cause those living in the city and visiting the surrounding areas.

The petition had nearly 15,000 signatures and many voiced complaints about noisy jogs through the park and the smell of fumes. The website for the cause said it is a grassroots organization formed to ban nonessential helicopter flights in the New York metropolitan area.

The NBAA stresses the bill was worded in a way that would have far-reaching effects on business aviation, not just what the Stop the Chop organization deems to be non-essential helicopters. A letter to Hochul from NBAA and other stakeholders claimed the bill conflicts with federal aviation law.

Other signers on this letter included the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, New York Aviation Management Association, National Air Transportation Association and Helicopter Association International.

According to the letter sent from stakeholders: “As written, the act operates as an access restriction at the West 30th Street heliport. But that is prohibited by the federal law governing the implementation of noise and access restrictions, the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (49 U.S.C. § 47521, et seq.).”

The letter goes on to state that the act is too broad and creates a right for any individual who feels they have been negatively affected by helicopter noise pollution can sue. If this act passes, any person who is found to have caused noise levels deemed unreasonable could be open for a lawsuit against them.

“In New York, the general aviation industry is responsible for 43,200 jobs and more than $8.6 billion in total economic output,” noted the NBAA call to action. “The governor must hear from the general aviation community that this legislation will be detrimental to business aviation across the state of New York.”

The NBAA is urging people to email Hochul and ask her to veto the bill.

New York residents can petition the governor through this link from the NBAA.

Out-of-state residents can do so through this link.