NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The New York State Senate passed a bill Tuesday which will decrease the number of non-essential helicopter flights across Manhattan, legislation residents have been calling on for years to reduce the noise from the choppers.
“Helicopters take off and land in Manhattan hundreds of times each week, flying over and near people’s homes, emitting high decibel noise, and guzzling fossil fuels,” said Senator Brad Hoylman, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Many New Yorkers can no longer work from home comfortably, enjoy a walk along the waterfront, or keep a napping child asleep because of the incessant noise and vibrations from non-essential helicopter use. And helicopter noise is not just annoying — it’s detrimental to our health and our environment.”
Dubbed the “Stop the Chop Act,” the bill is the first in the state’s effort to reduce the impact of helicopters.
Helicopter-related noise complaints to 311 increased from 10,359 in 2020 to 25,821 in 2021 with a vast majority of the complaints coming from Manhattan. In the last five years, 311 saw a 2,329% increase in noise complaints related to choppers.
Noise pollution comes with a cost. It has been shown to have serious health effects, such as hearing loss, stress, memory impairment, high blood pressure, muscle tension, ulcers, fatigue, sleep problems, and can reduce cognitive ability in children and adults.
Along with noise pollution, helicopters are also a threat to the environment. One helicopter produces 43 times more CO2 per hour than an average car.
Under the Stop the Chop Act, use of the Hudson River Park heliport by helicopters and operators that engage in any prohibited type of flight for any reason will also be prohibited.
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