Non-Essential Helicopters and the Park experience
As the nonprofit that cares for, preserves, and celebrates Central Park, the Central Park Conservancy recognizes the negative impact of non-essential helicopters on the Park experience and continues to raise awareness about prohibiting non-essential helicopter travel in New York City.
Central Park is a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, designed for people to relax and enjoy the restorative power of nature. The increasing number of loud, low-flying and non-essential helicopters traversing above Central Park contributes to environmental pollution, poses a needless safety risk, and disrupts the Park experience for visitors and wildlife on a daily basis.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates commercial helicopters, which means that changing rules to decrease the amount of non-essential helicopters flying over the Park requires action on the federal level. The Conservancy supports the "Improving Helicopter Safety Act," H.R. 1643, a federal bill introduced by local Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, and Nydia Velazquez that would prohibit non-essential helicopter travel over large cities such as New York.
We are also enormously grateful for the leadership of City Councilwoman Gale Brewer on this issue, who has worked tirelessly over the years to convene leaders from both New York and New Jersey to limit non-essential flights over our region.
It’s a community effort to care for and advocate for Central Park. Here are some resources and steps you can take to raise awareness:
- Call or visit 311 to file a helicopter noise complaint with either the Federal Aviation Administration or the City’s Economic Development Corporation.
- Get involved with Stop the Chop NY/NJ and consider signing the group’s petition.
- Register your concern by calling the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, an industry trade group, by calling their complaint hotline at 1-800-319-7410.