Sustainability and Environment
New York Governor Urged To Veto Helicopter Noise Bill
New York's "Stop The Chop" act would unleash torrent of civil suits against helicopter operators.
Blade helicopters at heliport in NYC, one coming in for landing
The Helicopter Association International and NBAA are urging members to write to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urging a veto of the "Stop the Chop" act. (Photo: SnippyHolloW from New York, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The clock is running to thwart a potential law that could economically hamstring helicopter operators flying over New York. If enacted, the bill would allow the state attorney general and anyone else to sue a pilot, flight department, line service worker, or company employee for creating an “unreasonable level” of rotorcraft noise anywhere in the state—even if the flight operation complied with federal law and regulations. 

Under the bill, a suit could be brought even if flights do not originate or terminate in New York, as any overflight would qualify. It also prohibits the use of the West 30th Street heliport for sightseeing operations.

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