Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Legislation proposed in the New York City Council would eliminate “non-essential” helicopter flights from the two city-owned heliports&nbsp;in the Wall Street area and at East 34th&nbsp;Street. A related New York State bill that further increases pressure on helicopter operators is awaiting the signature of Governor Kathy Hochul. It would&nbsp;allow individual citizens to sue helicopter operators who “create an unreasonable level of sustained noise at ground level.”
Neither bill&nbsp;specifically mentions the eVTOL aircraft that could start entering service in major cities by 2024. However, the bipartisan&nbsp;political support assembled to back the legislation suggests that the industry has more work to do to convince some cities to accept the new mode of transportation and how it differs&nbsp;from existing rotorcraft services in terms of noise.
The New York City legislation has been advanced by a group called <a href="https://stopthechopnynj.org/">Stop the Chop NY/NJ</a>, which is looking to ban large numbers of helicopter flights across the wider metropolitan area. The legislation&nbsp;applies to “rotary-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing.” The only operations&nbsp;defined as essential, and therefore permissible, would be those by the U.S. military, fire departments, emergency services, police, and newsgathering organizations. 
Evidently, private sightseeing charters and air taxi services would not be permitted. The group did not respond to a request&nbsp;from FutureFlight to clarify whether eVTOL aircraft would be exempt from the restrictions.
The New York State legislation, which&nbsp;both houses of the legislature approved in late May, also amends the Hudson River Park Act to ban non-essential helicopter traffic from the park. The West 30th&nbsp;Street heliport is owned by&nbsp;the state via the Hudson River Park Trust and the legislation amends the New York City charter to prohibit the city from entering into concession agreements that allow for non-essential use of the city’s heliports.
Under the state bill, “non-essential” flights are defined as anything other than for public health and safety, law enforcement, emergency response, disaster response, heavy lifting for construction, research, or newsgathering. The bill would apply to all tourism&nbsp;flights;&nbsp;photo flights not conducted by a licensed television, film, or production company;&nbsp;and helicopters adhering to routes preapproved by the FAA. It would take effect&nbsp;30 days after it receives Hochul's signature.&nbsp;
The New York City legislation was put before the council weeks after the city’s Economic Development Corp. issued a&nbsp;request for proposal&nbsp;for a new operator bid for the Wall Street heliport as the current lease, with Saker Aviation, will soon expire. Saker noted in its most recent 10-K form filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that demand for sightseeing flights from Wall Street from July 2020 through April 2022 has been "much lower" than before.
In the early stages of eVTOL operations, the all-electric aircraft are expected to use current heliports. However, plans are being developed for dedicated vertiports&nbsp;that could be part of existing buildings, such as parking lots.

Charles Alcock

Developers of new eVTOL aircraft like Eve view major cities like New York as ideal markets and say they will operate far more quietly than existing helicopters. (Image: Eve)

New York Helicopter Bans Raise Questions about eVTOL Operations

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