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NYC helicopter foes hope to force industry to buy electric choppers in 2025
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Rosemary Misdary
Published Dec 24, 2024
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Ramsey Khalifeh
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Rosemary Misdary
Published Dec 24, 2024
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Opponents of commercial helicopters in New York City hope 2025 could yield a breakthrough in their yearslong battle against noise pollution through a City Council bill that would require commercial chopper companies to go electric.
City councilmembers are currently negotiating the final language of the legislation in committee, with the expectation it could go to a full Council vote early next year. If it's passed, a ban on commercial gas-guzzling helicopters would go into effect at the city’s three public heliports on Jan. 1, 2029, or six months after the Federal Aviation Administration certifies electric aircraft, which is projected as soon as 2026. The bill has 17 sponsors, just nine shy of the majority needed for passage.
The proposed legislation defines essential helicopter traffic as being for military, medical, emergency services, police or news purposes. If the bill passes, nonessential helicopter travel by commuters and tourists would have to take place in electric choppers, which on average are 20-25 decibels quieter than standard gas-powered models, according to electric helicopter manufacturer Joby Aviation.
“Helicopters are a major contributor to air pollution, which can lead to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation,” Councilmember Amanda Farias said. “Moving towards electric helicopters aligns with New York City's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and also just generally around achieving our green economy and climate goals here in the city.”
Preparation for the shift to electric helicopters is already getting underway at the city’s downtown heliport. The city’s Economic Development Corporation, which oversees the site, announced earlier this month that it had chosen a new operator for the heliport that specializes in “electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.”
For Kenneth Lay, a Carroll Gardens resident and board member of the advocacy group Stop the Chop, relief can’t come soon enough. He says he’s bothered daily by Blade helicopters taking off from South Street Seaport. The company offers short-distance flights .
“I call them my alarm clock now because I'm woken up at 7 a.m. by a Blade [helicopter] and it is so loud,” Lay said. “One has been so low that my dishes are rattling off of the table. I have cats and they run and hide.”
Blade said it plans to transition to electric helicopters, but took issue with the timeline proposed in the Council bill. Two other major helicopter operators in the city did not respond to inquiries.
Over the last three years, noise complaints to 311 about helicopters have increased more than fivefold. Last year alone, there were more than 59,000 noise complaints about helicopters. In 2020, there were 10,359 complaints filed.
Choppers create more than noise pollution. A single hovering helicopter is equal in carbon emissions to 40 cars on the road, according to Farias.
“Helicopters idling in our skies contribute massively to the noise pollution and air quality concerns that New Yorkers have,” Farias said.
A rendering of an electric helicopter approaching the downtown heliport.
Downtown Skyport
New York City’s three public heliports are all in Manhattan — West 30th Street at the Hudson River, and East 34th Street and Pier 6 on the East River. The downtown heliport is authorized for 30,000 tourist flights every year, or more than 80 per day, according to the city’s Economic Development Corporation. Over the course of the day, that comes out to at least one helicopter departing or landing every nine minutes.
A Bell 407 helicopter, a gas-powered chopper in Blade’s fleet that is a common choice for tourist and charter flights, is around 100 decibels at a distance of 100 feet at takeoff, according to a study of choppers at Grand Canyon National Park. Long or repeated exposure to noise 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss, according to the National Institute of Health. The institute recommends hearing protection at that volume. According to Joby, an electric chopper reaches 45 decibels.
“Noise is not just unwanted, unnecessary, intrusive sound,” said Arline Bronzaft, environmental psychologist and professor emeritus at the City University of New York. “We also know that it is linked to health effects.”
The state’s climate law notes that helicopters are among "the most polluting, carbon-intense modes of transport." The Bell 407 helicopter burns 43 gallons of standard jet fuel per hour, which produces 540 pounds of carbon dioxide hourly, according to its manufacturer. At that rate, a one-way trip from New York City to the Hamptons pumps just over 400 pounds of carbon into the air — about the same weight as two panda bears.
Helicopters are also less fuel-efficient than planes because rotor blades require more energy than fixed wings.
Blade said in a statement that it plans to transition its fleet to electrical aircraft, but that the bill “sets forth impossible expectations.” The company said it's waiting on FAA certification for electric helicopters, which will come in late 2026 at the earliest. Two tour companies, FlyNYON and HeliNY, did not return requests for comment.
“We remain committed to a full transition from helicopters to electric aircraft as soon as they are certified, deemed safe and reliable, and available for purchase by our operating partners,” Rob Wiesenthal, founder and CEO of Blade, wrote in an email. “Until then, we will continue working with local stakeholders to reduce noise impact by managing flight routes and altitudes to maximize flight time over water.”
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Health and Science
Rosemary Misdary
Rosemary is health & science reporter. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 646-544-9524.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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