TESTIMONY
Daniel Wiley, Representative from the Office of Congresswoman Nydia M. Velasquez, on Regulating Non-Essential Helicopter Traffic in New York City
1:32:00
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132 sec
Daniel Wiley delivers testimony from Congresswoman Nydia M. Velasquez's office on the issue of regulating non-essential helicopter traffic in New York City.
- He expresses concern over the lack of regulation and oversight of helicopter traffic, leading to safety risks and decreased quality of life due to noise pollution.
- He cites specific issues like the absence of minimum altitude requirements, radar tracking, and the uncontrolled nature of urban airspace.
- He mentions the negative impact on constituents, especially those living near waterfronts and commuter routes, due to persistent helicopter noise.
- He voices support for HR 7753, the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, and local efforts to restrict non-essential helicopter flights at city-owned heliports.
- He emphasizes the commitment to addressing this issue for the safety and quality of life of New Yorkers.
Daniel Wiley
1:32:00
I'm from congresswoman Nadia M Velasquez's office, and I'll read a a brief statement from her.
1:32:09
Over the years, I've come to the inescapable conclusion that unnecessary helicopter traffic is simply a poor fit for New York City, one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas.
1:32:21
There have been too many helicopter crashes in New York City.
1:32:24
Think of this right now No one, not the FIA, not anyone else is actually regulating helicopter traffic above New York City.
1:32:34
There's no minimum altitude.
1:32:36
There's no radar tracking the air of the aircraft.
1:32:39
It's essentially the wild, wild west of urban airspace.
1:32:44
Not only is this about safety, but it's also about the quality of life.
1:32:48
For many of us, especially my neighbors living on the waterfront, and along commuter routes.
1:32:54
Helicopter noise is a persistent problem.
1:32:57
The sound echoes.
1:32:58
These flights generate an amount of noise that greatly reduces the quality of life for many New Yorkers.
1:33:05
This includes those in my district from Queens to Brooklyn.
1:33:09
The helicopters crowd the skies to a dangerous level as we've seen result in multiple track tragic accidents over the years.
1:33:18
In Congress, we brought renewed efforts to address this issue for the sake of all who call our great city home.
1:33:25
That is why I am an original co sponsor of HR 7753, protecting communities from helicopter noise act.
1:33:34
I support local efforts to restrict nonessential helicopter traffic, and I'm proud to to support the bill before the city council to halt nonessential helicopter flights at the 2 city owned heliports and eliminate tens of thousands of unnecessary flights.
1:33:53
I support this and other bills to protect our community and restore the quality of life and reduce noise pollution.
1:33:59
Enough is enough.
1:34:01
My colleagues and I together will continue to fight for the day when the safety and quality of life in New Yorkers will not be put at risk for the sake of profit.
1:34:11
Thank you.