citymeetings.nyc

Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.

TESTIMONY

Stan O'Connor, Licensed Tour Guide, on the Economic Impact of Helicopter Tours Compared to Walking Tours

3:34:20

·

133 sec

Video Player is loading.

Current TimeÂ 0:00

DurationÂ 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream TypeÂ LIVE

Remaining TimeÂ 0:00

Â

O'Connor argues that helicopter tours have a negative economic impact compared to walking tours conducted by licensed guides.

There are almost 10,000 licensed tour guides in NYC who provide walking tours and bring visitors to local businesses
Helicopter tour customers only spend money on a 30-minute flight that creates noise pollution
Proposed restrictions on helicopter tours would protect the livelihoods of tour guides who were operating before helicopter tours
Tour guides help distribute tourism income throughout the city by bringing visitors to various neighborhoods and businesses

Stan O'Connor

3:34:20

Hello.

3:34:22

Majority later.

3:34:25

I'm my name is Stan O'Connor.

3:34:27

I'm a licensed tour guide.

3:34:29

We 10,000 guides.

3:34:32

There are almost 10,000 licensed guides.

3:34:37

Lose money every time 4 passengers paying $250 each.

3:34:43

Take off for a 30 minute flight.

3:34:45

I would be happy to give a half day tour for $250, but those people go up in the air.

3:34:52

We guides provide real walking tours in which we take people to museums.

3:34:57

Here's my AMNH membership card.

3:35:00

Restaurants, bars, stores aren't customers spend money in the city.

3:35:05

Tourcopter customers spend money on a 30 minute view that creates noise over the head of millions.

3:35:11

When the helicopter operators cry about a coming loss of jobs to a 175 workers, please remember that they are endangering the line lihards of 10,000 tour guides, and we were here first.

3:35:26

Economic to bill and should support and promote real tours with real guides because we want tourism income to be distributed throughout the city.

3:35:36

There's a YouTube video that that documents Fort Triumph Park Overflights at 1 every 2 minutes.

3:35:44

The official earlier mentioned that the FAA rules supersede any possible city rules, copiers at downtown teleport are refueled in a manner that's against FAA rules, and apparently nobody checks.

3:35:56

Normally, aircraft engines are to shut off while refueling just as you shut up your car at the gas station.

3:36:02

Hot refueling with the engine running is against the rules.

3:36:06

The FAA says to avoid hot refueling except when, quote, operationally necessary, such as in a medevac situation in which many emergency flights are needed.

3:36:16

At Pier 6, they do it all the time.

3:36:18

I have photos.

3:36:20

Hot refueling saves time, which increases the number of flights.

3:36:24

This is a tourist flight assembly line that could turn into a fireball.

3:36:29

Thank you.

3:36:33

Thanks.

← Previous Chapter

Judy Mann, Volunteer Tour Guide on the Impact of Tourist Helicopter Noise on Governors Island

Next Chapter →

Peter Maloney, Member of the Public on Non-Essential Commuter Helicopter Flights Over Residential Areas of New York City