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Q&A
Council Member Restler and President Kimball debate helicopter issues and electric alternatives
1:02:29
·
165 sec
Council Member Lincoln Restler raises concerns about helicopter noise and environmental disruptions in Lower Manhattan, while President Andrew Kimball discusses the potential for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) as a solution.
- Restler expresses skepticism about the viability of electric helicopters at the Lower Manhattan Helipad due to wind conditions.
- Kimball confirms that EDC has tested eVTOLs and believes they can be transformational in reducing noise and environmental impact.
- Restler remains cautious about the timeline for implementing electric helicopters and emphasizes the current negative impacts of traditional helicopters on local communities.
Lincoln Restler
1:02:29
And then last thing I want to ask about is probably the topic that we agree on the least, which is helicopters.
1:02:38
So as you know, my constituents hate all of the helicopters, and and the chair knows very well, that, you know, pervade our community and cause enormous noise and environmental disruptions.
1:02:51
We've been increasingly looking at analyses that have been shared with our office that do not believe that the Lower Manhattan Helipad will be able to accommodate electric helicopters because of the intensity of the wind in that area.
1:03:07
Is this something that you all have looked at?
1:03:09
Do you think that electric helicopters are a viable solution at that site, or is this on your radar?
Andrew Kimball
1:03:15
Absolutely.
1:03:15
And and we tested it.
1:03:17
Over a year ago, we had two different eVTOLs do a test flight and fly in the harbor between Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island and Downtown Manhattan, teleport.
1:03:31
So absolutely, we think that EV tolls can be transformational in terms of the experience for New Yorkers.
1:03:39
They are incredibly quiet, and we're very aware, that New Yorkers, do not appreciate the ambient sound from from helicopters.
1:03:49
So we are working very hard to address that.
1:03:54
The eVTOL charging equipment will be in place thanks to investments from our new operator.
1:04:01
So that the minute that the FAA approves the use of EV tolls, we expect will be within the next two years, they will be ready to begin to implement.
Lincoln Restler
1:04:12
I will conclude, but I will just say I feel like the timeline on these magical electric helicopters has been sliding for I don't know how long.
1:04:20
But I imagine we'll get there someday.
1:04:23
I will say and I think the chair has been a great leader here that they have the promise of having dramatically less impacts, negative impacts on our communities.
1:04:34
The noise impacts are just so severe that people can't have a conversation while they sit on their stoop in their backyard in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
1:04:41
And the environmental impacts are are similarly just, you know, troubling.
1:04:45
You know, one helicopter idling is the equivalent of 40 cars.
1:04:49
And we just, I don't see why we facilitate it on city owned property so that tourists can get a view from Brooklyn Bridge Park from above.
1:04:57
It's perfectly pretty from from down below.
1:04:59
So I appreciate your pushing on the on the EV tolls.
1:05:05
I hope we can get there as quickly as possible, and I don't think we should have any of the the fossil fuel guzzling helicopters in the sky until we do.
1:05:12
So thank you.
Andrew Kimball
1:05:13
Thank you.
Amanda Farías
1:05:14
Thank you, council member.