Brooklyn, NY – Residents Angry Over Nonstop Buzzing from Noisy Helicopters Hovering Above

Brooklyn, NY – There’s a nonstop buzz over Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO — an around-the-clock air assault by noisy helicopters flying over the East River, angry residents say.

While helicopter traffic has previously been an on-again, off-again issue for decades along the northwest Brooklyn waterfront and other parts of the Big Apple, longtime residents of both tony neighborhoods said it’s never been the type of roof-rattling nightmare they’ve experienced in the past few months.

Many are blaming it on lax federal aviation regulations, coupled with increases in helicopters flying Manhattan tourists along the river and Hollywood movie crews shooting by the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.

“The noise bounces off our high-rise buildings and vibrates the entire neighborhood – even late at night. It seems to never stop,” said Gus Sheha, president of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association.

Vicky Cameron, an architect who operates out of her Brooklyn Heights apartment, says the noise is so bad – especially between 9 am and 6 pm – that she has difficultly working and can’t even enjoy her terrace overlooking the Brooklyn Promenade.

“It feels like Brooklyn is under attack. The noise and rattling is such a distraction that I can’t read or talk sometimes,” Cameron, 47, said. “And when the president is in town, forget it!”

Residents attribute most of the noise problems to helicopters going to and from the city-owned Downtown heliport on Wall Street, which is directly across the East River and best known for providing shuttle service to local airports.

Helicopter buzzing has long been a huge complaint of Upper West Siders living near the Midtown heliport on W. 30th Street off the Hudson River.

Part of the problem is that while helicopter pilots get recommended routes to follow, federal laws are lax and do little to prevent pilots from looping too close to residential neighborhoods, critics say.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), said he’s working with the Federal Aviation Administration, the city and helicopter industry to devise a nationwide plan to mitigate the effect on residents who live next to helicopter airspace without harming the industry. He said he’d introduce legislation if necessary.

The Downtown heliport had been run by the Port Authority until the city had a private company, First Flight, take it over in November. Another city-owned heliport on the end of East 34th Street and is also a target of Brooklyn complaints.

City officials said their hands are tied because they can only control takeoffs and landings at city heliports.
“We’re working with the FAA, the industry, and community groups to pursue alternate options that will allow us to address the issue of helicopter noise in areas like Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO,” said David Lombino, a city spokesman.

The news can’t come quick enough for Eileen Dirnseld, 74, who has lived in Brooklyn Heights for three decades.
“I live in the Heights for the peace and tranquility and to get away from the noise of Manhattan, but the banging, buzzing noise from the helicopters has been dreadful lately – especially by the Promenade,” she said.