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This bill would prohibit sightseeing helicopters from taking off and landing at heliports owned by the city if those helicopters do not meet the stage 3 noise levels for helicopters as determined by the Federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.

  • Filed (End of Session)

History

City Council
Filed (End of Session)
Committee on Environmental Protection
Hearing Held by Committee
Committee on Environmental Protection
Laid Over by Committee
City Council
Referred to Comm by Council
City Council
Introduced by Council

Int. No. 859

 

By Council Members Menchaca, Rosenthal, Chin, Mendez, Rose, Lander, Reynoso, Levin and the Public Advocate (Ms. James)

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing noise caused by sightseeing helicopters.

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 6 of chapter 2 of title 24 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 24-244.1 to read as follows:

§ 24-244.1 Sightseeing helicopters. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section:

Chartered helicopter. The term “chartered helicopter” means a helicopter that is leased in its entirety for exclusive and temporary use, and not for the purpose of conducting sightseeing tours.

Sightseeing helicopter. The term “sightseeing helicopter” means a helicopter that is operated primarily for the purpose of conducting regular aviation tours along flight routes approved by the federal aviation administration. The term “sightseeing helicopter” shall not include private helicopters, chartered helicopters, military helicopters, media helicopters or helicopters used by the fire department, police department, coast guard or emergency services.

Stage 1 noise level. The term “stage 1 noise level” means stage 1 noise level as such term is defined by subsection (h) of section 36.1 of title 14 of the code of federal regulations.

Stage 2 noise level. The term “stage 2 noise level” means stage 2 noise level as such term is defined by subsection (h) of section 36.1 of title 14 of the code of federal regulations.

b. No person shall use or permit the use of any sightseeing helicopter that meets stage 1 noise levels or stage 2 noise levels to take off or land from any property owned or managed by the city of New York, except in emergency situations or as otherwise directed by an aviation control tower or air traffic control center.

§ 2. Table I following paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of section 24-257 of the administrative code of the city of New York as amended by local law number 153 for the year 2013 is amended by adding a new row immediately following row 24-244 to read as follows:

24-244.1

1,500

500

3,000

1,000

4,500

1,500

 

§ 3. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

 

 

ARP

LS # 1976/3145.1

5/28/2015 6:08 PM