Rep. Menendez Renews Push to Curb Helicopter Traffic

Following a fatal helicopter crash in the Hudson River earlier this year, U.S. Representative Rob Menendez (D-NJ) has reintroduced legislation calling for greater federal oversight of helicopter activity in the New York–New Jersey metropolitan area.

The Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, introduced this week, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the safety and noise impact of helicopter operations within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. The bill instructs the FAA to consider solutions to divert non-essential helicopter traffic away from densely populated residential and recreational areas.

“It is impossible to ignore the detrimental effects that helicopter noise has on our community and the broader region,” said Menendez. “I’ve heard from constituents in Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and beyond whose quality of life is severely impacted by non-essential helicopters. The tragic crash of a tourism helicopter in the Hudson River just a few months ago makes it clear that this is a safety issue as well.”

The April 2025 crash resulted in one fatality and reignited demands from residents and officials for stricter controls on sightseeing flights over Hudson County. Menendez has emerged as one of the region’s leading advocates for helicopter regulation, having introduced multiple bills addressing both safety and quality-of-life concerns.

Earlier this year, Menendez introduced the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which would ban all non-essential helicopter flights within the same 20-mile radius. He has also led congressional letters to the Department of Transportation and FAA urging comprehensive action and convened a helicopter noise workshop in Jersey City in 2024.

Hudson County officials have echoed Menendez’s concerns. County Executive Craig Guy and Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle recently negotiated with HHI Heliport to limit flight hours and reroute aircraft away from residential zones. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has also taken legal steps, announcing a lawsuit against the FAA for failing to curb non-essential helicopter activity.

Menendez’s legislation marks the latest step in a growing regional push to address concerns over helicopter noise and public safety.