Lawmakers, residents demand helicopter ban after relentless $1,275-a-seat flights to Ryder Cup torment Brooklyn

Brooklyn was thrown into chaos during the Ryder Cup!

The borough experienced relentless disturbances from $1,275-a-ticket charter flights transporting affluent golf enthusiasts to Long Island. Local politicians are now advocating for a complete prohibition of these exclusive, low-flying aircraft.

These expensive flights not only rattled residents awake but lingered long enough for them to observe the preppy passengers taking selfies inside, as reported in a letter from representatives of northwestern Brooklyn.

“Residents struggled to work, relax, rest, or spend time outside due to the unending noise and vibrations from these flights,” expressed Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, alongside City Councilmembers Shahana Hanif and Lincoln Restler, state Senator Andrew Gounardes, and US Representative Dan Goldman.

“The community should not have to endure constant noise pollution so that those chartering helicopter flights can bypass traffic and public transit. These companies are violating regulations and catering to a select few wealthy individuals at the cost of everyone else’s well-being and quality of life.”

While loud helicopter activity is not new to Brooklyn residents, the disturbance escalated over the three-day event last month at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale as golf fans took to the skies to avoid heavy ground traffic.

The situation became so intense that some locals called the police out of fear that something dreadful was happening in the skies, neighbors reported.

“Many residents compared it to waking up and believing there was a military operation. The swarm of helicopters is frightening in today’s climate,” remarked Briana Aguilar-Austin, who endured three nights of torment in Boreum Hill.

The five elected officials collectively received over 500 complaints throughout the three-day event, with neighbors describing the disturbance as “the talk of the town.”

Flight data revealed that most helicopter rides originated from the Downtown Manhattan and West 30th Street heliports, the latter being the base for Blade, a luxury helicopter charter service known for catering to celebrities like Andy Cohen and Jon Hamm.

Blade appeared to be orchestrating what Aguilar-Austin termed a “military-style” helicopter operation — the company claimed to Vertical Magazine that it was managing “one of the largest civilian helicopter movements for a sporting event in U.S. history,” charging $1,275 for a one-way seat.

Blade did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

This issue extends beyond just noise pollution, Aguilar-Austin emphasized, referring to a tragic crash last spring that took the lives of a family and their pilot when a malfunctioning helicopter went down in the Hudson River.

“What would happen if there’s a mechanical failure over downtown Brooklyn?” she asked.

“For the benefit of a privileged few, tens of thousands of New Yorkers had their lives disrupted, and Blade seemed indifferent to the chaos they created,” she continued.

“What we witnessed was the affluent treating our city like their private playground, impacting literally tens of thousands of New Yorkers.”

The local leaders called on the city’s Economic Development Corporation and the Hudson River Park Trust, which oversee the heliports, to halt all non-essential helicopter flights to protect local residents.

However, the EDC noted that its Downtown Manhattan heliport is for public use and does not require prior authorization, emphasizing that the Federal Aviation Administration governs the airspace.

“As the manager of the city-owned public-use heliports, EDC is unable to impose restrictions on ‘types’ of flights or aircraft that land at Downtown Skyport or East 34th Street. The FAA controls the airspace and complies with federal regulations and applicable case law,” commented a spokesperson to The Post.

“NYCEDC is committed to a future of air travel that prioritizes quiet and clean operations. We have made significant investments to upgrade and electrify City-owned heliports to promote the transition to eVTOL aircraft that will enhance the quality of life for New Yorkers — from reducing noise to improving air quality.”

The Hudson River Park Trust acknowledged that it was reviewing the disturbances reported from its West 30th Street location, but did not commit to restricting or banning future flights.

“The Trust is in the process of gathering information requested by the elected officials who contacted us regarding disturbances to Brooklyn residents during the Ryder Cup. Only the FAA possesses the authority to dictate flight paths. Historically, the Trust has adhered to positions established by the State and City regarding the need for a west side heliport for transportation, and tourism flights are already restricted from launching or landing here,” a spokesperson stated.

“We remain dedicated to collaborating with the community, our elected officials, and the heliport operator on operational concerns while also engaging with the State and City regarding long-term planning considerations.”

The FAA was unable to provide comments due to a government shutdown.