Ryder Cup helicopter noise was an issue

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo credit: Brandon Nickerson

Social media lit up last week with complaints about helicopter noise as wealthy golf enthusiasts used 15 helipads set up by Joby Aviation to shuttle in and out of the Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, Long Island. The Daily Mail reported that Joby was charging $1,250 per flight, though it’s not clear if that was round trip or one way. About 3,000 attendees were estimated to be willing to pay that for the privilege of avoiding highway and street traffic.

The helicopters flew over Brooklyn neighborhoods about every five minutes for several days. One person who lives in Brooklyn reported that her friends’ wedding was disrupted when the happy couple had to wait to say their vows while a noisy helicopter flew overhead.

It’s long past time for the public, who pays the price for noise and air pollution from helicopter travel, to demand limits or even bans on unnecessary helicopter overflights. Helicopter noise is uniquely bothersome due to the frequency bands produced, the impulse nature of the noise and the rotatory nature of the blades, which gives the noise directionality.

The air space belongs to the public and to the people on the ground, not to those with enough money to fly over them. Noise disrupts sleep, disrupts concentration, interferes with learning and causes stress. If enough citizens contact their elected officials to complain about helicopter noise, restrictions can be placed on unnecessary helicopter flights. 

Quieter skies free of unnecessary helicopter flights, as part of a quieter world, will be better and healthier for all.