H.R. 5049
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study on the operation of helicopters within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · August 26, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Menendez · Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act.
SEC. 2. Study on helicopter operations
- (a) In general
- The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct a study on helicopter operations within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
- (b) Contents
- In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Administrator shall focus on the following items:
- The effect of persistent helicopter noise on residential and recreational areas, including—
- an analysis of the volume of helicopter traffic, including the time helicopters are flying and the frequency of helicopters traversing the airspace;
- an analysis of noise levels related to helicopter operations;
- an analysis of safety, health, environmental, and economic issues related to helicopter operations;
- an analysis of whether helicopters are following the terms and conditions of voluntary agreements, including the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Governors Island National Monument Voluntary Agreement;
- an analysis of the origination of helicopters traversing the airspace within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument;
- an analysis of the necessity of helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument;
- an analysis of how helicopters contribute to the congestion of the airspace within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty;
- an projection of how electric vertical take off and landing aircraft or other advanced air mobility technologies will contribute to the congestion, noise, and safety of the airspace within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty;
- an analysis of the quality of life of residents living in areas with high volumes of helicopter noise; and
- an analysis of any other issue related to helicopter traffic on residential and recreational areas.
- Solutions to abate or eliminate helicopter noise on residential and recreational areas, including—
- the feasibility of diverting helicopters from residential and recreational areas;
- the feasibility of creating new flight paths for helicopters, with attention to the presence of airports within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument;
- an analysis of whether banning nonessential helicopters within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty will increase the overall safety, health, and environment of the community;
- the feasibility of establishing altitude limits for helicopter operations in and around within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument; and
- other options for abating helicopter noise.
- The effect of persistent helicopter noise on residential and recreational areas, including—
- In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Administrator shall focus on the following items:
- (c) Report
- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the study under subsection (a).