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

• H.R. 5049
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Study on helicopter operations

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.
• (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).