World Trade Center records folder, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

EASTERN REGION

HELICOPTER COUNCIL ic.

September 26, 2001

Mr. Steven J. Brown Associate Administrator - FAA Air Traffic Services 800 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20591

REF: AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS NEW YORK CITY HELIPORTS

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am respectfully submitting this correspondence on behalf of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, which is the trade association representing the helicopter and heliport operators within the New York Metropolitan area, and adjacent Northeast Corridor.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, a number of our members were flying in the skies over New York City, performing their normal missions, which include Corporate transport, Commercial Charter, Electronic News Gathering, cargo and financial document transport, tour operations, Emergency Medical Transport and Law Enforcement, to name a few. Some of these flight crews watched in horror, as they witnessed U.S. commercial airliners impact the World Trade Center, and the devastation that followed.

In the hours and days following the terrorist attacks, our members made their aircraft available, to assist in the rescue efforts in any way possible. A number of them transported victims, rescue workers, and medical personnel, as well as much needed supplies. At the same time, dozens of other helicopters, operated by our members, were on standby at staging areas, ready to respond if needed.

Also among our membership are the FBO companies that operate the three (3) New York City heliports in Manhattan, two of which are located on the East River at East 3Vh Street 30th Street. From the and Wall Street respectively, and one located on the Hudson River at West time of the attacks on the World Trade Center, until today, the FBO's have kept their heliports open and staffed, for the use of aircraft involved in the relief effort and security operations, as well as providing helicopter access to Manhattan for elected officials and staff of various government agencies.

30 VALLEY LANE, CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK 10514 845-353-6050 - ERHCNY JAOL.COM

NYC-WTC 000136534