Thoughts on NY state bill

[Dmcvey]

I got this from the NBAA: "Senate Bill S7493A would allow anyone to sue a pilot, flight department, line service personnel, or company employee for alleged rotorcraft noise pollution by a flight operation in the state of New York, even if the operation complied with federal law and regulations."

While it seems aimed at tourist helicopters in NYC part of the bill reads:

S7493A (ACTIVE) - SUMMARY​

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such rotorcraft in such manner; relates to the use of certain heliports in the city of New York.

"§ 11-108. COMPENSATION FOR NOISE POLLUTION BY ROTORCRAFT. 1. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ROTORCRAFT" MEANS AN AIRCRAFT WHOSE LIFT IS
DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM ROTATING AIRFOILS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
A HELICOPTER."

Full bill:

NY State Senate Bill 2021-S7493A

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such...

www.nysenate.gov

Thoughts? The wording seems vague enough that it could rope in UAS easily.

 

[DARKSeifer]

<900g drones in urban environment can't be heard at all due to the background noise, so I don't think this will have any impact on the drone community.

 

[Aerophile]

Hilarious. Good luck with that one.

 

[orionshooter]

I got this from the NBAA: "Senate Bill S7493A would allow anyone to sue a pilot, flight department, line service personnel, or company employee for alleged rotorcraft noise pollution by a flight operation in the state of New York, even if the operation complied with federal law and regulations."

While it seems aimed at tourist helicopters in NYC part of the bill reads:

S7493A (ACTIVE) - SUMMARY​

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such rotorcraft in such manner; relates to the use of certain heliports in the city of New York.

"§ 11-108. COMPENSATION FOR NOISE POLLUTION BY ROTORCRAFT. 1. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ROTORCRAFT" MEANS AN AIRCRAFT WHOSE LIFT IS
DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM ROTATING AIRFOILS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
A HELICOPTER."

Full bill:

NY State Senate Bill 2021-S7493A

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such...

www.nysenate.gov

Thoughts?

 

[JC in New Hampshire]

This is representative of just one of the many reasons why I fled New York for the Live Free or Die state of New Hampshire. The fact that NY calls itself the "Empire State" pretty much says it all.

 

[orionshooter]

It will be interesting to see if the proposed legislation creates a remedy as in civil fines or specific liquidated damages. Otherwise, a plaintiff would be required to prove damages which could be extremely difficult in a drone related situation.

 

[66427cobra]

<900g drones in urban environment can't be heard at all due to the background noise, so I don't think this will have any impact on the drone community.

You can sue anyone for anything...especially when there is a law allowing it and does not define an "unreasonable level of noise". Even if they lose you still have to pay your lawyer.

Take for example the woman who is suing Kraft for $5 million because the directions on their microwaveable mac and cheese are misleading. She says the "ready in 3 1/2 min" statement doesn't include the time required to open the package, add water and stir.

South Florida woman sues Kraft, claims mac and cheese instructions are misleading - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

(WSVN) - A South Florida woman is boiling over the instructions to cook her macaroni and cheese. Amanda Ramirez filed a $5 million lawsuit against<a class="excerpt-read-more"...

wsvn.com

 

[spamgnome]

You can sue anyone for anything...especially when there is a law allowing it and does not define an "unreasonable level of noise". Even if they lose you still have to pay your lawyer.

Take for example the woman who is suing Kraft for $5 million because the directions on their microwaveable mac and cheese are misleading. She says the "ready in 3 1/2 min" statement doesn't include the time required to open the package, add water and stir.

South Florida woman sues Kraft, claims mac and cheese instructions are misleading - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

(WSVN) - A South Florida woman is boiling over the instructions to cook her macaroni and cheese. Amanda Ramirez filed a $5 million lawsuit against<a class="excerpt-read-more"...

wsvn.com

That was my first reaction, too. Why is a law needed to provide for something that already exists? (i.e., ability to sue)

 

[Nanny Ogg]

I got this from the NBAA: "Senate Bill S7493A would allow anyone to sue a pilot, flight department, line service personnel, or company employee for alleged rotorcraft noise pollution by a flight operation in the state of New York, even if the operation complied with federal law and regulations."

While it seems aimed at tourist helicopters in NYC part of the bill reads:

S7493A (ACTIVE) - SUMMARY​

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such rotorcraft in such manner; relates to the use of certain heliports in the city of New York.

"§ 11-108. COMPENSATION FOR NOISE POLLUTION BY ROTORCRAFT. 1. FOR THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ROTORCRAFT" MEANS AN AIRCRAFT WHOSE LIFT IS
DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM ROTATING AIRFOILS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
A HELICOPTER."

Full bill:

NY State Senate Bill 2021-S7493A

Allows a person who has suffered interference with the use and enjoyment of private property or public parkland by a rotorcraft used in a manner that creates an unreasonable level of noise at ground level to have a right of action against a person who caused or contributed to the use of such...

www.nysenate.gov

Thoughts? The wording seems vague enough that it could rope in UAS easily.

This bill should be expanded to include leaf blowers and motorcycles. No one can hear a drone when there is a Harley or a leaf blower in the neighborhood.

 

[Meta4]

Thoughts? The wording seems vague enough that it could rope in UAS easily.

Read the actual bill.
It's all about real, actual helicopter flights.
It's not going to affect anyone's drone flying.

 

[Aerophile]

Read the actual bill.
It's all about real, actual helicopter flights.
It's not going to affect anyone's drone flying.

Nor anyone's actual helicopter flying, either.