I've seen lots of Ospreys over NYC (don't ask) but never this low and
usually over Hudson.
@nyc311 didn't
issue any standard warnings of military overflights either, although that's
not uncommon.
— Peaceful Skies Coalition. (@BanTheHellies)
January 6, 2022
Three low flying military Osprey aircraft rattled buildings and nerves on
the UES Wednesday afternoon around 2:15 after flying low over buildings for
reasons we don’t yet know. We’ve reached out the NYPD, US Army and FAA for
info.
#UES#NYC
I'm so glad you got this picture. I was really wondering about these planes as
they flew by our place. What was particularly striking was that they were
clearly flying in close formation as your photo clearly shows
Primary function: Amphibious assault transport of troops, equipment and
supplies from assault ships and land bases.
Manufacturer: Bell Boeing
Description: The V-22 Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable,
medium lift, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor aircraft designed
for combat, combat support, combat service support, and Special Operations
missions worldwide. It will replace the Corps' aged fleet of CH-46E and CH-53D
medium lift helicopters.
Unit Replacement Cost: Unit Cost (FY05 $ TY Unit Recurring Flyaway Costs):
$71.3M
Mission: Marine Corps Assault Support...
Here's a closer look at the V 22 Osprey
and flying over the East River by downtown Manhattan during 2011 Fleet Week.
UPDATE 1/6/22 - Spotted today too.
Flew over Roosevelt Island East River a few minutes ago too
Roosevelt Island will the the site for a film shoot tomorrow that will include a low flying helicopter over the southern tip of Roosevelt Island landing on the Cornell Tech Campus. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised that a helicopter scene for an upcoming movie will be shot on Roosevelt Island’s Cornell Tech campus on Monday, July 8th between the hours of 6:00AM and 10:00AM. The north loop bus service will be closed during these times.
Since filming will take place solely on Cornell Tech property, RIOC has no jurisdiction to grant or deny the filming request. However, RIOC staff and PSD have insisted that the helicopter must approach the island from the southeast and only over water before it lands on the Cornell Tech campus. The helicopter will not fly anywhere near our residential buildings and no island operations – save for the temporary closure of the north loop – will be impacted during filming. PSD is working closely with the NYPD Aviation Unit and the FDNY, both of whom will be on the Island to make sure filming is conducted in a safe manner and with minimal inconvenience to Roosevelt Island residents.
In gratitude for the community's cooperation, the movie's producers will provide a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Truck with free ice cream at the Good Shepherd Plaza from 3PM-5PM.
If you have any questions, please contact PSD at 212-832-4545.
Paramount Pictures’ and Entertainment One’s CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG will be filming on the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island. Paramount has sought all of the requisite approvals and has taken safety precautions to land a helicopter as part of the filming during a small portion of a single day (July 8th). The studio has been working closely with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the aviation unit of the New York Police Department (NYPD) who will both be on site for the landing. The studio is also coordinating with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) and the Public Safety Department (PSD). The helicopter will fly in and out from the south and it will, at no point, be flying over the residential areas of the Island.
Walt Becker is directing Clifford the Big Red Dog, which stars Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall. This big, classic family film follows Emily Elizabeth who befriends Clifford as she’s trying to fit in at home and at school. He grows to a giant size and attracts the attention of a genetics company. Emily and her Uncle Casey have to fight the forces of greed as they go on the run across New York.
Here's the story of how Clifford The Big Red Dog got made.
Noise and potential safety issues from low flying helicopters and seaplanes has been a long standing complaint among some Roosevelt Island residents. During the recent June 13 Roosevelt Island Town Hall meeting with elected officials, a resident asked a staffer from Congresswoman Maloney's office what could be done to alleviate this problem. The staffer said that Congresswoman Maloney supports banning non-essential low flying helicopters over NYC. Here's the discussion.
Ms Maloney asked Mayor deBlasio to ban all non-esssential helicopter flights over NYC.
Last Friday, Roosevelt Island resident Katherine Yeske Taylor sent me this photo
taken by visitor Pablo Martin and reports:
Have you heard anything about the seemingly very near miss between a helicopter & the tram this week??
Another Roosevelt Island tipster took video of the helicopter and adds:
... video I shot starting at 8:34PM on Thursday, July 19th of a helicopter that was hovering very close to the tram and the Queensboro Bridge.
The start of the video shows the helicopter starting to move away from the bridge. Unfortunately, I... didn’t get a chance to shoot video of the helicopter that a few minutes earlier was flying much closer to passing tram cabins and the tram cables.
I was shocked that a helicopter got so close to the tram cabins and the cables, and have no idea if the helicopter was filming movie/TV footage, or if it was a military helicopter, or something else.
Click full screen icon on bottom right of video for better view.
According to a third Roosevelt Island resident who saw the low flying helicopter next to the Tram:
... it lasted almost an hour and was clearly co-ordinated with the Tram as they had an empty Tram moving back and forth in the middle of the ER several times. I was surprised they still had the southern Tram with passengers working. The Chopper had a big bulb photo thing up front which we could see moving to follow the empty Tram
The photo shows what I was screaming about for half an hour :..THE CABLES! ... Does that Chopper know those cables are there ....but his first several close-in passes there was no Tram in sight ... I understandably thought/feared he might not know the Tram even existed .... only after 20 - 30 minutes did it become clear the empty (Thank God) Tram came out and it was part of a planned event/show.
Another video of the helicopter seen very close to the Tram.
On a related note, during the June 28 Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting with elected officials (video of full meeting here), Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney talked about legislation to ban tourist helicopters
over Roosevelt Island.
UPDATE 3:55 PM - RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reports:
During the filming of “The Sun is Also a Star”, a helicopter was used for a scene at the Tram while the Tram cabin was in motion.
According to information provided by Leitner-Pomo, throughout the filming of this scene, communication was established between the Tram control room, the movie aerial coordinator and the helicopter pilot.
In order to take the Tram shot, the helicopter was hovering in the area at a safe distance with full understanding of the instructions from the Tram control room. The scene was recorded safely and completed without incident.
Breaking News: At least two people died in a helicopter crash in the East River off Manhattan. Divers were searching the frigid water. https://t.co/7pAVPsTYAc
Received text message from a Roosevelt Island resident this evening saying:
Have you seen the massive police and fire boat and helicopter activity on the north end of Roosevelt Island? 8 Boats responding, at least 2 helicopters. The entire FDR Northbound shut down.... Frogmen in the water.
Very frightening and tragic helicopter accident near Roosevelt Island.
According to the Twitterverse:
Scary. Helicopter just crashed into the East River up by 91st St on the Roosevelt Island side. Search light choppers & major action happening. Quick response my #NYC finest. Hope all are ok pic.twitter.com/C5d5gNu84a
.@NTSB says it is monitoring the helicopter crash in NYC’s East River. FAA says A Eurocopter AS350 went down in the East River near the northern end of Roosevelt Island at about 7 pm today. That type of chopper is one that is often used for sightseeing tours.
Witnesses say one person aboard helicopter that went down near Roosevelt Island, climbed out of the helicopter and used a raft to get to safety pic.twitter.com/vvAJeHLFAR
Two people from helicopter rushed on stretchers - one person can be seen getting active CPR. This is about two hours after helicopter crashed in east river. @FoxNewspic.twitter.com/SKrfgt4Qno
The passengers of the helicopter that crashed into New York's East River were tightly harnessed and had to be cut out by emergency responders. None of them survived. https://t.co/BQntwexcs9
Have you noticed low flying helicopters over Roosevelt Island, the East River and Long Island City recently? A Roosevelt Island resident shares this video from last night
What appears to be a search and rescue or an anti-terrorism drill has been going on for the second day in a row. This film was taken from the eastern coast of Roosevelt Island at around 10:30pm on Monday, August 13th 2013.
On Sunday afternoon, I noticed two helicopters flying together circling back and forth over Roosevelt Island and Long Island City just skimming the Riverwalk building rooftops.
You Tube video of helicopter flying over Roosevelt Island
Did you notice the low flying helicopter circling around Roosevelt Island late last night? This Roosevelt Islander did and asks:
Any idea why a helicopter is circling southtown rather low? It had its
lights on the Queensboro bridge for a while. Several weeks ago, there
were 2 helicopters (a blue one and and one with an interesting
instrument on the front) circling on a Saturday morning too.
At various times, I have noticed late night low flying helicopters circling Roosevelt Island shining high powered light beams at the Long Island City Ravenswoods Big Allis Power Plant across the East River.
Image from helicopter flying over Roosevelt Island from Viator
Were you wondering early yesterday evening around 5:30 PM , why a helicopter was swooping extremely low over Roosevelt Island, barely making it over the Riverwalk Building and hovering over the East River followed by NYPD Harbor Boats patrolling the area?
Investigation- Report of a person who may have jumped off of the 59th Street Bridge. PSD, NYPD, FDNY and Coast guard responded. A search was conducted with negative results.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
