End The “Free-Flying Corridor” Over East River
October 13th, 2006
An editorial in the New York Times points out that the crash of a small plane into a high rise, resulting in the death of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and his flight instructor, “laid bare a troubling situation unknown to most New Yorkers — a low-altitude, free-flying corridor over the northern stretch of the East River that many veteran small-plane pilots consider treacherous.”
Small aircraft flying below 1,100 feet –- well below commercial aircraft -– have not been required to notify air traffic controllers. The Times advocates changing this policy, though leaves open the possibility that it can be persuaded otherwise: “The most compelling argument is that closer tracking of all low-altitude fliers would greatly increase the tasks of the already burdened air traffic system, requiring more controllers and better radar equipment. But the answer is clearly to upgrade the system, not reduce precautions.”
An editorial in the New York Post entitled No-Fly: No-Brainer goes further, calling for an outright ban on “casual small-plane traffic” over the city.
By Jonathan Mandell on October 13, 2006, 7:21 amIn category: Gotham City, Transportation | 1 Comment »


October 14th, 2006 at 5:15 am
[...] – Times: End The Free-Flying Corridor Over East RiverGotham Gazette, NY - 21 hours agoAn editorial in the New York Times points out that the crash of a small plane into a high rise, resulting in the death of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and his … [...]