In the wake of the deadly collision between a light plane and a helicopter over the Hudson, the Federal Aviation Administration
yesterday actually expanded the airspace over the river where planes can fly without guidance from air-traffic controllers.
“The situation was not improved,” fumed Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “It was made worse.”
Pilots now operate under visual flight rules — where they have the responsibility to “see and avoid” other aircraft as long as they stay under 1,100 feet and over the river.
Under the new rules, going into effect in November, the ceiling of the “VFR corridor” rises to 1,300 feet.
Nadler wants to eliminate all unregulated air traffic over the Hudson– as it was over the East River after Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle drifted over land and smashed into a high-rise.
The new rules separate various kinds of air traffic over the Hudson, and the agency insists that will make things safer.
“Local traffic,” like sightseeing planes, media helicopters and seaplanes, will have to stay below 1,000 feet.
Planes heading out of the area can fly unregulated between 1,000 and 1,300 feet or get permission to go higher and be placed under controller guidance.