It was widely reported that the NYPD closed the airspace over Lower Manhattan last week during the raid on the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zuccotti Park.
However, I don't believe NYPD would have that authority, and that airspace closures would be determined by the FAA. According to the FAA's PAO as quoted in the Columbia Journalism Review, the FAA received no such request from the city, and the airspace never was closed. WNBC later tweeted that their helicopter pilot "misunderstood directions from the tower."
Which tower would a chopper pilot over Lower Manhattan be speaking to, and would these communications be archived on LiveATC? I would love to hear exactly what the pilots were or were not told.
And, in a larger sense, how does ATC generally coordinate law enforcement helo activity with press helicopters and other air traffic? I've seen my share of car-chase video in LA with several choppers above the scene, and I wonder if "see and avoid" is sufficient, or if particular altitudes are assigned, or what.
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