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Helicopter Lift Operations Permit 

Permit Description

  • Permit to operate helicopter lift. 

Cost of Permit 

  • $315.00 

Permit Length 

  • 30 Days 

Application Requirements

PERMIT TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

In addition to compliance with the requirements of the New York City Fire Code, New York City Fire Department Rules, other City, State, and Federal rules, regulations, laws, and codes, the above permit, issued by the New York City Fire Department to conduct a helicopter landing operation in New York City, is subject to the following terms and conditions: 

  1. The Applicant shall obtain authorization from the New York City Department of Buildings as a condition precedent to the Fire Department’s issuance of a Helicopter Lift Operation Permit. 
  2. The helicopter lift operation shall only be conducted during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
  3. At least two weeks prior to the scheduled lift date, the Applicant shall schedule a pre- lift meeting at the proposed helicopter lift site with the building owner, and the following New York City government agencies: the Fire Department, the local Police Department precinct, the Police Department Aviation Unit, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Buildings if required
  4. The Fire Department will conduct a pre-operational site inspection of the proposed helicopter lift area to determine adequate clearances, and the amount of equipment and number of firefighters needed to supply fire protection.  Use of the proposed helicopter lift site is subject to Fire Department approval.  
  5. The Applicant shall provide the Police Department with the ability to monitor communications between the helicopter pilot and the ground during the lift operation, in addition to Applicant’s responsibility to enable the Fire Department to monitor these communications pursuant to Fire Code Section 1110.7 (PDF).
  6. The Fire Department may restrict the day of the week and/or the hours of the proposed lift operation.
  7. The Fire Department and the Police Department may temporarily suspend or cancel the helicopter lift operation if conditions exist that endanger public safety.
  8. The Applicant must promptly notify the Bureau of Operations, Public Transportation Safety Unit (PTSU) of the Fire Department at (718) 999-2066 if for any reason the helicopter lift operation is to be cancelled.

  9. The Applicant will be responsible for the cost of providing fire protection at the lift site.  An hourly fee per Fire Department apparatus, as set forth in Fire Code Section A03.1(23)(PDF),  is required.  The Fire Department will bill Applicant for the costs of fire protection at the operation site and the Applicant shall promptly remit payment.

To Apply for Permit 

Please Have These Documents 

  • Proof of Liability and casualty insurance in an amount determined by the Fire Commissioner but not less than 5 million for helicopter lift operations.   
  • A site map of the area for the heliport landing, heliport landing, helicopter lift, or hot air balloon operations. 
  • The aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
  • A pilot's license issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
  • All relevant permits, authorizations, and/or approvals from other New York City agencies for the aviation operation.   
  • Department of Buildings authorization is required for helicopter lift operations.   
  • An affidavit of the property owner authorizing the aviation operation of his/her property 

  • Helicopter Lift Operation: the Rotocraft Externa-Load Operator Certificate issued by Federal Aviation Administration.
     

Application Process 

The applicant must submit the permit application at least 20 days prior to the proposed helicopter landing, helicopter lift or hot air balloon operations.  


Copies of supporting documentation described in the Prerequisites section above must be submitted along with the request.  Payment of the permit fee, identified below, must be included with the request for the permit.  The applicant may submit the request, the required documents and the permit fee in person or via mail to: 
 
              NYC Fire Department (FDNY) 
              District Office Headquarters   
              9 Metro Tech Center, 3rd Floor   
              Brooklyn, NY 11201 

The Fire Department will contact the applicant upon acceptance of the application.  

The Public Transportation Safety Unit will confirm the application.    

Additional Information

Applicants must submit the aviation permit application along with all supporting documentation as indicated in the application, which may include: copies of all relevant permits, authorizations and/or approvals from other New York City agencies to conduct the aviation operation; site map; pilot’s license; aircraft’s airworthiness certificate; affidavit of property owner where aviation operation will occur; and proof of insurance.  Please consult the applicable permit application for specific requirements.  In addition, issuance of the aviation operation permit is subject to the Terms and Conditions listed below. 
 
Permit application must be submitted to FDNY Public Transportation Unit  (PTSU) no less than 20 days prior to requested landing date. 
 
 
For Information Related to this Permit, please contact: 

New York City Fire Department
Public Transportation Safety Unit 
9 MetroTech Center, 7S-14B
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel. (718) 999-2066
E-mail:  ptsu@fdny.nyc.gov 

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