Should New Yorks famous East and Hudson River flyways be closed to small aircraft?
By Patrick Smith Oct. 20, 2006 | As you may have learned after the crash of New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle’s private plane, the island of Manhattan is bracketed by an unusual pair of low-altitude flyways. These north-to-south “corridors,” as they are known colloquially, trace the contours of the Hudson and East rivers. They are highly popular with recreational fliers, helicopters and other small aircraft, and rightly so, for they provide what is possibly the most spectacular view to be seen from an airplane anywhere on earth. The corridors aren’t quite the free-for-all described by the media and certain politicians in recent days — they are subject to speed restrictions and right-of-way protocols that keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely — but indeed they are flown exclusively under Visual Flight Rules, meaning there is no requirement for radar tracking, flight plans or even radio contact with air traffic control. The Hudson River route is the more relaxing of the two. It’s
