Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 4433; Flight Crew Type 2800
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Regarding a flight in the Hudson River NY Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA): I have flown here regularly since 1982. Many times. Today's observations: The tour helicopters think they own the airspace and routinely MISS required transmissions and do not fly as the SFRA indicates. While southbound at 1000 feet approaching the Statute of Liberty; no less than TWO tour helos climbed up through 1000 feet and across my path without transmitting. After a course reversal south of the VZ; headed northbound at 1000. There was a banner tow with a banner heading southbound below me. I transmitted 'hey you're on the wrong side'; and I heard a reply 'I'm in the middle of the river'. Two more tour helos crossed my path as they did course reversals over the GW bridge from northbound to southbound without transmitting. The Heliports use the 123.05 CFTAF frequency as their personal ramp frequency; clogging the frequency with 'land at spot 2' etc nonsense. It's time to clarify things: Per the regs at between 1000-1300 I'm supposed to be 'somewhat' protected from these sightseeing helos on 'local operations' from climbing through my 'mandatory' 1000 MSL 'floor'.
PA28 pilot reported observing several tour helicopters deviating from published procedures in the Hudson River Special Flight Rules Area.