NYC Air Tour

These pictures below, shown in memory of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001, were taken in March of 2001 by The NEAC. Prior to the terrorist attack, general aviation aircraft were able to fly down the Hudson River. This flight began at the Tappan Zee Bridge and then continued past lower Manhattan until reaching the Statue of Liberty, otherwise known as "The Lady of Liberty". Once the aircraft reached The Lady of Liberty, you would then proceed back on the original flight past Manhattan and back up to the original bridge where the flight began. Under each image, we have included several comments explaining the picture. Of course the clarity of the image has been significantly reduced for online viewing at a reasonable download speed. Please also keep in mind that these pictures are not of professional quality and were simply taken from inside of the aircraft as our scenic flight went on.

This is the start of the tour! Up ahead you see the George Washington Bridge. If you look in the distance behind the bridge, you can make out Manhattan.

As you approach Manhattan, on the left of the aircraft, you will see several docking bays on the Hudson River. The second one to the right is the infamous U.S.S. Intrepid Aircraft Carrier, a big tourist attraction in New York City. Upper Manhattan is in the background as well.

Of course, as you proceed down the river farther, lower Manhattan is also on the left side. Here, in this picture, The former World Trade Center stands tall! This was the direction that the two hijacked aircraft had approached the towers from.

After flying past lower Manhattan and the former Twin Towers, you get a beautiful view of the Statue Of Liberty! Typically an aircraft would get several circles around the statue before having to start flying back up the river.

After flying past the Statue Of Liberty, aviators were offered a once in a life time view of New York City! This image was always the most memorable. Here the Twin Towers stood tall and proud! After this picture was taken, we then flew back on our original flight path, back up the Hudson River, and returned home.

Why did we decide to produce these Memorial Images? For one, living in the Northeast United States, these are images you were used to seeing. Second, a close friend was working on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center and passed away that day. Third, I was one of only 3 pilots that were cleared to fly directly over the World Trade Center the day of the terrorist attacks. We flew out of Teterboro, NJ on September 11th, 2001 at 0130 hours. Teterboro is an airport just west of Lower Manhattan. Shortly after departure, we were cleared directly over the top of the Twin Towers at three thousand feet. Never in my fifteen plus years of flying was I ever given this clearance! The image was amazing! As we were directly above the two towers, looking down between them at the streets, I recall the other pilot saying "that's a sight you don't get to see often"! I quickly agreed, not knowing that this beautiful site would never be captured by the human eye ever again! Several Hours later, our country had changed forever! God bless all those who suffer from that tragic day.

The memory lives! This picture was taken from the ground during the memorial lighting of the World Trade Center, shortly after the clean up was completed.