Sunrise Over Manhattan: Flying the Hudson River Corridor   Recently updated !


November 29, 2024 — Sunrise Over Manhattan: Flying the Hudson River Corridor

On November 29, I flew the Hudson River Corridor with my buddy Zack. We launched early and timed our arrival perfectly—right at sunrise. The light over Manhattan was unreal. Golden reflections off the skyline, shadows stretching over the river, and the RV-8 humming steady at low altitude. The pictures are absolutely epic.

The Route

We entered the corridor from the south, near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and flew northbound past the Statue of Liberty, the skyline, and Central Park—right up to the Alpine Tower just north of the George Washington Bridge. After reaching the northern boundary, we turned around and flew the corridor south again, retracing our path.

Flying the Hudson Corridor

The Hudson River VFR Corridor allows pilots to fly below 1,300 feet through one of the busiest pieces of airspace in the country—right past downtown Manhattan—without talking to ATC. You stay beneath Class B airspace, monitor the corridor CTAF (123.05 MHz), and make position reports at key landmarks: Verrazano Bridge, Statue of Liberty, George Washington Bridge, Intrepid, and so on.

It’s VFR only, so weather and visibility have to be solid. You’re sharing the route with helicopters, tour aircraft, and other GA planes—so staying alert is non-negotiable.

Worth It

This was one of the most unforgettable flights I’ve done. Zack and I have been flying together for years, and this one went straight to the highlight reel. Flying your own plane through the heart of NYC at sunrise? Hard to beat.


About Peter

plbarrett.com | Certified Flight Instructor (Single & Multi-Engine, Instrument, and Advanced Ground) | Commercial Helicopter

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