Brooklyn Man Disputes NYPD Claim After Arrest for Flying Motorized Paraglider

By Y.M. Lowy

The Brooklyn man who was arrested after landing a motorized paraglider near the Verrazano Bridge says police misunderstood what happened and should not have arrested him.

Johnathan Warren was taken into custody after officers and a police helicopter surrounded him as he landed at Calvert Vaux Park. He was handcuffed, given a summons, and had his flying gear seized.

Police claimed Warren had parachuted off the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as it reopened following the New York City Marathon. But Warren says that’s not true — he says he took off and landed at the same park, and that this is something he’s done many times before.

“Someone saw me flying near the bridge, thought I jumped off, and called 911,” Warren said.

He explained that his setup is a “paramotor,” a type of ultralight aircraft powered by a small motor and fan, which he says follows every federal aviation rule. He’s flown it more than 30 times over New York and New Jersey during the past two years.

The NYPD, however, says Warren’s flights break several local laws and put others at risk.

Warren, now known as the city’s “Fan Man,” is due in court on November 22, where he plans to argue that his flights were legal and ask for his equipment to be returned.

photo: Shutterstock