Story ID: 
Bloomberg defends his helicopter
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg rebuffed local media criticism for using his own helicopter, an AgustaWestland A109S Grand, at his own expense, to travel 
Word Count: 98
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg rebuffed local media criticism for using his own helicopter, an AgustaWestland A109S Grand, at his own expense, to travel to a concert at the Meadowlands by the rock group U-2. The concert was held on a Friday night following a day when Bloomberg had a particularly busy schedule. But that didn’t stop a local television reporter from reminding the mayor that turbine helicopters burn more fuel than cars. Bloomberg did not miss a beat. “I could have walked or swam across the river as well; that would have used less [fuel].”