October 10, 2011
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Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition Awards New Jersey Airport Challenge Prizes
The New Jersey Airport Challenge tests pilots' skills by providing an incentive to fly to all of the airports that participate in the MAAC-sponsored event. This year, 27 airports agreed to take part in the event. Pilots flew to the airports where they were given a signed and dated entry card. Pilots then took all of their entry cards to MAAC's annual picnic and fly-in. Prizes were awarded to the pilots who had the most entry cards.
The 2011 prize winners were Robert Guhr, Allan Streit, and Howard Cooper, all of whom flew to all 27 general aviation airports that participated in the this year's Airport Challenge. Bob (shown below with MAAC Vice President and Airport Challenge Coordinator Bob Checchio) flies a Maule MX7 based at Lincoln Park Airport, and was awarded a DVD-based course in IFR flying donated by Sporty's Pilot Shop.
Allan (shown below with Bob Checchio) flies a Cessna 150 based at Central Jersey Regional Airport located in Hillsborough. Allan was awarded a gift certificate worth $279 towards any course offered by King Schools.
Howard Cooper, who flies 1977 Grumman Lynx, was not able to attend. Howard was awarded a gift certificate for $75 of avgas at Somerset Airport, provided by Somerset Air Service. All three pilots received a MAAC hat, a copy of the book "Adventures in Flying" autographed by the author, former Star-Ledger aviation columnist Jack Elliott, and a MAAC mouse pad.
Besides the opportunity to win prizes, the participating pilots reported that the Airport Challenge gave them an incentive to fly to airports that they would not have flown to otherwise. Flying to a variety of airports provided an opportunity to sharpen their skills, including operating at towered airports and turf fields. All three pilots reported having a great time flying the Challenge.
The prizewinners with MAAC President Mike Stoddard and MAAC VP Bob Checchio
Details about the 2012 New Jersey Airport Challenge will be available in the spring on MAAC's web site, www.njaviation.com. For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition, send an email to maacmembers@gmail.com.
New Jersey Airports Participate in International Learn to Fly Day
Princeton Airport Celebrates 100 Years
"Less than a decade after the Wright brothers made real man’s age old desire to fly, the age of aviation reached our region (Princeton area) with the coming of Richard A. Newhouse, newly arrived from Germany, who designed and built planes in Rocky Hill as early as 1911.” So recalls two sons, Werner and Aribert, in a local newspaper, “The Princeton Recollector”.
Princeton Airport began in 1911 as an airfield named Bolmer’s Field after its owners, Sarah and Paul Bohmer. Newhouse, a draftsman from Germany, designed and built planes in his backyard. In 1929 Newhouse and his son, Werner, began The Newhouse Flying Service and they renamed the field, Princeton Airport. Their business took off and during the depression they had nineteen planes. According to a 1931 Department of Commerce Airway Bulletin, at that time the airport was seventy acres, had two unpaved runways and a hangar with the name, “PRINCETON” on it. Their operation continued until World War II, when Richard Newhouse’s five sons went into the military, four as pilots. He had to give up the airport.
Still under the ownership of the Bohmer family, after the war ended, Howard Bartholomew, Jr., operated the airport, and he continued through the 1960s. In the ‘60s the airport was owned by Webster (Danny) Todd, Jr. and his wife. By this time the airport was fifty acres with one east-west runway which Todd had paved, along with the taxiway. He also had the terminal built and two sets of T-hangars. It was later sold to Metro Aire, Inc., in 1976, which had a full service operation including a commuter, Princeton Airways. In 1981 Princeton Airport was once again put up for sale. Fears were that it would become a shopping center or housing as land values were soaring.
After four years of being on the real estate market, Princeton Aero Corp, consisting of Naomi, Richard, and their son, Kenneth Nierenberg purchased it in March 1985. Bringing their many years of aviation experience, they planned to make Princeton Airport one of the most outstanding general aviation facilities. After much conflict with the local governing body, the persistence of the Nierenbergs focused on the goal and vision.
That dream came true in the fall of 2001 when the airport doubles in size from 50 acres to 100+ acres, making room for the new 3500’ by 75” runway, the first new runway constructed in New Jersey in over 30 years. Since the airport did not have a full-length taxiway, the old runway became a taxiway after being ripped up and repaved. A high intensity pilot operated, lighting system was installed, as well as the construction of a large ramp for transient helicopter and airplane parking.
In total the airport has almost 90 T-hangars and box hangars, which accommodate cabin class airplanes. And second floor was constructed which houses offices, the classroom and a pilots’ lounge. Many aviation companies base at Princeton Airport including Raritan Valley Flying School, Analar Corp (helicopter charter), Nassau Helicopters, Pacific Air Corp and Air Transport.
The Princeton Airport Centennial Committee began planning many weeks ago to both raise money for special events and to make the year a fitting commemoration for a man who had a dream, Richard Newhouse. A Fly In/Drive- In Pancake Breakfast will start the festivities. In June the grandson, Robert, and his son, Hayden, will fly a 1931 Brunner-Winkle Bird from Illinois to Princeton for a gathering to celebrate the contributions the family has contributed to aviation. Garmin International will conduct a seminar highlighted what’s coming in the world of avionics also in June.
The grand event will be September 17 (rain date 19) when an all-day Open House will be held. In the morning there will be a ceremony with dignitaries, etc. after which there will be antiques, experimental, aerobatic and contemporary airplanes on display as well as fly byes. It is hoped that the day will end with fireworks – a fitting way to celebrate.
Princeton Airport Pancake Breakast May 15, 2011
Grant Winners Flying High
New Jersey Based Business Education Partnership
Launches New Aviation Education Program for Students and Faculty
“Preparing today’s youth to become tomorrow’s transportation professionals” is the mission of the DOT Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program (GAMTTEP) grant, provided through the Federal Highway Administration, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Centers of Excellence.
“Through these awards, the DOT strives to encourage students to consider careers in transportation,” says Patricia Watts, Ph.D., Program Director for FAA Air Transportation Centers of Excellence, “and, within the FAA of course, we are particularly interested in inspiring students to look toward future possibilities in aviation.”
This New Jersey-based STEM collaborative was initiated by local business leaders from Alexandria Field Airport and includes Hunterdon Central Regional High School, the lead education agency, Delaware Valley Regional High School, and affiliated K-8 local school districts. Members also include Rutgers University, Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), and other aviation industry experts.
The collaborative brings together a diverse and highly experienced group of business and education professionals to use aviation-based STEM curriculum, and hands on activities available at a general aviation airport, to motivate and mentor students and faculty from pre-K through the University levels. Leadership training, aviation clubs, airport engineering orientations, early-college education credits, scholarships, summer camps, internships and even building an experimental aircraft, are examples of programs to be offered through this collaborative.
“This grant provides an extraordinary opportunity for working collaboratively with our local airport and providing learning and leadership training for students and faculty”, says Lisa Brady, Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Superintendent.
“I've had Simmons faculty who participated in Leaders Take Flight® workshops see me in the hall a year and a half after the workshop ended,” says Sue Stafford, an instrument rated pilot. “They burst out with comments like, ‘[I am] Still acting as pilot in command!’ That sort of impact is typical for this intense, 2-day experience; the learning sticks!”
The DOT grant provides faculty at the two high schools, Rutgers and RVCC the opportunity to participate in Leaders Take Flight®, where they will receive training and confidence building that can be translated into improving STEM education in the classroom. Six female students from each high school will participate in Women Take Flight® workshops.
www.leaderstakeflight.com
www.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/
http://www.raritanval.edu/
http://sciencewomen.rutgers.edu
www.flyauburn.org
www.simmons.edu
www.wolf-aviation.org
www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/nextgen/coe/
www.changetheequation.org
MAAC-NJ Members Visit Cradle of Aviation Museum
On November 6, seven MAAC-NJ members visited the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island.
Left to right in the picture are Bob Checchio, Diana Dade, Esta-Ann Elliott, Jack Elliott, Judy Conard, George Conard, and Ryman Herr.
The Cradle of Aviation Museum features historical exhibits showing the importance of Long Island to many key aviation events ranging from the early days in ballooning to the moon landing.
MAAC-NJ plans a bus trip to the mueum in the spring. If you are interested in coming, please send an email to maacmembers@gmail.com
New Jersey Airport Challenge Winners Receive Prizes
The winners of the 2010 New Jersey Airport Challenge received their prizes at the annual picnic and fly-in of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition-New Jersey. The event was held on September 19 at Somerset Airport.
The first prize winner was Tony Butterhof who flew to virtually every participating airport. Adding to the impressiveness of Tony's feat was the fact that accomplished it in just three days of flying. For his great flying, Tony was awarded a DVD-based instrument flying course provided by Sporty's Pilot Shop. Second prize, a gift certificate for up to 75 gallons of fuel provided by Larry Rachlin Insurance, was won by Pat Lott. John Loofbourrow came in third, and was awarded a gift certificate for $75 of fuel provided by Somerset Air Service.
Bill Steinberg, Len Levy, and Tessa Sherman were winners of a copy of "Adventures in Flying" donated by the book's author Jack Elliott. Annamary McCann won a MAAC mug.
Contest organizer Bob Checchio announced that the event would be repeated in 2011.
MAAC Celebrates Will Rogers-Wiley Post Beacon
On August 4, 2010, the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition-New Jersey celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Will Rogers-Wiley Post Airway Beacon located atop the George Washingon Bridge with a cruise on the Hudson River sloop Clearwater.
MAAC-NJ President Mike Stoddard ponders the vagaries of the wind
North Jersey News Article on the Beacon
NASA Research Contest for Students
The Environmentally Responsible Aviation project of the Integrated Systems Research Program, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, has announced a new student contest.
The Green Aviation Student Challenge invites students to propose ideas and designs for future aircraft that use less fuel, produce less harmful emissions and make less noise.
The contest spans a full calendar year, so high school and college students have multiple opportunities to enter. The deadline for the first round for high school entries is May 1, 2010.
First-round entries from college students are due Dec. 15, 2010. The second round deadlines are in December 2010 for high school entries and May 2011 for college entries.
Students are asked to submit a well-documented paper and a short video to explain their ideas.
The ERA project intends to reward top-scoring students by airing their videos on NASA Web sites, and students may win a trip to an aviation event.
Top college students may also earn a paid internship at a NASA center.
For more information about the high school contest, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/era_high/competitions_high_era.htm.
For more information about the college contest, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/era_univ/competitions_univ_era.htm.
Questions about the contest should be directed to Elizabeth Ward at Elizabeth.B.Ward@nasa.gov.
New Jersey Safety Seminars
Notices will be placed here as MAAC-NJ becomes aware of them.