Volume 3, Number 1 • November 2004 FINA L APPROAC H The Official Publication of the Aviation Association • Online at www.njaviation.org

New Jersey Aviation Rich in Tradition, and Critical for Commerce, Industry and Tourism

ike New Jersey itself, the State’s general One of aviation’s major problems is percep- as a result of general av i ation activities. aviation (GA) industry is rich in tradition tion. Many people see general av i ation as the Teterboro, Morristown and Essex County, rank Land history. In fact, the term “a i r p o rt ” province of privilege where the well to do spend within the top 16 GA facilities in the country. was coined in New Jersey. The Atlantic City Sun their idle time piloting expensive private air- Coupled with Tre n t o n - M e rce r they re p re s e n t introduced the word in 1919 describing Bader craft while causing disturbance to communities the home bases for the fleets of most of the Field as “Atlantic City’s .” The term had surrounding . Nothing could be further major corporations headquart e red in New never been used prior to that. Other facilities from the truth. In fact, 70 percent of the 2.3 mil- Jersey. Company officials have time and again were equally famous and their history has car- lion general aviation flights are business trips. cited airport access as a major reason for locat- ried over to this day. Brewster Road, an internal New Jersey general aviation airports are criti- ing their operations. New Jersey is home to a rt e ry at New a rk Liberty International, was cal links for commerce, industry and tourism. major corporations in the pharmaceutical, com- named for the Brewster Buffalo fighters which Some 75,000 people are employed in New Jersey munication, publishing, engineering, technolo- were produced at the airport. Millville was the gy and manufacturing industries. first national defense airport in the Un i t e d A second reason for the loss of 53 New Jersey States and was the center of training for the P- a i r p o rts since 1952 has been the continued 47 Thunderbolt pilots. Bendix, as Te t e r b o ro development through the State. Both airport s A i r p o rt was originally called, opened in 1919 and farms have been particular targets of devel- and was a hub of activity before, during and opers seeking large tracts to erect homes and after World War II. commercial projects. Atlantic City’s was the site In other cases, airports have remained open of another av i ation historic event, the launch but new home developments have been built site for the first transcontinental flight Continued on page 3 by two prominent African Americans. Dr. Albert Frosythe, a local physician and Alfred Anderson flew the “Pride of Atlantic City” to Los Angeles. Anderson later flew Eleanor State Tax Policy Clarified Roosevelt which led to the formation of the Tuskegee Airman. any questions have arisen concerning of 6,000 pounds or more, are exempt from the Bader not only represents New Jersey’s avia- S t ate taxing policies on airc raft sales tax imposed under the Sales and Use Tax Act…” and repairs. Following is an update on tion history, but typifies the present day situa- M This bill expanded the exemption which the State’s present policy. tion for the Stat e’s general av i ation system. a l ready applied to airc raft sold to and main- Although aviation is a 3 billion business in the In 1998 the Legislat u re enacted S-981 tained by commercial carriers. State and a vital part of New Jersey’s intermodal and A-1952 which exempted sale tax re c e i p t s “Based on the interests and concerns of t ra n s p o rt ation system, it has been tre ated by f rom “sales of airc raft and repairs, including many residents with emotions ranging fro m machinery or equipment to be installed on such various groups, the Association and other apathy to contempt and as a public nuisance. a i rc raft and replacement parts there f o re on groups will look into the possibility of expand- The official attitude in Atlantic City with respect aircraft having a maximum certificated takeoff ing the exemption furt h e r,” said Associat i o n to Bader is “close it.” There is no desire by the weight, as contained in the cert i f i c ate type B o a rd member and former Assemblyman City to keep Bader open after 2006. issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, Jack Penn.  Ronson Aviation Expanding at Trenton-Mercer

re n t o n - M e rcer Airport FBO (f i xed base Ronson Av i ation continues to enjoy steady Ronson’s expansion will not necessarily mean operator) Ronson Aviation plans to break g rowth from corporations and private pilots more air traffic at Trenton-Mercer. According to T g round next year on a stat e - o f - t h e - a rt who appreciate the convenience and efficiency M e rcer County Executive Brian Hughes, “Our hanger and office complex that will comple- offered by our Trenton, NJ location.” neighbors around the airport probably won’t ment it’s existing 52,200 square foot facility. Ronson’s expansion due to increased activity see an increase in flights because of this expan- Ronson provides complete flight services for comes as no surprise to Aaron Watson, the sion. Right now, many transient aircraft come general aviation aircraft, including fuel, mainte- M e rcer County’s Director of Tra n s p o rt at i o n and go just for fuel and servicing. When the nance, repair and overhaul, 24 hour US and Infra s t ru c t u re. “A i rc raft operators are expansion is complete, Ronson will be able to Customs, management for corporate and indi- beginning to realize costs here are substantially house more aircraft permanently at the airport, vidual aircraft, charters and aircraft sales. less than at airports in No rthern New Jersey. meaning they won’t be coming and going as Ronson – famous for its lighters and lighter Plus, we don’t have the delays and hassles asso- often. We’ll have more aircraft on the ground, p roducts – has been at Tre n t o n - M e rce r since ciated with the Class B airspace as they do there, but our overall traffic will be about the same.” 1965 when it began a helicopter operation. making movements in-and-out very quick and Together with the new Pfizer and Merc k Ronson attributes the growth in GA activity easy,” said Watson. hangers at Tre n t o n - M e rc e r, the new Ro n s o n at Tre n t o n - M e rce r as the reason for the new The new hanger, large enough to house facility will further help establish the airport construction. According to Louis V. Aronson II, as a center for GA aircraft needing the access president and CEO, “Ronson Aviation requires G u l f s t ream V business jets, will be equipped additional space to accommodate the airc ra f t with the most up-to-date re q u i rements and to Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, but and administrative needs of an expanding cus- technology. It will include a crew lounge, show- at a lower cost. And, perhaps with a new tomer base at Tre n t o n - M e rcer Airport. The ers, private parking and maintenance areas. The passenger terminal for commercial flights expansion of Ronson’s current operations will office building will provide direct access to the in the future, Tre n t o n - M e rcer can begin to significantly enhance transportation services to h a n g e r, and the majority of the space will be live up to its potential, bringing in needed better serve it’s clients and community. We are leased out to other aviation-related companies, revenue for Mercer County and surro u n d i n g pleased that despite a challenging economy, bringing new jobs to the airport. communities. 

Civil Air Patrol Looking For A Few Good Men & Women To Help Keep NJ Safe

he Civil Air Pat rol (CAP) is celebrating and provided air transportation for Federal offi- t raining scholarships, International Cadet 62 years of volunteer service to America. cials days after September 11th. CAP patrolled Exchange pro g ram and more. Ae ro s p a c e T Since December 1, 1941, when the organ- the waters off Cape Kennedy prior to the last E d u c ation initiatives support the community i z ation was formed, CAP has protected the shuttle and provided homeland security sup- with hundreds of workshops at colleges and home skies. In the early days of World War II, port during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake schools. Classroom materials, teacher training CAP performed anti-submarine pat rols off C i t y, flying 534 hours of airborne re c o n n a i s- and other educational aids are provided at no the New Jersey Shore, and was responsible sance. cost to America’s teachers by CAP. The Civil Air for saving countless lives and merchant ships CAP conducts 95% of all inland search and Patrol is a vital organization that prepares our from disaster. rescue in our country, as tasked by the US Air youth morally, physically and mentally as lead- Today’s CAP, as the US Air Force Auxiliary, is Force, saving an average of 100 lives per year. Its ers of tomorrow. i n v olved in Homeland Security with ov e r units provide airborne imagery of critical infra- New Jersey has 27 units based throughout the 6 4 ,000 trained volunteers, 1,700 operat i o n a l s t ru c t u res such as dams, pipelines, bridges, state. It is looking for cadet and adult members units, 530 airc raft and 1,000 vehicles. power plants, seaports and more. who want to make a difference in their personal September 11, 2001 was a tragic day for The CAP Cadet programs offer our nation’s lives while contributing to a strong America. To America, and CAP responded with the first aeri- youth the opportunity of aerospace education, find a squadron near you, please visit its website al survey of the World Trade Center disaster site college scholarships, powered and glider flight at http://www.cap.gov. 

Final Approach 2 New Jersey Aviation g rams to assure the continual health of their The State identified 32 privately and publicly general aviation facilities. New Jersey has, until owned facilities which it found must not only be Continued from page 1 recently, viewed this vital area more as a prob- p re s e rved but improved to allow the system near and adjacent to air operations areas. The lem than as part of our intermodal transporta- itself to remain viable. As a result, the State is results have been predictable. The new neigh- tion system. Since the majority of the State’s GA not only purchasing development rights bors complain to public officials about aircraft airports were privately owned or received mini- (Lincoln Park Airport in Morris County was the noise and safety and the airport becomes a hot mal State support, they were viewed as local first such pro g ram), but buying facilities out- political football. municipal problems. As a result, the airport s right if necessary. At present, the State has pur- A typical example, but similar to many oth- have been subject to the vagaries of local zon- chased Greenwood Lake and South Jersey ers throughout the State, is Teterboro Airport ing, taxation apathy and often contempt. In Regional Airports, is acting as financial sponsor in Bergen County. Teterboro is more than a many cases, airport owners made bad situations with the FAA for Monmouth County to pur- general aviation airport. It is one-fourth of the worse by fighting towns and residents at every chase Monmouth Executive Airport and is greatest system of air facilities the world will opportunity. negotiating to purchase other core airports such ever know. The four Port Authority airports, Two events have begun to brighten this sce- as Solberg in Hunterdon County. Kennedy, Newark Liberty International, nario. First, the passage of the Airport Rights In addition, former Governor McGre e v e y LaGuardia and Teterboro, provide the New Development Act in the last days of the earlier this year issued Executive Order 78 York-New Jersey metropolitan area with the establishing a General Av i ation Re v i ew highest degree of air access in the world. Commission. The Commission will be charged Without Teterboro, the remaining three air- with conducting an inventory of the State’s pub- ports would have difficulty meeting the needs lic use GA facilities, identifying the role each air- of the commercial carriers. port plays vis-à-vis its location and the demand Ac c o rding to a New Jersey Department of of its uses; to consider solutions and alterna- Tra n s p o rt ation Study, as of 1996 Te t e r b o ro tives to the pre s e rvation of airports including injected approx i m ately $460 million annually but not limited to the purchase of development into the economy of the Bergen County are a . right or direct public acquisition; and to devel- Visitor expenditures account for $76 million of op strategies for the preservation and rehabilita- the total. Therefore, $384 million of economic tion of the existing system based on the “fix it input came directly as a result of daily airport first” and “smart growth” principals. employment and activity. As a result, the future of general av i ation Nevertheless, as the communities surround- may be brighter today than at any time since the ing Teterboro have grown, so has the crescendo end of World War II. The State has become of complaints. Some officials have called for i n volved and the industry itself has begun to its closure. recognize its responsibility to define its image Many of the State’s remaining 47 general avi- and address the concerns of communities ation airports face a similar dichotomy. surrounding airports. Tre n t o n - M e rc e r, which according to the DOT Whitman Ad m i n i s t ration. This legislat i o n Much work remains. There are still legislative study annually produces $217 million in eco- enables the Commissioner of Transportation to and municipal efforts to limit and in some cases nomic output, is under constant attack fro m p u rch ase the development rights at a genera l eliminate aviation facilities. The role of the State home owner groups on both sides of the aviation airport. In consideration of the State’s and municipalities in the areas of zoning, devel- Delaware. Morristown and Essex County, which investment the airport ow n e r / o p e rat o r opment and taxation must still be refined. The annually produce $163 and $64 million respec- covenants that the airport will remain a public actual economic impact and the total role of t i v e l y, are surrounded by communities which use facility in perpetuity. This began the process general aviation in the State’s intermodal trans- often raise complaints about airport operations. of saving New Jersey’s airport system. portation system must be further defined. A third issue facing New Jersey general avia- A further, far more reaching step was taken How e v e r, despite the problems it has faced tion has been the high cost of operating private- by the McGreevey Administration. First, during and despite the loss of many airports over ly owned facilities. New Jersey has historically his campaign for the Governorship, Candidate the years, the fact is general aviation has grown lagged both in political and financial support of M c G reevey promised, if elected, no re q u i re d to a 3 billion business in New Jersey. Many its aviation system. While other states, includ- general aviation airport would close during his industries would be satisfied with that as an ing regional neighbors Pennsylvania, Maryland term. In his tenure, Governor McGreevey was economic goal. For av i ation, it is merely a and New York, have undertaken numerous pro- true to his word. starting point. 

3 Quieter Skies Ahead The Bulletin Board lthough most airc raft currently under production meet the tougher Stage 4 noise standards, January 1, 2006 marks the official NJAA Board Members Adate when all new aircraft worldwide must meet the new noise re q u i rements. Stage 4 airc raft are 10 decibels lower than the current Named to Governor’s Stage 3 aircraft. General Aviation Comission All industry and trade groups are equally enthusiastic about the new, quieter standards, but there is a strong movement to compel the FAA to hree members of the New Jersey Aviation Association e l i m i n ate older and noisier Stage 1 and Stage 2 airc raft under 75,000 lbs. B o a r d have been na med to the Governor’s Gene ra l A i r p o rt groups and local politicians have lined up in favor of banning these TAv i a t i on Commission. Skip Rawson will serve as a i rc raft. The Po rt Authority of New Yo rk and New Jersey, in comments sub- Chairman and Association President, Tom Carver will serve as mitted to the FAA said that elimination of Stage 2 operations at Te t e r b o ro Vice Chairman. Cliff Anderson of the Woodbine Port Authority would reduce airport noise by more than 50%, even though Stage 2 airc ra f t has also been appointed to the Commission. o p e rations constitute less than 10% of Te t e r b o ro operat i o n s . “It’s time for the FAA to conduct a cost/benefit analysis which evaluates     whether its now appropriate to begin the phase-out of Stage 2 aircraft less than 75,000 lbs.,” said the Port Authority. New Jersey Aviation Arguing against the Stage 2 ban on a pro c e d u ral issue is the NBAA and air- Education Council News c raft operators. The NBAA claims the Stage 2 ban proposal is well beyo n d he New Jersey Aviation Education Council is develop- the scope of the FA A’s ob l i g ation to adopt the international Stage 4 ru l e s . ing a five year plan for students and teachers within At this point, it’s unclear whether the FAA will entertain the arguments the State. Also under development is a five year career against Stage 1 and Stage 2 operations, but it’s certain that the skies will T path plan to better acquaint New Jersey students with career get progressively quieter in the months and years ahead.  opportunities in the industry. Additional information can be supplied by Tom Teel of the Mercer County Community College Aviation Department. He can be reached at (908) 412-9157 or Website Renews [email protected]. Memories of Lost Airports     emember the Red Bank Airport? How about Hadley Field in South Study Shows Aviation Plainfield or Ramapo Valley Airport in Mahwah before it became a Generates $97 Million Daily RFo rd plant? Does anyone recall seeing the hov e rc raft Pr i n c e t o n University students tested at Forrestal Airport? for New York State Economy I n f o r m ation and photos of these and 29 other former New Jersey he New York State DOT has published an excellent a i r p o rts , plus more than a thousand commercial, general av i ation and brochure on the economic benefits provided by the military fields nationwide, can be found at www.airfields-freeman.com, Empire State’s airport system. Unlike New Jersey, New a website devoted to abandoned and little known airports. T York includes the revenues provided by Port Authority of New The site is rich with facts most New Jerseyeans have long forgotten. York and New Jersey facilities, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Visitors to the site will be reminded of the aeromarine airport in Keyport, International. According to the report, aviation generated where flying boats were manufactured that provided service to routes such $97 million daily for the State economy. Perhaps it is time, at as New York to Atlantic City, Key West to Cuba and Cleveland to Detroit. least from an economic standpoint to recognize that aviation Also included is the Airc raft Radio Corporation Airfield in Boonton in New Jersey is a single industry, a single dynamic and a sin- where famed WWII pilot Jimmy Doolittle often flew. ARC was an early gle econo m ic eng i ne which inc l ude s Newark Liberty and leader in avionics which produced such high quality equipment that the At l a nt ic City Int e r na t io nal Airports. Ta ken toge t he r, ho w company was eventually purchased by Cessna. many millions would all of New Jersey’s airports produce in a These and other airports have been lost to history and development, but single day? the website will bring back many memories for those who can remember a time when local airports were synonymous with community pride.  4 November 2004 P R E S I D E N T ’ S U P D A T E

e know that Jim Mc G re e v e y of the aisle. He is direct, honest and forthcoming. I also worked was good for avia t i on. He with him when serving as Assistant General Manager at Newark Wp romised that no re q u i re d Liberty International Airport. He knows the importance of avia- ge n e ral avia t ion airport would close on tion. One of our tasks will be to build on this base so the excel- his watch and no ne did. We also kno w lent work carried out under McGreevey can continue. (Please see that Jim Mc G reevey is longer Governo r. accompanying articles) F i na l l y, we know that State Sena t o r Although the Association applauds the State DOT on its acqui- R ic h a rd Codey (D, Essex) has ascende d Tom Carver sition program, we are equally frustrated at the lack of progress to the Governor’s chair while cont i nu- elsewhere in the State Capital, specifically at Trenton-Mercer i ng to serve as Senate Pre s i de n t. Codey will serve the re ma i nde r Airport. Several major tenants asked the Association to inter- of Mc G reevey’s term. What we do not know is what effect the s e vene with the Mercer County Executive concerning some aspects c h a n ges will have on the avia t ion indu s t r y. of the airport’s voluntary night curfew. Unfortunately, repeated At least it appears that the Governor’s Aviation Commission, calls for a meeting have been ignored. This is rather amazing in announced by McGreevey earlier this year will survive, although a period when government agencies seem to bend over back- no public pronouncement of the panel group or its starting date wards to be more responsive. Of course, the tenants only pay has been issued. the freight but the voters elect. Perhaps that’s the problem. I have known Dick Codey for many years. We formed a close In add i t ion , the capital of this most dy na m i c state is still w o r k i n g re l a t i o n ship when I was Pre s i de nt of the Casino w i t hout ade q uat e air servic e. This is disgraceful cons ide r i ng Association of New Jersey. The West Orange-based Senator was a Southwest Air had appro a c hed the County several years back founding father of the Casino Control Act and maintained a i nd ic a t i ng its de s i r e to serve TNN. Pe r s o n ality clashe s, party pol- strong interest in the casino industry. In many respects, he is similar to former Senate President Don Di Francesco who also i t ic s , lack of vision and political coura ge helped doom the effo r t . served as interim Governor after Christie Whitman resigned to With the potent i al demise of US Airways at Philade l p h i a the b e c o me head of the Enviro n me ntal Pro t e c t ion Age nc y. Like door mig h t open for an int e rested carrier at Tre nton. Should that Di Francesco, Codey is well respected by Senators on both sides develop, hopefully the door will not be slammed shut once again. Thomas D. Carve r, Pre s i d e n t

State Airport Preservation Program Proceeds DOT and DEP Action Keeps All Facilities Airports in Perpetuity

tate Aeronautics Director Tom Thatcher accomplished through the Department of DOT has tendered offers for outright pur- re p o rted in August that eight airport s E n v i ronmental Protection. This could be a chase or development right agreements to Sh ave been pre s e rved either by direct favorable sign for aviation if the DEP recognizes S o l b e r g - Hu n t e rdon, Alexandria Field, Su s s e x a i r p o rts as pre s e rvers of open space – which and Spitfire Airports. The Solberg saga contin- S t ate purchase or purchase of development they are. ues as the State and the Solberg Family are some rights. These include Ae roflex Andov e r, The eighth pre s e rved airport is Pr i n c e t o n , 20 million apart in the respective assessments of G reenwood Lake, Trinca and South Jersey w h e re the operators accepted federal funds the facility. which were brought outright by DOT. The State for the purchase of 50 additional acres. As The Ae ronautics Division is continuing purchased development rights for Lincoln Park, a result of the State acquisitions, all discussions on Monmouth Exe c u t i v e , Camden County and Central Jersey Airport s . p re s e r ved facilities are classified airports in Bl a i r s t own, Sky Manor and Tre n t o n - The Camden County purchase was actually perpetuity. Robbinsville. 

Final Approach 5 November 2004 NBAA Book Helps Kids Understand Aviation

he National Business Av i ation Association has published a glossy children’s book designed to introduce students grades 2-5 to business T av i ation. The Flying Office: Av i ation Goes To Wo rk is part of NBAA’s AvKids initiative that incorporates a curriculum of science, math geography and language arts. The book has stories about how av i ation helps people and businesses, and explains the forces of flight (drag, gravity, lift and thrust), parts of an airc raft, and a glossary of av i ation terms. Copies are available free of charge to teachers and interested parties. Visit w w w. av k i d s . c o m or call NBAA at (202) 783-9286. 

PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID Need town and Permit No. FINA L APPROACH Volume 3, Number 1 • November 2003

Final Approach is published by: New Jersey Aviation Association 172 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608

(609) 599-3031

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President: Thomas D. Carver Chairman: Hugh McElroy Editorial Consultants: Rob Kulat, Deirdre C. Fichter