Airport Alert Andover/Aeroflex NJ

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planenut777

Filing Flight Plan
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planenut777
Good evening everyone. I got an email from my flying club president a few days ago. Apparently the pilots and flight school over at Andover/Aeroflex in NJ (12N) are in danger of losing their base. Word is the pilots with hangars and the flight school were given a 90 day notice to vacate by the NJ Forest Service, as apparently they own the airport. Supposedly they want to tear down all the structures and build a hangar for their stuff. I know we have some people who are from NJ or have been to the airport at some point their lives. Below is a list of contact info of elected officials and a sample letter sent to me that can be used/modified as necessary, if you're interested in letting the officials know this is a bad idea. I don't have much information other than what I have mentioned above. Moderators if this post is out of line, by all means remove it. Otherwise thank you all for reading this and responding to the powers that be.

Mikie Sherrill — Governor of New Jersey

Parker Space — NJ Senator

Contact Your Legislator

nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app

Dawn Fantasia — NJ Assemblywoman

Contact Your Legislator

nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app

Michael Inganamort — NJ Assemblyman

Contact Your Legislator

nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app

Nicholas P. Scutari — NJ Senate President

Contact Your Legislator

nj-22-senate.web.fireside21.app nj-22-senate.web.fireside21.app

Craig J. Coughlin — NJ General Assembly Speaker

Contact Your Legislator

nj-19-district.web.fireside21.app nj-19-district.web.fireside21.app

Sussex County, Board of County Commissioners
Linda Miller – Clerk of the Board
[email protected]

I am writing as a concerned career pilot and supporter of general aviation, to express my strong opposition to the planned demolition of the hangars and other facilities at Aeroflex-Andover Airport (12N) in Andover, Sussex County.

This decision effectively amounts to a death sentence for one of New Jersey’s most iconic and beautiful general aviation airports. Aeroflex-Andover is not only a picturesque gem nestled in Kittatinny Valley State Park but also home to Andover Flight, a nationally recognized institution built over the past 40 years by Damian DelGaizo. The forced closure of Andover Flight and the potential loss of this vital aviation resource would be devastating for pilots, flight training, aerial firefighting operations, and the broader aviation community in New Jersey.

Destroying these facilities through bureaucratic action disregards the airport’s unique value — its scenic location between two lakes, its role in supporting general aviation, and its contribution to the state’s aviation heritage. New Jersey already faces challenges in preserving general aviation airports; allowing this one to be effectively eliminated would be a significant loss.

I respectfully urge you to intervene and halt the demolition plans. Please support efforts to preserve Aeroflex-Andover Airport as a functioning facility that benefits the community, pilots, and emergency services. I would greatly appreciate any assistance in finding a constructive path forward that protects this unique asset rather than destroying it.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I am happy to provide additional information or discuss this further at your convenience. Preserving Aeroflex-Andover is essential for maintaining New Jersey’s aviation infrastructure and heritage.




 
I feel bad for the club... But what does their lease actually say? Is there a 90 day clause in the lease?

If there is, start looking for a new spot. Letters to people to try and stop a NJ State agency from doing something with their own property and within their rights (**IF** the lease says they can) is not going to go anywhere.

Again, sorry they may be loosing their hangar.


EDIT: Fixed where I said "Federal" agency by mistake.
 
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M20K said:
I feel bad for the club... But what does their lease actually say? Is there a 90 day clause in the lease?

If there is, start looking for a new spot. Letters to people to try and stop a Federal agency from doing something with their own property and within their rights (**IF** the lease says they can) is not going to go anywhere.

Again, sorry they may be loosing their hangar.
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It's a state agency. I'm not convinced they're tearing the airport up

It sounds like they want to tear down the hangars in order to purpose build something for firefighting ops. They may be able to tie down outside, just need to vacate the hangars.

This could be worse.
 
Racerx said:
It's a state agency. I'm not convinced they're tearing the airport up

It sounds like they want to tear down the hangars in order to purpose build something for firefighting ops. They may be able to tie down outside, just need to vacate the hangars.

This could be worse.
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As far as we know it is the structures on the airport and there are plans to keep the ramp.
 
M20K said:
I feel bad for the club... But what does their lease actually say? Is there a 90 day clause in the lease?

If there is, start looking for a new spot. Letters to people to try and stop a NJ State agency from doing something with their own property and within their rights (**IF** the lease says they can) is not going to go anywhere.

Again, sorry they may be loosing their hangar.


EDIT: Fixed where I said "Federal" agency by mistake.
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I'm not really sure what their leases say as my club is not based at the airport. We were asked by some of the people based there to get the word out because they're our friends, neighbors, and fellow pilots. It's a courtesy I'd give to anyone, including you if asked, to help any way I can because it could be us tomorrow.
 
That is a gorgeous airport! At 1900' with water on both ends, it allows one to pretend they're landing on a carrier. :)

Also, it's where Harrison Ford learned to fly, before he made the movie 6 Days 7 Nights. He sought out Damian as his instructor.

I remember my first flight there as a student. My instructor said I was ready for a shorter runway, and this one was pretty because it had water on both sides. No problem, I thought, with a mental image of water to the left and right firmly fixed in my head. I was kinda shocked when I first saw where I'd be landing.

I no longer live in NJ, but if the impending closure is as bad as stated, I'm happy to contact the congress critters listed. They may not yet realize I'm gone.


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planenut777 said:
I'm not really sure what their leases say as my club is not based at the airport.
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planenut777 said:
It's a courtesy I'd give to anyone, including you if asked, to help any way I can because it could be us tomorrow.
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Well.... Not really if you want to be "coutious" about it. You need to find out the details before dumping on someone that may not be doing anything wrong. (State agency in this case, but even if it was a city/county airport, you need to be sure of the facts.)

There may be something going on and maybe you could rally the troops. But my gut tells me to find out what the lease says first. It may be that there was always a chance they could be asked to leave and they are upset that it is actually happening.
 
M20K said:
Well.... Not really if you want to be "coutious" about it. You need to find out the details before dumping on someone that may not be doing anything wrong. (State agency in this case, but even if it was a city/county airport, you need to be sure of the facts.)

There may be something going on and maybe you could rally the troops. But my gut tells me to find out what the lease says first. It may be that there was always a chance they could be asked to leave and they are upset that it is actually happening.
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OK you got it. Mods just go ahead and lock or pull down this topic. @M20K is right.
 
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planenut777 said:
OK you got it.
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So from your snide answer I assuming you've acually taken the time to find out if the **possible** reason I pointed out is valid or not?

Didn't think so.. But go ahead, blame it on the other guy even if you don't know if they DID or DID NOT do anything wrong.
 
planenut777 said:
Here you go. https://www.facebook.com/peter.delisa/photos/d41d8cd9/28958222437132841/
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Still waiting for the reason you think they are wrong. I still don't know since that is not the **LEASES** you posted. So yes, they got a letter saying they have to leave. Someone hand wrote on the letter they are lying.... none of that is proof of anything.

1) What does the lease say. Is the lease multi year, annual, monthly? When does it expire? Is there a clause that says they can evict them at any time with 90 days (or any time) notice?

2) Is it not their building? So granted it may be bad PR, but if it is their building, then so what if they are going to tear it down?

I get that it is emotional for people. But I'd like to hear the facts, as I'm sure other would, before jumping on the band wagon to trash them for evicitng the flight club when it could be something the flight club is, or SHOULD have been, aware of since they moved in.

Sure, yell at me all you want if it makes you feel better. But do you really not see my point that you need the facts before jumping all over people?
 
midwestpa24 said:
What part of that letter are you reading as they are closing the airport? They are giving tenants notice to vacate a building that is rented, because they are renovating, or replacing, said structure. The sky is not falling just yet, unless you have any other evidence than that letter.
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I came across the letter this morning. I was working off verbal info from someone else. It's not even the 90 day notice that I was told it was that bothered me the most. I owe the forum an apology for wating their time on this.
 
planenut777 said:
I came across the letter this morning. I was working off verbal info from someone else. It's not even the 90 day notice that I was told it was that bothered me the most. I owe the forum an apology for wating their time on this.
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You're not the first and won't be the last on here or the Internet that got wound up about something that might not be a thing. But you're one of very few that ever apologized for it! Hope it all works out well.
 
www.facebook.com

New Jersey Forest Fire Service

Andover-Aeroflex Airport Operations Update The Andover-Aeroflex Airport, operated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, will remain open as a public-use airport and continue offering outdoor grass...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

The NJ Forrest Fire Service put out a statement. The hangar complex requires repairs, but they are only allocating enough capital to upgrade hangar space for their needs; not for tenant space.

They claim outdoor tie down will remain available, though that is illusory considering the aircraft that can use a runway as short as theirs are mainly "tube-and-rag", and will not fare well outdoors, particularly in the northeast winters.

Andover-Aeroflex Airport Operations Update

The Andover-Aeroflex Airport, operated by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, will remain open as a public-use airport and continue offering outdoor grass tie-down rental space for aircraft.

Due to extensive capital improvements needed to the hangar, the size of the hangar complex is being reduced and will only be available for use by the Forest Fire Service. Airport operations, outside of the hangar, will continue without interruption.

The Forest Fire Service looks forward to continuing to serve visitors as a public-use airport.
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AOPA is getting involved, perhaps surprisingly, since it doesn't involve business jets.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media...ion-effort?utm_source=ebrief&utm_medium=email

I wonder how much use the NJ Forest Fire Service will really get out of the airport. It's in a good location for protecting the forests in the northern part of the state, but it's a 1980' runway, with absolutely no potential to be lengthened. Fine for helicopters and spotter aircraft, but how big of a loaded fire bomber could get out of there?
 
GaryM said:
AOPA is getting involved, perhaps surprisingly, since it doesn't involve business jets.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media...ion-effort?utm_source=ebrief&utm_medium=email

I wonder how much use the NJ Forest Fire Service will really get out of the airport. It's in a good location for protecting the forests in the northern part of the state, but it's a 1980' runway, with absolutely no potential to be lengthened. Fine for helicopters and spotter aircraft, but how big of a loaded fire bomber could get out of there?
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I'm assuming the SEATs (Air Tractors) could use it. They probably don't use much bigger in NJ.
 
Pending what the lease agreement says. I'm not sure what action there is. Prolonging the inevitable. Evictions happen.
 
GaryM said:
AOPA is getting involved, perhaps surprisingly, since it doesn't involve business jets.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media...ion-effort?utm_source=ebrief&utm_medium=email

I wonder how much use the NJ Forest Fire Service will really get out of the airport. It's in a good location for protecting the forests in the northern part of the state, but it's a 1980' runway, with absolutely no potential to be lengthened. Fine for helicopters and spotter aircraft, but how big of a loaded fire bomber could get out of there?
Click to expand...
 
I remember seeing the air tractors when I was flying with my dad out of 12N growing up. This was back in the 90s, early 2000s.
 
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