Princeton Airport News – December 2016

It’s unbelievable that we are ending another year and we are planning the annual visit from Santa.
We’d like to thank you for joining the Princeton Airport family and your patronage throughout the year. Hopefully, you have been as happy here as we are to have you here.
All the best for the holiday season and the best for the New Year.
The Nierenbergs
ANNUAL SANTA FLY-IN
Help, Contribute, and Participate!!!
     41 years ago, someone suggested that Santa fly into 47N for area children.  Naomi was all for it, but Dick, although he had the physical qualities, would have nothing of it.  So a Santa suit was purchased and Santa arrived safely.  No gifts, just Santa.
As time passed, we added that Santa would bring in wrapped gifts (parents brought ahead of time) and distribute then. Soon we added the requirement of something for the needy, and ever since, this event has grown and gets better every years as we continue to tweek the event.  Off course, in ’85 we brought the tradition to 39N.  It is now the best event of the year.
On Saturday, December 24th at 11:00 a.m. Santa (a.k.a Airport Manager, Ken Nierenberg) will fly into the airport with gifts for area children. To participate you must bring a wrapped gift for you child or children with the name in large print. (Gifts should not exceed 12 inches. If you have more than one gift, tie them together so Santa can give them together.)
You must also bring an equal number of unwrapped gifts for NEEDY children. In the lobby there will be two chimneys to receive the respective gifts.  The gifts for the needy will go to Mercer County Board of Social Services for distribution in time for Christmas.  (We’re their largest donor, so please help.)  Get your gifts in early, as Santa dispenses them in the order we receive them. (Collection starts Nov. 25th.)
So, 39N patrons – how can you help? Santa needs lots of elves to make sure that everything goes smoothly and safely. We get hundreds of kids and their respective families, so it’s a very large crowd.
To insure safety, we’ll need people inside and out while everyone arrives. We give out cocoa and cookies while Pat McKinley entertains the children with holiday songs. Chris Maslanka provides music and the sound system.
     Once Santa arrives by plane, we have to make sure there is smooth path for him into the hangar.  Call of signup at the front desk. We set up at 9:30 am. Thanks. Fondly, Santa
From the Right Seat
Peter Rafle, Assistant Chief Pilot
 
Each December, I think of the year nearing completion. One more month of flights to put in my logbook, planning for flights to new destinations, taking time to consider new tools and accessories for the flight bag and airplane.  Also, since December is my birth month, I stop to think of the good times, and the not so good ones, I have had since I started flying.
My first solo in March of 1964 was on a cold day.  My instructor took me out to an auxiliary field and as he jumped out of the T-34B, he shouted, “Make it quick so I don’t freeze!” I have to admit I slowed down on the downwind legs of each circuit so I could savor being alone.  His comfort was the last thing I was thinking about.

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 WINTER OPERATIONS
 
Make sure that your aircraft has the correct oil appropriate for winter weather.  If you have a question, ask Ken for advice.
Also, in case we have snow – and you are planning to fly, please contact Steve for help to get your airplane airborne.  If you are not flying, we will get to your airplane as we continue snow removal, unless you need it sooner.  Thanks.

NEWS from the
PRINCETON AIRPORT FLYING TIGERS

Come Join Us !
January Meeting:  New Year – New Venue for our dinner meeting.  Come join us on January11 at 6:00 pm at Confectionately Yours – for a Dutch Treat dinner at 7:00.  Located at 3391 Route 27, Franklin Park, NJ 732-821-6863 the restaurant is in Franklin Town Center on west side of the highway. (Ice cream is outstanding. Join us for the New Year.
PAFT closed out its 2016 schedule of events with a November dinner meeting at Cafe Graziella in Hillsborough.  Unfortunately, the last fly-in of the year had to be scratched due to very high winds and big, wet snow flakes.
But before the year ends, PAFT members have one more thing on their calendars – becoming a Santa’s Helper at the December 24th Santa fly-in at 39N.  Members help with parking, watch over the children’s (and adult’s) safety as Santa pulls up to the flight line and, just as important, serve hot chocolate and cookies to the guests.
Speaking of guests, if you’d like to find out more about PAFT, just visit www.paft-nj.org for membership and other information.  Dues are $25 per year per family and the only membership requirement is an interest in aviation.

AIRPLANE FOR SALE
 
1967 Piper 140
Total time: 3965
Engine time 140 SMOH
Recent teardown inspection
June Annual

Garmin 430W
King KX 125

S-tec 20 AP
King Trans
Garmin 340
Audio panel; Powerflow exhaust; Good paint and interior.
Holiday Special – Reduced – $29,900.

Contact Ken Nierenberg at 609-731-4628

PRINCETON FLYING SCHOOL
CONGRATULATIONS
Private Pilot:
Joe Lovell/CFII Michael Siniakin
?????January Safety Seminar?????

Save the date:  January 26, 2017, 7:00 pm, we will be having our

First Annual Aviation Knowledge Game Show.    
Come show off your knowledge of aviation related topics in a quiz show format.
Prizes, food, and fun for all who attend. We’re looking forward to seeing you all in the pilot lounge.
 (Your Host for the event will be our chief pilot:  Jeff Slutsky).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE & ALL

This holiday season, let’s think of those less fortunate and donate non-perishable food to the needy.  We have a box in the lobby, so please be generous and help us fill several boxes.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – December, 2016
  3rd: FAA Medical Doctor 8:00 – 11:30
16th:  Deadline for gifts for Santa & the Needy
21st:  Winter begins
24th:  Santa flies into Princeton Airport 11:00 am.
Christmas Eve
25th: Merry Christmas
CLOSED – self service available
26th: Happy Kwanzaa
31st: New Year’s Eve
JANUARY 2017
 1st:  Happy New Year (Closed)
26th:  1st Annual Aviation Knowledge Game- Save the date.
Looks like 2017 is off to a great start!!!!!

We’ve had a great past two months at Platinum Helicopters. The weather was perfect and so were the flying conditions. We would like to congratulate Dalton O’Rourke on earning is Commercial Helicopter license and his instructor Alison. We would also like to congratulate Jeff MacKenzie on his CFII. Jeff is the newest member of the Platinum Helicopters Team.
We hope everyone had a great holiday and look forward to another great month. This month we are taking 10% off all of our demo flights for anyone who is interested in a first time lesson. Contact Alicia to book your flight. 609.937.8787
Getting in the Holiday Spirit
Brothers (from left to right) John and Andrew Devine of Boy Scout Troop 46 of Montgomery Township presented a wreath to Princeton Airport.
FAA Medical Doctor Michael Noskobronze-medicine-symbol.jpg

Saturday, December 3, 2016
8:00 am – noon

Walk-ins ’til 11:30
Call 609-921-310 609-921-3100 for appointment.

1st, 2nd & 3rd Class medicals.

You must bring the confirmation number with you when you come for your medical appointment.
No walk-in without a confirmation number.

41 Airpark Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 921-3100


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