As we close out 2020, we could say, “Goodbye & Good Riddance”. However, despite the pandemic, the TFRs, the contentious election, and the economy, we are still here and we look forward to a better 2021. Everyone of us have been challenged by all of it, but there is something very comforting to be able to fly. So once we were able to comply with the regulations, we managed to continue our operations. We had to reevaluate our operations, and we did it better and safer.

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We’d like to thank all of you for your patience and cooperation. Some of you fulfilled long held dreams of learning to fly or buying an airplane. We hope that 39N has been a place that helped you through these goals.

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The editor of this newsletter would like to thank the many contributors who help bring our news monthly to you: Debbie Nosko for Mike Nosko; Peter Rafle for his monthly column; the flight coordinators who get the frantic phone calls from me; Don Denny for the Tigers; Ben Gazdowicz for the mini-fly-ins. This is a collaborative effort and together we apprise you of the latest.

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So to all of you, safe flying, safe distancing, stay healthy and a very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

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AMENDED HOLIDAY CHARITY

James Nierenberg, Coordinator

After amending our annual Santa event, we were advised by the County that they didn’t even want gift donations as the office of frontline workers were overwhelmed by Covid.

James will now lead a drive to collect canned and/or box food for which we will have boxes in the lobby. Please be generous, as the need is huge. As boxes fill, James and his helpers, will bring the food to area foodbanks. It would help if you bring your donations by December 20th.

Additionally, there will be an envelope for checks made out to the Foodbank of Somerset County.

PLEASE BE GENEROUS!!!

IT REALLY FLIES!!!

We have all watched that “big plane” on the ramp which arrived almost two years ago from South Africa. The hurdles that the owner had to jump to make this DC-3 airworthy in the United States, were monumental, but lo and behold, it finally flew at the end of November.

Check out this video courtesy of Zinger Aviation Media

(You might want to wear earplugs.)

SPRUCING UP 39N

Through the generosity of Montgomery Boy Scout Troop 46, we have received this lovely wreath once again. Many thanks to its members for making 39N enjoy the holidays.

Andrew Divine, presenting.

For appointments: 609-921-3100

 Schedule: 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.

As a precaution, please start the airplane engine at low RPM so the oil can move around and lubricate. The most damage is done in the first start of the day.

If it snows, if you are a tie down or hangar customer, and you want to fly, please contact the front desk and we will plow you out.  Please give us sufficient notice so Ken can do several aircraft at once while he’s out plowing.

(Now that Ken said all that, it will not snow. Hopefully.)

AIRPLANE FOR SALE

1979 Cessna 185F

Total time 6250

Engine time since new 2590 (2001)

Time since top overhaul 1100

Prop time since new STC 3 blade 2590

Fresh annual – Complete logs – No major damage

Factory corrosion proofed

Hangared in Midwest

Garmin 530W

PS Engineers audio panel

King KX 155 with GS – King KN64 DME

King KT76A trans – Garmin 330ES ADSB Trans

S-Tec 50 Autopilot – 950 Stormscope

Second set of copilot instruments

Garmin 496 GPS – Speed Kit/ Gap seals

Rosen Visors – Oil separator

GAMI injectors – ROBERSON STOL KIT

STC Exhaust extensions

JPI 700 Engine monitoring system

New metal panel

Landing lights in the wing tips

Observation windows

Excellent paint and interior

One of a kind excellent aircraft

Asking 159,500

Contact Ken Nierenberg at 609-731-4628 for details

From the Right Seat

Chief Pilot Emeritus Peter Rafle

One of the happiest days of my life was when I was hired by Pan American Airlines in August 1968. I was in one of the last two classes hired, starting on the same day, one in New York, and mine, starting in San Francisco.  I had joined the airline that had established the longest over water route system the world had ever seen. The story of Pan American starts with Juan Trippe, the founder and deal maker who had the vision, ordered the airplanes capable of the range and load capacity to make it all work and made the deals to carry the whole enterprise.

Juan Trippe was a U.S. Naval Aviator in World War I. His father was a New York City based banker with strong political connections in Washington D.C. and beyond. Returning home after WW I, Trippe attended Yale University, where he established a flying club in New Haven. Juan was always in touch with the “right” people, including his Yale classmates who proved very helpful in later years. After Yale, he left his father’s bank and set up Long Island Airways, willing to fly in any direction. After it failed, he tied up with John A. Hambleton, another ex-WWI pilot, and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney. They puta bid in for the New York-Boston airmail route in competition with Colonial Air Transport. This, too, failed but through manipulations, and the mail contracts, in 1927, they acquired the Aeromarine Airways route which operated a fleet of Fokker 10 passenger aircraft to fly between Key West and Havana. They renamed the company Pan American Airways.

News from the Princeton Airport’s Flying Tigers

Don Denny, President

Dear Fellow Pilot,

Our monthly Zoom PAFT meetings have had an enthusiastic crowd. Last month we heard short presentations on using ATC in McGuire Airspace, Jack Brown’s seaplane school, and FAA airport design considerations. There was lot of commentary.

The next meeting of the Princeton Airport Flying Tigers will be Wednesday December 9 at 630P. Starting at 7 we will have 3 presentations:

“Notes on NY Class B transition”, Don Denny

Flying the FRZ to the MD3 airports, Don Denny

 “How the Wing got its lift”, Philippe Marchal

All are invited. If you are not currently a PAFT member or are not already on the PAFT mailing list, please contact Don Denny at ddennyjr@gmail.com for the Zoom link for the meeting. Student Pilots are welcome.

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Mini-Fly-Ins:

Ben Gadzowicz

PRINCE AIRPORT FLYING TIGERS, MINI FLY-INS – PAFT-MFI

There was still some good weather in November for outdoor breakfasts allowing for 5 PAFT-MFI’s.  With the surge in COVID cases and uncertain restrictions on travel in neighboring states we made all of our trips to NJ Airport diners. I am not sure what December will bring but it seems Verna’s Flight Deck at KMIV has a partially enclosed area with heaters that maybe a frequent MFI stop. Join us!

You can find the PAFT-MFI restaurant guide on our website:

How about an avionic improvement for your holiday gift. Need some guidance, Santa, (a.k.a. Ken Nierenberg) is currently available to guide you through this decision. Safety & Useful.

COLD WEATHER’S COMING

Be prepared. Get your plane ready for winter flying. Think about installing a pre-heater, so when things are stressful or you just

want to fly, you are able to do so readily.

Pre-Heater Installation – $300.+

PRINCETON AIRPORT’S PODCAST

The Princeton Flying School Podcast is hosted by Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In each episode Pete interviews some of the pilots and colorful characters here at Princeton Airport, as well as sharing a few flying stories and teaching tips of his own gained from his 55 years in the air.The Princeton Flying School Podcasts are recorded at the Princeton Airport and are produced by HG Media. You can hear our podcast on our PFS website as well as on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST EPISODES:

Podcast #11 Guest: Colin Unsworth

Podcast #10 Guest: Bill Ducharme

Podcast #9 Guest: Colin Unsworth

Podcast #8 Guest: 1st Lieutenant Robert McClellan

Podcast #7 Guest: Col.John ‘Skip’ Rawson

Podcast #6 Guest: Chief Pilot, Jeff Slutsky

Podcast #5 Guest: Col.John ‘Skip’ Rawson

Podcast #4 Guest: Naomi Nierenberg

Podcast #3 Guest: John Nierenberg

Podcast #2 with Pete Rafle

Podcast #1 with Pete Rafle

Raritan Valley Air, Raritan Valley Flying School and Princeton Flying School’s

HONOR ROLL

is current, thanks to our webmaster.