Shorter days and colder weather leads to less news and activities. January has come to a close without a major snow storm as we endured last year, however the overcast skies, cold temperatures and winds have grounded many operations. But it’s over. Only 40 days until daylight savings time and 48 days until spring. Ground Hog Day is tomorrow and for a change, we hope the ground hog doesn’t see his shadow so that we will have an early spring. Here’s to safe flying and longer daylight. |
NEWS from the PRINCETON AIRPORT FLYING TIGERS Twenty PAFT members kicked off the 2017 dinner meeting schedule at Confectionately Yours, a combination old-fashioned ice cream parlor, candy shop and restaurant in Franklin Park. Certificates were presented to four members that had achieved Lifetime Membership status for 20 years of membership. The restaurant was also the perfect place to present Naomi Nierenberg with a birthday cake! The next dinner meeting will be held at The Hopewell Bistro in Hopewell on Wednesday, March 8th with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Guests are always welcome at PAFT events. For more information, www.paft-nj.org |
 AIRPLANES FOR SALE 2004 American Champion Aircraft Explorer 7GCBC Total Time: 1355 Complete Logs 2012 All new fabric and paint by the factory Garmin 796 Garmin 250XL Garmin 327 Trans with encoder FP5L Digital fuel flow Metal belly Extended baggage with baggage door Oil filter 800 X 6 Tires Wheel pants Excellent in and out. Call Ken 609-731-4628 Coming soon: 1977 Piper Archer – Great price & Great Airplane. Call Ken – 609-731-4628/ Ken @princetonairport.com |
Results of the 1st Annual Aviation Trivia Night Thanks to everyone who attended our first Annual Aviation Trivia Night. It was a fun and educational evening for us all. We want to send out a particular shout out to Josh Koslov who won the grand prize of a brand new Beyerdynamic ANR headset, We hope he has many wonderful flights with it. Good job to all of our other participants who made it such a great night, and received a free pin for their participation. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and more free Pizza, cookies, and prizes! |
From the Right Seat Peter Rafle, Assistant Chief Pilot Usually when we think about airplane ground incidents or accidents, the image conjured up is one of an airplane running off the runway, or prop strikes. Sometimes a fuel truck or some other vehicle hits an airplane. Signs and runway lights sometimes, mysteriously, jump out and get hit or run over. Recently, there was an incident that was so bizarre that I feel compelled to tell you all about it. At Trenton Airport there has been a lot of work done on taxiways and other construction involving many workers. To support the projects, many portable toilets were placed conveniently for the use of the contractors. These were regularly serviced and their presence was unremarkable. Near to all this construction, there is a large tie-down area for G.A. aircraft, and a ramp for transient and based corporate aircraft of all types. During the many months of construction there were no conflicts between airplanes and trucks, bucket loaders, and asphalt machines. Construction near the tie down area was completed and the portable toilet was unmoored and the sanitary fluid was drained. It was planned to have the toilet loaded and removed a few days later so the tank for the “blue fluid” was left empty. Unfortunately, this lack of “ballast” would have serious consequences. All pilots know that weather forecasting is more art than science. Weather systems move through the area and the general effects can be predicted but the actual wind strengths and other details can remain unknown until that moment when…….. |
PRINCETON FLYING SCHOOL Congratulations – January Highlights 1st Solos: Jacinto Azevedo – CFI Brandon Broadway Thomas Salter-Cid – CFI Brandon Broadway Rob Vicari – CFI Brandon Broadway |
Princeton Airport’s Informal IMC Group Princeton’s informal IMC Group began 2017 with a meeting the evening of January 9th. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:15 PM in the Princeton Airport 2nd floor pilot’s lounge and it runs about 90 minutes. This group provides an opportunity to compare knowledge and experience on equipment and IFR operations, and network with other pilots who share these interests. The next one will be on March the 14th (no meeting in February due to the conflict with Valentine’s Day). All are welcome to participate (no need to have an instrument rating, or even a pilot’s license). There is nothing to join and no dues. |
GOOD NEWS!!! The Route 518 bridge is expected to be completed by the end of February. We regret the inconvenience so many of you had to endure.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS – February, 2017  2nd: Groundhog Day 14th: Valentine’s Day 20th: Presidents’ Day |
VALENTINE”S DAY Candy is fattening,  Flowers die. Give your loved one A piece of the sky!! Fly your loved one to a destination with a restaurant. Try an Introductory Flying Lesson. Give her/him an upgrade for the airplane. And more. |
FAA Medical Doctor Michael Nosko To be determined 8:00 am – noon Walk-ins ’til 11:30 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. |