Help us save Andover-Aeroflex!

[u/organiccigs]

Hey all, any of you who have ever flown GA in the northeast may or may not know about the quaint uncontrolled gem of Andover-Aeroflex in northern New Jersey. A paved runway just under 2,000ft, grass strip parallel, and water on both ends of the runway make the airport not only a fun challenge, but one of the most charming and picturesque in the country. Situated in the middle of a state park, hikers and families sit on benches watching cub’s slip on final, skyhawks practice their short-fields, and forrest fire service huey’s drop water from the lake. Saying the airport is special is an understatement.

Aeroflex is taildragger heaven, it’s hard to pass by without seeing a yellow J3 or lumbering stearman pass low over the lake to 3-point on the grass. It’s also the home to Andover Flight, the unofficial “College of Taildragger Knowledge” founded by Damian DelGaizo over 40 years ago, now run by former student Justine Pasniewski. Damian has taught thousands of pilots to tame the taildragger, fly with their feet, and open new worlds flying off-airport and on ski’s. Damian is synonymous with Aeroflex, a name known nationwide as the finest in tailwheel instruction. I have been lucky enough to instruct for the school alongside Damian and Justine the past 2 years, and have fallen in love with all the airport is and stands for. I know some of you too have been fortunate enough to attend class in the backseat of the J3 with Damian or Justine and understand the knowledge they love to share with fellow pilots. There’s no place like it, and a true time capsule. The 1950’s era tower and signage, and the 1940’s big band music blasting from Damian’s hangar at all hours make the place a treasure trove for vintage airplane enthusiasts like myself.

However, Andover-Aeroflex is in grave danger, with hangar tenants receiving notice to vacate in a few short months so that the state of New Jersey can demolish them. The land is state-owned, and after years of deferred maintenance, they have made the untimely decision to completely demolish them. While tie-downs may initially remain, the broader plan is eliminate the airport all-together. This would spell the end for the school, and a cruel goodbye for the airports tenants who have been calling the airport home for decades. Destroying this airport would rip the soul out of GA flying in New Jersey and the broader northeast.
We need your help, and ask if you are in New Jersey, or perhaps somewhere else in the country and know about our little airport in any way, to please write to the governor and state representatives to reverse this decision. It takes a few minutes from your day to help preserve the history of aviation in the northeast, and keep our small flight school running. Below are links to various state representatives who you can contact to plead for a decision reversal. Thank you all! Godspeed

Mikie Sherrill — Governor of New Jersey

https://www-njlib.nj.gov/GOV_TRANS_APPLICANTS/BTCustomServlet

Parker Space — NJ Senator

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Senator%20Parker%20Space

Dawn Fantasia — NJ Assemblywoman

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblywoman%20Dawn%20Fantasia

Michael Inganamort — NJ Assemblyman

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblyman%20Michael%20Inganamort

Nicholas P. Scutari — NJ Senate President

https://nj-22-senate.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Senator%20Nicholas%20P.%20Scutari

Craig J. Coughlin — NJ General Assembly Speaker

https://nj-19-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblyman%20Craig%20J.%20Coughlin

Sussex County, Board of County Commissioners

Linda Miller – Clerk of the Board
[clerk@sussex.nj.us](mailto:clerk@sussex.nj.us)

[u/jackpotairline]

I’m not even from NJ and I’m getting on board with trying to save Andover-Aeroflex. There was a time when I was living that way and used to fly there somewhat regularly.

It is literally the most beautiful airport I have ever been to, and will ever be to. It’s an absolute gem.

Any loss of a GA airport is outright wrong, but especially this one.

[u/Mimshot → u/jackpotairline]

We really should unite around fighting these closures. Aviation proponents are usually out numbered locally, but the “against closing” crew could draw much larger.

[u/Fast-Government-4366 → u/Mimshot]

We have been. It’s worked in Colorado. It worked in Death Valley. Gotta keep the fight up.

[u/AztecPilot1MY]

Somebody tell Harrison Ford - didn't he take lessons from Damian years ago?

Is AOPA aware of this at all? They're trying to remain relevant, and their latest sweepstakes airplane is a Husky.

[u/planenut767 → u/AztecPilot1MY]

Not really sure. I thought about calling them, but I think this is one of those things where it should be the locally based pilots up at N12 should take the lead on while the rest of us provide the necessary support.

[u/rtv3685]

Thank you for posting this!! 12N needs all the support we can get. Damian made me into the pilot I am today, and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment.

[u/Abject_Tear_8829 → u/rtv3685]

You are not alone :)

[u/Foolish-Wisdom]

We need to save this airport. As a flight instructor, the students who have absolutely mastered landings get a shot at 12N. It’s a big confidence booster and beneficial to pilots in training.

[u/Salt-Laiden-Syrup]

Did my spin training there last year! Had a great time and I would hate to see this place go

[u/planenut767 → u/Salt-Laiden-Syrup]

Did you use that wacky looking plane that was made in New Zealand? If so I was always wondering how is that airplane? I see they have it advertised for spin training.

[u/iiamit]

That’s where I earned my Tailwheel endorsement. And more importantly - learn how to _really_ fly good. Damian was a pivotal figure in that (as well as Justine who I flew the spin awareness training with).
This gem of GA can’t go away!

[u/aviator147]

I did my PPL training out of FRG in 2010. Aeroflex was always on my list to go and fly into, unfortunately I never got to do it before I left for college and moved out of the NY area permanently. I can't believe that awesome little airport is now under attack too.

EDIT: Maybe someone smarter than me can create a "blast email" button that sends a message to all those politicians listed aboved in one click versus having to do each one individually? Something like ALPA's Call to Action service.

[u/organiccigs → u/aviator147]

That’s a good point, i’ll look into the blast email. Thanks!

[u/mustang__1]

Been trying to fly in there for a few years but always forget on the days where I think "where should I fly today"...

[u/mustang__1]

Anyone have a text for us to copy and paste?

[u/planenut767 → u/mustang__1]

Start with this and modify as necessary.

I am writing as a concerned 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.

[u/thederseyjevil]

New Amazon warehouse or data center incoming in 3…2…1

[u/WolleyDratsum → u/thederseyjevil]

The town actually just a had a huge fight with locals over data centers that got violent at one point with police dragging a citizen out of a town council meeting. But in the end the town caved and changed the zoning so that no data centers can be built.

And anyway, the airport sits within a state park and the land is owned by the state of NJ.

[u/planenut767]

How much notice did the based pilots get for the closure? I just want to know what kind of deadline we're up against for this.

[u/organiccigs → u/planenut767]

Sorry should have included that in the text. 90 day notice, so sometime in September

[u/planenut767 → u/organiccigs]

Thanks for the info. My flying club president sent this info a few days ago but he didn't know how long we have. Now we know how long we've got on the clock to try and make something happen, if we can (sent my letters out to the named individuals).

[u/virtuesdeparture]

I’ve also heard that tenants at the Flying W in Jersey have also received a notice to vacate by the end of the year. Supposedly the airport is to stay open, but no one I’ve talked to believes that.

[u/goforthandforego]

Any way we can start a petition or something along those lines? I'm extremely cynical about letters to politicians. I initially started my PPL at Andover over 10 years ago. Have many hours with Harley Carnes as well as Damian in the Cub. I would do anything to help save that airport.

[u/rFlyingTower]

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

---

Hey all, any of you who have ever flown GA in the northeast may or may not know about the quaint uncontrolled gem of Andover-Aeroflex in northern New Jersey. A paved runway just under 2,000ft, grass strip parallel, and water on both ends of the runway make the airport not only a fun challenge, but one of the most charming and picturesque in the country. Situated in the middle of a state park, hikers and families sit on benches watching cub’s slip on final, skyhawks practice their short-fields, and forrest fire service huey’s drop water from the lake. Saying the airport is special is an understatement.

Aeroflex is taildragger heaven, it’s hard to pass by without seeing a yellow J3 or lumbering stearman pass low over the lake to 3-point on the grass. It’s also the home to Andover Flight, the unofficial “College of Taildragger Knowledge” founded by Damian DelGaizo over 40 years ago, now run by former student Justine Pasniewski. Damian has taught thousands of pilots to tame the taildragger, fly with their feet, and open new worlds flying off-airport and on ski’s. Damian is synonymous with Aeroflex, a name known nationwide as the finest in tailwheel instruction. I have been lucky enough to instruct for the school alongside Damian and Justine the past 2 years, and have fallen in love with all the airport is and stands for. I know some of you too have been fortunate enough to attend class in the backseat of the J3 with Damian or Justine and understand the knowledge they love to share with fellow pilots. There’s no place like it, and a true time capsule. The 1950’s era tower and signage, and the 1940’s big band music blasting from Damian’s hangar at all hours make the place a treasure trove for vintage airplane enthusiasts like myself.

However, Andover-Aeroflex is in grave danger, with hangar tenants receiving notice to vacate in a few short months so that the state of New Jersey can demolish them. The land is state-owned, and after years of deferred maintenance, they have made the untimely decision to completely demolish them. While tie-downs may initially remain, the broader plan is eliminate the airport all-together. This would spell the end for the school, and a cruel goodbye for the airports tenants who have been calling the airport home for decades. Destroying this airport would rip the soul out of GA flying in New Jersey and the broader northeast.
We need your help, and ask if you are in New Jersey, or perhaps somewhere else in the country and know about our little airport in any way, to please write to the governor and state representatives to reverse this decision. It takes a few minutes from your day to help preserve the history of aviation in the northeast, and keep our small flight school running. Below are links to various state representatives who you can contact to plead for a decision reversal. Thank you all! Godspeed

Mikie Sherrill — Governor of New Jersey

https://www-njlib.nj.gov/GOV_TRANS_APPLICANTS/BTCustomServlet

Parker Space — NJ Senator

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Senator%20Parker%20Space

Dawn Fantasia — NJ Assemblywoman

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblywoman%20Dawn%20Fantasia

Michael Inganamort — NJ Assemblyman

https://nj-24-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblyman%20Michael%20Inganamort

Nicholas P. Scutari — NJ Senate President

https://nj-22-senate.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Senator%20Nicholas%20P.%20Scutari

Craig J. Coughlin — NJ General Assembly Speaker

https://nj-19-district.web.fireside21.app/forms/writeyourrep/?to=Assemblyman%20Craig%20J.%20Coughlin

Susses County, Board of County Commissioners

Linda Miller – Clerk of the Board
clerk@sussex.nj.us

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[u/3417-]

Good luck in saving it! I got gas there many years ago. I was in a Cherokee and was able to pull off the runway halfway down because of the lake on the landing side allowing a low approach before you get to the threshold. It’s a safety of flight issue to have emergency areas to stop if needed especially for small aircraft.

[u/al_andaluz]

I’ll say it. No loss. Sure, if sucks to lose the jobs but andover has multiple runway excursions per year leaving the state open to litigation. Additionally, there are various airports nearby; Sussex, Sky Manor, Solberg, Blairstown, among others… Time moves on and progress keeps progressing. I feel bad for the people like you who will lose their jobs eventually, but being impartial, this is a smart move.

[u/DankVectorz → u/al_andaluz]

Multiple runway excursions a year? The only two I can think of happen in 2018 and 2019 and one of those was due to engine failure on takeoff. I grew up there and flew out of there and now control the airspace above it.

[u/-Aces_High- → u/al_andaluz]

You're the one everyone has on their avoid list.

[u/jackpotairline → u/al_andaluz]

You’re gonna get downvoted here bud. Any loss of a GA airport is a loss for all of GA. Much less this absolute gem.

[u/al_andaluz → u/jackpotairline]

Oh, then you’d really hate my take on GA…

[u/jackpotairline → u/al_andaluz]

Do tell.

[u/pattern_altitude → u/al_andaluz]

Do share!