Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Plans on display: Eagles Nest Airport (31E), West Creek, New Jersey.

EAGLESWOOD TOWNSHIP — Eagles Nest Airport owner Peter Weidhorn is hoping to break ground for a hangar and fuel tank project in late fall, following a community day at the airport next month.

Weidhorn said the event is being held so the public can experience the airport and the educational, recreational and economic dimension it adds to the community.

In May, the Planning Board approved Weidhorn’s project plans for 36 airplane hangars at the airport and tree cutting for the development. Weidhorn, 64, also received approval from the township Land Use Board for a 6,000 gallon self-serve aviation fuel tank.

The airport has been underused for many years and currently has no facilities for pilots or their airplanes. The airport was on the verge of folding — but Weidhorn fought the township for the past two years after unveiling plans for improvements.

Weidhorn said he has spent more than $150,000 on permits and preparations since 2009 to get the airport in operation again. The site has been zoned as an airport for the last 35 years.

He said he is still working on contracts for the fuel tanks at the site and securing the remaining permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection for tree removal. Trees will be removed as a safety precaution for flying.

The fuel tank will be installed at the site first and then construction of the airplane hangars will begin in the late fall or early winter. The hangars will feature 18 hangar bays in two separate pre-fabricated steel buildings, he said.

“I would also like to add a taxiway and in the future add half a dozen residential hangar homes,” he said. “These types of residences are all over the country where people live with their planes right next to their home.”

He said he would need to go back to the township boards and receive approval for a hangar home project.

He said next month’s open house — the third annual — is a great way for families to learn about recreational flying, with free airplane rides for children and an opportunity to learn about the building and flying of radio-controlled airplanes.

“We’ve done this before and last year we had about 200 people there and about 60 airplanes at the site,” he said.

Source:   http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com

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