By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — In celebration of Princeton Airport’s 100th anniversary, the grandson and great-grandson of the airport’s originator, flew from their home in Illinois to the airport on Saturday in a vintage aircraft.
”The airplane that they are flying in is a 1931 Brunner-Winkle Bird, which has none of the modern equipment,” said Naomi Nierenberg, one of the owners of the airport.
Richard Newhouse’s grandson Robert and great grandson Hayden flew from Illinois for a gathering to celebrate the contributions the family has made to aviation, as the family started the precursor to the airport, Newhouse Flying Service.
Richard Newhouse, a German immigrant, moved to Rocky Hill and began to design and build planes in 1911, which flew from what was then Bohmer’s Field.
A series of centennial events designed to commemorate the life of Mr. Newhouse were planned, which began with a pancake breakfast on May 15 and ends with an open house on Sept. 17.
The airport today is run by Dick Nierenberg, his wife, Naomi, and their son, Kenneth. When they bought it in 1985, it was about 50 acres. Under their purview, the airport has doubled in size.
Today, the airport is a public use general aviation airport. They have a flight school with about 100 students, a pilot’s shop and a privately owned helicopter service. More of the pilots who frequent the airport are there for pleasure not for business, said Mrs. Nierenberg.
The airport averages 120 takeoffs or landings per day, said Kenneth Nierenberg. The airport now has almost 90 T-hangars. Aviation companies are based at Princeton Airport including Raritan Valley Flying School, Analar Corp, a helicopter charter, Nassau Helicopters, Pacific Air Corp and Air Transport Charter Service.
For more information, see www.princetonairport.com.
