Wurtsboro–Sullivan County Airport is a privately owned, public use
airport
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial Aviation, air transport. They usually consist of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surf ...
located two nautical miles (4 km) northeast of the
central business district
A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
of
Wurtsboro
Wurtsboro is a Village (New York), village located on U.S. Route 209 in New York, U.S. Route 209 in the town of Mamakating, New York, Mamakating in Sullivan County, New York, United States, near its junction with New York State Route 17 (which i ...
, in
Sullivan County,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
,
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. It is privately owned by a local pilot. It is commonly called Wurtsboro Airport.
It is believed to be the oldest operating
glider airport in the nation.
The airport is located along
Route 209
The following highways are numbered 209:
Canada
* Manitoba Provincial Road 209
* Nova Scotia Route 209
* Prince Edward Island Route 209
* Quebec Route 209
* Saskatchewan Highway 209
China
* China National Highway 209
Costa Rica
* Natio ...
and the
D & H Canal in the town of
Mamakating.
History
The grave of Manual Gonsalus, the first non-Indian settler, is located on the Airport. His tombstone is dated April 18, 1752, and is one of the oldest tombstones in the state.
Before it was an airport, it was the Helm Family farm. The first known operator of the Wurtsboro Airport was Lee Lord, he gave flying lessons in the 1920–30s. In the 1940s Wurtsboro Airport was bought by Anthony Barone Sr, and his wife Theresa from Hoboken, NJ. Anthony raised his family on the airport, in the old homestead that used to reside there. The Barones kept it a family business for many years, with both George and his sister Patricia running the business. Patricia and George ran a very well known airport offering glider and airplane rides, lessons and rental with many private clientele from New York City. Including the late
Christopher Reeve
Christopher D'Olier Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, activist, director, and author. He amassed Christopher Reeve on stage and screen, several stage and screen credits in his 34-year career, including playin ...
, who used to fly gliders out of the airport.
The airport is located on Barone Road in the town of Mamakating, just north of the village of Wurtsboro.
After the sudden illness and subsequent deaths of both George and Patricia Barone, the airport was sold by the remaining family.
In 2006 the airport was acquired by Shalom Lamm. In February 2021 it was purchased by one of the pilots who grew to love the airport over the many years he flew there. The airport still offers scenic airplane and glider rides today, as well as flying lessons, aircraft rental and aircraft maintenance.
Facilities and aircraft
Wurtsboro Airport covers an area of which contains four unlit
runway
In aviation, a runway is an elongated, rectangular surface designed for the landing and takeoff of an aircraft. Runways may be a human-made surface (often asphalt concrete, asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (sod, ...
s:
* Runway 5/23: 3592 x 60 ft (1095 x 18 m), Surface: Asphalt
* Runway 14/32: 2101 x 120 ft (640 x 37 m), Surface: Turf
* Runway 18/36: 1250 x 150 ft (381 x 46 m), Surface: Turf
* Runway 9/27: 1100 x 110 ft (335 x 34 m), Surface: Turf
Services available:
* Glider and Power Rides, Instruction, Rental, Sales and Tow.
* Hangars and Tiedowns.
* Attended 0900 – 1700.
There are 97 aircraft based at this airport: 52 single-engine and 45 gliders.
See also
*
List of airports in New York
References
External links
Historic Wurtsboro Airport flies high after transformationWurtsboro Airport takes off again under new leadersWurtsboro Airport*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurtsboro-Sullivan County Airport
Airports in New York (state)
Transportation buildings and structures in Sullivan County, New York