Linden Airport
Encyclopedia
Linden Airport , also known as Linden Municipal Airport, is a small general aviation
airport located along U.S. Route 1&9
in Linden
, a city
in Union County
, New Jersey
, southwest of New York City
. This airport is publicly owned by the City of Linden.
, a now closed (2005) and recently demolished (2009) General Motors automobile factory across the street from the airport called Linden Assembly
, produced military aircraft.
When World War II started Grumman Aircraft Corporation contracted with the recently created Eastern Aircraft Corporation (a GM
company) to take over the manufacture of the Wildcat and Avenger aircraft for the US Navy
and its Allies. This would allow Grumman to focus on the development and production of Hellcat. The Wildcat was manufactured in Linden, NJ and towed across the street to the Linden Airport for test flying and delivery.
Construction of Linden Airport was started in the spring of 1942 and completed by October of 1942. During the war Eastern Aircraft produced approximately 3,600 FM-1 and FM-2 Wildcats. After the war, Linden Airport was turned over to the city of Linden which still owns and operates the airport under contract.
The airport served as a temporary road racing
course in 1954 when Al Keller
drove a Jaguar to victory in the then-NASCAR
Grand National Division (now known as the Sprint Cup Series). It was the last win by a non-American made nameplate until Kyle Busch
, driving a Toyota, won the 2008 Kobalt Tools 500
, spanning 53 years and nine months.
The original airport with its intersecting runways and large hangar remained intact until 1998 when the City of Linden, needing more tax-ratable property decided to divide up the underutilized airport to create a shopping center called Aviation Plaza on the north side of the field. A new airport was built on the south side complete with new taxiways, hangers and parking areas. The only remaining part of the original airport is the west to east (9-27) runway.
The airport is one of a few remaining general aviation
airports and the only uncontrolled (no control tower) airport in the New York
metro area. Its close proximity to New York City and relatively light air traffic makes it an ideal location for basing news helicopters for New York's news channels. In addition, the airport is home to many sightseeing and commuter helicopters that fill the skies over New York.
To keep the spirit of aviation alive for a younger generation, Aviation Explorer Post 224 was formed in the mid-1990's at Linden Airport. This post was formed by a group of Linden based pilots and airport management. Over the years, the Post has introduced young people to the exciting world of aviation many of whom have continued on to become private and commercial pilots.
In 2010, Linden Airport hosted the New York City round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
:
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport located along U.S. Route 1&9
U.S. Route 1/9
U.S. Route 9 is a U.S. highway in the northeast United States, running from Laurel, Delaware north to the Canadian border near Champlain, New York...
in Linden
Linden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
, a city
City (New Jersey)
A City in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, southwest of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. This airport is publicly owned by the City of Linden.
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a now closed (2005) and recently demolished (2009) General Motors automobile factory across the street from the airport called Linden Assembly
Linden Assembly
Linden Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Linden, New Jersey. The factory opened in 1937 to build Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile vehicles...
, produced military aircraft.
When World War II started Grumman Aircraft Corporation contracted with the recently created Eastern Aircraft Corporation (a GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
company) to take over the manufacture of the Wildcat and Avenger aircraft for the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and its Allies. This would allow Grumman to focus on the development and production of Hellcat. The Wildcat was manufactured in Linden, NJ and towed across the street to the Linden Airport for test flying and delivery.
Construction of Linden Airport was started in the spring of 1942 and completed by October of 1942. During the war Eastern Aircraft produced approximately 3,600 FM-1 and FM-2 Wildcats. After the war, Linden Airport was turned over to the city of Linden which still owns and operates the airport under contract.
The airport served as a temporary road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
course in 1954 when Al Keller
Al Keller
Al Keller was an American racecar driver.Keller participated in the NASCAR "Strictly Stock"/"Grand National" series from 1949 to 1956 with 29 career starts...
drove a Jaguar to victory in the then-NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National Division (now known as the Sprint Cup Series). It was the last win by a non-American made nameplate until Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Thomas Busch, is an American NASCAR driver and team owner. He currently drives the No. 18 Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the No...
, driving a Toyota, won the 2008 Kobalt Tools 500
2008 Kobalt Tools 500
The 2008 Kobalt Tools 500 was the fourth race in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and was held on March 9, 2008 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, located outside the Georgia state capital...
, spanning 53 years and nine months.
The original airport with its intersecting runways and large hangar remained intact until 1998 when the City of Linden, needing more tax-ratable property decided to divide up the underutilized airport to create a shopping center called Aviation Plaza on the north side of the field. A new airport was built on the south side complete with new taxiways, hangers and parking areas. The only remaining part of the original airport is the west to east (9-27) runway.
The airport is one of a few remaining general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airports and the only uncontrolled (no control tower) airport in the New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
metro area. Its close proximity to New York City and relatively light air traffic makes it an ideal location for basing news helicopters for New York's news channels. In addition, the airport is home to many sightseeing and commuter helicopters that fill the skies over New York.
To keep the spirit of aviation alive for a younger generation, Aviation Explorer Post 224 was formed in the mid-1990's at Linden Airport. This post was formed by a group of Linden based pilots and airport management. Over the years, the Post has introduced young people to the exciting world of aviation many of whom have continued on to become private and commercial pilots.
In 2010, Linden Airport hosted the New York City round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
Facilities
Linden Airport covers 188 acres (76 ha) and has one runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
:
- Runway 9/27: 4,137 x 100 ft. (1,261 x 30 m), Surface: Asphalt