Northeast Philadelphia Airport

Northeast Philadelphia Airport is a public airport located approximately six miles northeast of Center City in Philadelphia County. The airport is situated near the Delaware River and is close to several major highways, including Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1. It is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia and serves as a reliever airport for Philadelphia International Airport. The airport is also home to several flight schools, including the FlightSafety International academy, which provides training for pilots from around the world, including those from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

● History

The airport has a rich history dating back to the 1940s, when it was used as a training facility for pilots during World War II. The airport was originally known as the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 111th Fighter Wing base and was later renamed Northeast Philadelphia Airport in the 1960s. Over the years, the airport has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of new runways and taxiways, as well as the construction of new hangars and facilities. The airport has been used by several notable aviation companies, including Cessna Aircraft Company, Beechcraft, and Piper Aircraft, and has also been visited by famous pilots, such as Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, who flew with National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and Women Airforce Service Pilots. The airport has also been used for filming several movies and television shows, including The Sopranos and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which featured actors like James Gandolfini and Mariska Hargitay.

● Facilities

The airport features two asphalt runways, including a 7,000-foot runway and a 5,000-foot runway, as well as several taxiways and aprons. The airport also has a number of hangars and facilities, including a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tower and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. The airport is home to several fixed-base operators (FBOs), including Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support, which provide a range of services, including fueling, maintenance, and catering, to aircraft and pilots from companies like NetJets, Flexjet, and Wheels Up. The airport also features a number of amenities, including a restaurant, a lounge, and a gift shop, which are popular with visitors from nearby La Salle University and Temple University.

● Operations

The airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by a team of experienced air traffic controllers and airport personnel. The airport handles a wide range of aircraft, including general aviation planes, corporate jets, and helicopters, which are operated by companies like Sikorsky Aircraft and Bell Helicopter. The airport also provides a range of services, including fueling, maintenance, and repair, to aircraft and pilots from organizations like the National Guard, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard. The airport is also a popular destination for flight training and is home to several flight schools, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which provide training for pilots from around the world, including those from Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin.

● Incidents

The airport has experienced several incidents over the years, including a number of accidents and near-misses. In 2011, a small plane crashed on takeoff from the airport, killing the pilot and injuring several passengers, who were taken to nearby Temple University Hospital and Albert Einstein Medical Center. In 2015, a helicopter crashed on the airport's grounds, injuring the pilot and a passenger, who were treated by Philadelphia Fire Department and Philadelphia Police Department personnel. The airport has also been the site of several security incidents, including a 2018 incident in which a man attempted to breach the airport's security perimeter, which was thwarted by Transportation Security Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents.

● Geography

The airport is located in the Northeast Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, near the Delaware River and the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border. The airport is situated in a densely populated area, with several residential neighborhoods and commercial districts nearby, including Frankford and Bridesburg. The airport is also close to several major highways, including Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, which provide easy access to nearby cities like New York City and Baltimore. The airport's proximity to the Delaware River also makes it a popular destination for seaplanes and amphibious aircraft, which are operated by companies like Cessna Aircraft Company and de Havilland Canada. The airport is also near several parks and nature reserves, including Fairmount Park and Pennypack Park, which are popular with visitors from nearby Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania.

Category:Airports in Pennsylvania