80 Proud Years of Aviation that
Way back in 1927, an undeveloped area of East Farmingdale was chosen by Fairchild Aircraft for construction of a factory and airport to build and fly aircraft. Over the past 80 years, Republic Airport transformed from that small fledgling operation to a complex that built thousands of fighters used by the Allies to win World War II, then to the creator of the first jet aircraft used in the Korean War, then to the designer of the tank- busting A-10. As the defense industry began to diminish on Long Island, the role of Republic Airport as a general aviation facility became ever more important, supporting the needs of recreational fliers and businesses located throughout the region. Cessnas, Pipers, Mooneys, and other propeller aircraft started using the airport in greater numbers each year while corporate aircraft brought executives to this vibrant marketplace. Nowhere is Republic’s strategic role more obvious than outside its fence and all along the Route 110 corridor which many major corporations call their home. Republic Airport is now meeting their needs by making it more efficient for their employees to conduct their worldwide business and provide an incentive for these companies to locate and remain on Long Island. |
While Kennedy, LaGuardia, and MacArthur Airports provide efficient commercial service to locations throughout the world, to remain competitive in the business world, companies need the flexibility of flying their people to destinations from Long Island, and Republic serves that crucial need. In addition, the airport has played host to many special events. From the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds basing their aircraft here for annual air shows sponsored by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservations Department, to visits by President Bush while campaigning in 2004 and by President Clinton on the campaign trail in 2007, to Donald Trump when an episode of his television show, “The Apprentice” was filmed at the airport, Republic has been the welcoming venue for many events that have been enjoyed by Long Islanders. In the decades to come, Republic Airport will remain a general aviation airport addressing the strategic need of keeping Long Island’s business world connected to a global market. SheltAir will be there, working closely with the aviation community to ensure that we are responsive to the well being of all Long Islanders who depend on a robust economy and regional job growth through “air power.” |
