Aviation Digest

Hidden Gem, Skyhaven Airport

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By Andrew Pomeroy C.M.

The early morning silence is broken as I announce my entrance into the right downwind for Runway 33 at Skyhaven Airport in Rochester, NH. The world below is bathed in that early morning amber glow during what we photo geeks call “the golden hour.” Rounding out from base to final approach over the golf course; throttle back, flaps down, windsock hanging limp, the Cessna floats down for final approach. The PAPI’s tell me what I already know and we’ve actually got it all set up perfectly for once. I have some time to relax and take it all in as we glide slowly down final.

The deep emerald green of the well-maintained grass is framed nicely with the curvy, hilly ribbons of asphalt taxiways that give the airport a pleasant, homey almost pastoral aesthetic. Can airports be beautiful? I may be biased but I believe this one really is and strikingly so.

I note right away that there is already activity below. The doors to the Skyhaven Flying Clubs hangars are open and the planes are out. On the tie down ramp sits a Citation Jet that came in sometime last night and I recognize a local physician tying down his beautifully restored Tri-Pacer on the ramp. With practices in a couple states he uses his Piper to commute between them. Skyhaven is conveniently located right down the street from his local office. He’s one of a handful of physicians and businessmen who regularly fly to do the same. So I’m not the only one flying to work this morning, nor am I even the first today.

I taxi up to the ramp near the terminal building. Currently, the terminal is getting a much needed facelift and modernization to include improved ADA access and ADA accessible restrooms. The Skyhaven Airport is owned and operated by the Pease Development Authority, and as the name implies we manage both the Portsmouth International Airport (KPSM) and the Rochester Skyhaven Airports (KDAW). This allows us to take some of those big, international airport resources and apply them here at the smaller community GA airport. The current terminal renovation is an example of this as the work is being done in house by some of the Portsmouth Airport’s talented maintenance staff.

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Read the September Aviation Digest Issue here

Save the date, June 4: Wings & Wheels at Skyhaven Airport

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There will be aviation adventures, a car & motorcycle show, Kid Zone games, crafts, exhibits, live music and dance performances, concessions, raffles, and more! The event runs 10:00am until 3:00pm.

Wings and Wheels is hosted by the Rochester Police Department, the Rotary Club of Rochester, Skyhaven Airport and Pease Development Authority. There is no admission charge.  Attendees are encouraged to make a donation that will benefit local Rochester nonprofits.

This is an affordable family friendly event with something for everyone! Community vendors and local organizations will offer games and crafts for kids, a Kid Zone area and a food court with local food trucks including: Costin’s Concessions, Forkin Grub and Miss Polly’s. Visit the car, motorcycle and aircraft show with hundreds of vintage and custom vehicles and aircraft that families can see up close. Enjoy a variety of performances on the entertainment stage including the Just Right Brass quintet, Zac Francis and friends and students from Studio 109 Dance and McDonough Grimes Irish Step Dance group.

The Young Eagles program will also be hosting free flights for children. Click here for more information on their program and how to sign up.

Check out our Facebook pages for news and updates on Wings and Wheels Rochester!

There is no charge for admissions. Donations are welcome.

Congratulations and farewell to Alan Caldwell

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A heart felt congratulations and farewell to Alan Caldwell, who helped maintain the Skyhaven Airport to the highest standards for the past ten years.  Al never missed a snow storm, and was always cheerful and willing to help anyone that flew into Skyhaven Airport in Rochester, NH.

Al, we thank you for your service and wish you the best in your retirement.

Andrew B. Pomeroy, C.M.
Manager, Aviation Planning and Regulatory Compliance
Pease Airport Management Department
KPSM & KDAW
(603) 433-6536

T-Aviation’s business signals growth for Skyhaven Airport, region

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The Nov. 1 opening of T-Aviation, an aircraft maintenance facility at Skyhaven Airport, fills a need and supports continuing commercial growth in the region.

“It’s apparent the Tri-City communities continue to attract commercial and industrial companies to the region, and we want to make sure those entities have efficient access to the world,” said Paul Brean, executive director of the Pease Development Authority, which oversees Skyhaven.

T-Aviation received approval from the PDA board in October to lease a 4,800-square- foot hangar, where it can service up to five fixed wing general aviation airplanes at a time, according to Mark Pride, the business manager who runs the facility with founder Thomas Morgera.

“The immediate goal is a general aviation maintenance facility that primarily services the Skyhaven aircraft owners, as well as the general Seacoast area and the Lakes Region,” said Pride. “I know they’ve been lacking this kind of service, this kind of capability for a few years now, and we’re very happy to now accommodate them.” An active flying club with 80 members and the Civil Air Patrol use Skyhaven and T-Aviation’s services.

T-Aviation (skyhavennh.com/) is taking a phased approach to its development as it looks ahead to tuning its services to the needs of the region.

Read more here.

 

Skyhaven Airport partners with T-Aviation

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Skyhaven Airport (DAW), the public-use airport in Rochester operated by the Pease Development Authority, has announcedt T-Aviation, LLC is now operating out of its Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 5.

The family-run and veteran-owned T-Aviation has been providing world-class maintenance and logistics support for aircraft maintenance, parts acquisition, and project management in commercial, business and general aviation industries since 2017.

As of Nov. 1, T-Aviation handles scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities, annual/100/50-hour inspections, engine/propeller/airframe services, minor modifications/repairs and more at Skyhaven Airport, which serves the Seacoast and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. All maintenance tasks are performed using original equipment manufacturer maintenance technical manuals and data.

“This new partnership will help rejuvenate the aviation maintenance capabilities and services at Skyhaven Airport,” said Andrew Pomeroy, Manager of Aviation Planning and Regulatory Compliance for Pease Development Authority, who oversees Skyhaven Airport. “T-Aviation is locally owned and brings years of maintenance and business management experience to the table. I believe they are just the right fit for the Skyhaven Community and share our vision of growth and a bright future for the Rochester Skyhaven Airport.” Read more

Flying cars may be coming soon to NH airport – and road – near you

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In government parlance, they’re “roadable aircraft” as opposed to flying cars, and they may be coming to airports and roads in and around Portsmouth and Rochester sooner than later.

That’s because a bill signed by Gov. Chris Sununu on July 24 makes New Hampshire the first state in the country to create a legal framework for registering, licensing and inspecting these vehicles that are part car/part plane.

“It’s great that New Hampshire is trying to get in ahead of the curve,” said Paul Brean, executive director of the Pease Development Authority, which oversees two airports where he sees opportunities for these craft – Portsmouth International Airport at the Pease International Tradeport and Skyhaven Airport in Rochester.

According to Brean, Pease has “vast aeronautical parcels” available for companies that might want to assemble and test these roadable aircraft. And Skyhaven, he said, offers owners of these vehicles the opportunity to “drive to the airport and take to the skies.” Read more here

New Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Shop

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We’re excited to announce a great new addition to the Skyhaven Airport community: T-Aviation LLC, an aircraft maintenance and repair shop. As of November 1, T-Aviation will operate out of Skyhaven’s Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 5 next to the terminal building. Stop by and say hello to Thomas E. Morgera, IA, A&P, and Mark S. Pride, Business Manager. This dynamic team brings years of maintenance and business management experience to the table and they are excited to serve our community.

This is a great opportunity to get your next annual inspection scheduled and done… right here on the field!

Find out more. Contact them at 603-403-8061 or email: Mark.Taviation@gmail.com

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Skyhaven Airport unveils longer runway

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With the air smelling like rain, and the sky blanketed in stubborn clouds refusing to disperse, a new runway was unveiled that would allow pilots an easier time landing in conditions much like those overhead.

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Skyhaven Airport on Saturday to celebrate a new runway that was finished in November. The runway was lengthened from 4,000 feet to 4,200 feet and added Omni directional approach lighting system to assist pilots in locating the runway.

Bill Hopper said the new runway allows planes a safety buffer in the case of bad weather or lack of visibility.

“It increases the approach capabilities of the runway,” he said. “In less visibility we’re still able to operate.”

Peter Brucker, the chair of Skyhaven Airport advisory council, said this is a critical step for the infrastructure in the area.

“It is a very integral part of NPIAS (National Plan of Integral Airport Systems),” he said. “It is now more likely for businesses to base their planes at Skyhaven.” Read more.

NH airports to receive $15.2 million: federal CARES Act

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New Hampshire airports are slated to receive $15.2 million in federal funding in response to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s congressional delegation said Tuesday.

The funding through the $2 trillion CARES Act has been allotted and deposits will soon be received directly by the airports, according to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s office.

Most of the money — $12.1 million – has been slated for Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. An additional $1.6 million is slated for the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease.

Lesser amounts will be distributed as detailed below:

  • Lebanon Municipal (Lebanon) – $1,060,370
  • Dillant-Hopkins (Keene) – $69,000
  • Laconia Municipal (Laconia) – $69,000
  • Boire Field (Nashua) – $69,000
  • Berlin Regional (Berlin) – $30,000
  • Claremont Municipal (Claremont) – $30,000
  • Concord Municipal (Concord) – $30,000
  • Dean Memorial (Haverhill) – $20,000
  • Parlin Field (Newport) – $30,000
  • Plymouth Municipal (Plymouth) – $20,000
  • Skyhaven (Rochester) – $30,000
  • Mount Washington Regional (Whitefield) – $30,000

The state’s airports, like their counterparts across the country, have been hit hard by a drop in passengers as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Read more here.  Watch the video