Jet Hangar Coming To Farmingdale Republic Airport, Community Speaks Out

FARMINGDALE, NY — Fifty acres of developable land at Farmingdale Republic Airport has been bought by SR Aviation Infrastructure with the planned development of hangar facilities.

Somera Road Aviation Infrastructure President Jonathon Reeser said the new hangars will have 28-foot hangar door heights, accommodating modern aircraft. The focus of SRAI is on private aviation infrastructure.

According to its website, SRAI is a New York and Nashville-based real estate investment and development firm focused on the acquisition, development, and leasing of aviation-related properties across the U.S., including hangar space, corporate flight departments, flight schools, and more.

After this purchase of 50 acres of land, construction will begin this year.

"Upon completion, the hangars will be available for lease for corporate flight departments, government entities, based aircraft, and more," Reeser said.

This planned development will be named SRAI Farmingdale, according to Reeser. He added that it will "uniquely serve the greater New York region, one of the strongest and most supply-constrained private aviation markets in the U.S."

With the proposed construction and development of a private jet hangar, local community members are voicing their opinions on the matter – some supporting the venture, citing that they look forward to seeing jets. In contrast, others have concerns about noise and traffic levels.

Longtime Farmingdale resident Nancy Cypser said she lives within the Town of Babylon, in what is considered the "noise-sensitive" area near the airport. She has lived in her current house for 47 years and in Farmingdale for more than 50 years.

She is also the president of the Woodland Civic Association, Inc., and president of the Long Island Civic Alliance, Inc. The latter was formed by nine civic associations that have common concerns.

Republic Airport is one of the busiest airports in NY, behind John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. According to ATADS, an FAA website, Republic Airport had 15,203 total operations in January. This number is about 2,000 more than Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Unlike JFK and LaGuardia, which are both located near water, Republic Airport is centrally located amongst residential neighborhoods.

"No matter who develops the land, any additional air traffic is of concern to anyone living under the flight paths," she said. "We expect development of the five parcels now under the control of SRAI to increase the disruption and noise we already experience."

Cypser said she is concerned there is a lack of experience in airport construction.

"Sonora Road has only been in business for ten years, and SR Aviation Infrastructure was formed only 15 months ago," she said.

She added that SRAI has been willing to engage with residents.

"We have been assured by contacts that are familiar with SRAI that they have been fully vetted and are competent to handle this project," she said. "SRAI is willing to meet with the community to answer questions, which is encouraging."

Still, she said the community’s main worry is the potential for additional air traffic, adding that she believes MacArthur Airport is underutilized in comparison.

"For the people living in proximity to the airport, there is little or no benefit, just noise and pollution," she said. "Jobs don't necessarily get filled by people that are the most disturbed by the traffic."