NY Field To Reopen Soon Under New Name

Tom Brelsford, a retired Connecticut State Environmental Police Sergeant, wasn't fooling when he bought the old Newhart Airport near Venice, NY last April 1st. Brelsford announced this week plans are well underway to reopen the field this spring.

The small country airport in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, was abandoned about twelve years ago. In November of 2004, Mr. Brelsford, who lives in Connecticut, became aware that the property was for sale by word of mouth. After visiting the old airport property in December 2004, Brelsford saw an opportunity to save the airfield.

The property had been divided into two pieces to be sold for housing. After two other offers to buy one of the subdivided pieces of the property failed to close, and weeks of negotiation to purchase the property in its entirety, Brelsford was successful.

With new ownership will also come a new name: "Owasco Airfield." The airport will serve nearby town of Moravia, NY, which lies just east of the field.

The airport has one 1860' x 50' turf runway, 11/29. There is also a T-Hangar for five airplanes, and tie downs on the airfield.

The Master Airport Record for the field has been filed with the Federal Aviation Administration, and an airport identifier is expected to be assigned to the airfield in about two months. In addition, the airport should be identified on the next edition of the New York Sectional Chart.

Brelsford told Aero-News he hopes to attract both sport aviation and general aviation pilots to the airfield, and he would also like to have an aviation club utilize the airport.

FMI: www.moraviany.com/main/