Classic Airport Has Seen Better Days

It's not clear what will become of the troubled Sussex Airport in New Jersey, but it's looking increasingly unlikely that the town of Wantage will take it over.

The airport was opened in 1944 by Paul Styger, and is considered a reliever for Newark Liberty. But the New Jersey Herald reports Styger, who is 87 years old, has not maintained the facility, has been trying to sell it for four years, and has pleaded guilty to embezzling 378-thousand dollars in FAA grants intended for airport improvements.

A citizens advisory committee looking into purchase by Wantage Township has concluded the airport will need 5-million dollars in improvements over the next five years, only 3-million of which would be covered by FAA funding, and the town would be hamstrung by grant assurances which would not allow alternate land uses.

Consultant Ronald Price of QED Airport and Aviation Consultants says it's not clear what will happen to the airport if Styger, who faces 5 years in prison, is no longer around, and the land can't be used for anything but an airport due to existing FAA grant conditions.

FMI: http://wantagetwp.com/municipal/2009/notices/positiononairport.shtml