SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 33
Descargar para leer sin conexión
This book would not have been made possible without my infinite curiousity to learn more. My perserverance has led
to a wonderful discovery to share with the rest of the world. It’s about time that we all learn about a hidden gem in the
midst of a great city. Thank you to my professors, my friends, my family, and most importantly, GOD.




                             By Elisabetta DiStefano
FBF | 3




                                                    “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
                                                     				—Amelia Earhart




2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 5
                                                                                                                                                          2011 © Elisabetta DiStefano “Jamaica Bay: Bird Life”




                                                              Preface


In             the summer of 2011, I was
               ready to put some mileage on
my newly purchased olive green Canondale
mountain bike. Each bike ride was treated
as a challenge for me. Within each of these
challenges, I have learned more about my
surroundings. Although I am a native New
Yorker, I moved to an area of Queens,
Howard Beach, that I was only partially
familiar with. Unfortunately, it was only
until this past summer that I really ventured
on uncharted territory on the bike path.
Every day I was looking forward to my next
cycle ride. I would track my adventures on
an iPhone application called: ‘Cyclemeter’.
The first landmark that I reached was,
Carnarsie Piers.
                            After reaching the Riding Academy, I wanted to go over the      matter, I still wanted to learn more. It was a relentless
The Piers are also          Mill Basin bridge further into Brooklyn. Bare in mind, I was    pursuit to have an understanding of what F.B.F. really was
part of the Gateway         not prepared for the monumental moment where I finally          and what it needs … an identity. The reason it has been
                            biked to Floyd Bennett Field. In awe of the enormous green      an unresolved green space with several abandoned area is
National Recreation         space, I just kept riding and discovering.                      because every textbook on aviation fails to mention FBF‘s
Area (National Park         	          This marked the moment where my life shifted.        history. So before we move forward, we need to take a look
                            Having made the decision of using this as part of my thesis     at our past.Floyd Bennett Field is two times the size of
Service) along with
                            research it led me to realizing my passion in urban planning.   Central Park that doesn’t come close to being used on the
several other areas         Diving deeper into the subject of this desolate space, I        same level. My hope for this book is to unveil a hidden gem
along Jamaica Bay.          struggled with its bureaucratic undertone. As a sore subject    that is in our New York Urban backyard.




4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
295
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ro




                                                                                                                                                                    T




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 C
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ss




                                                                                                                                                              HA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Is                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      FBF | 7
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                la
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    QUEENS




                                                                                                                                                            AN




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 nd
New Jersey




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Parkway
                                                                                                                                                        M
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        495
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   y
                                                                                                                                 78                                                        278                                                                        Parkwa
                                                          NEWARK
                                                                                                                 JERSEY                                                                                                                      ns        on
                                                                                                                  CITY                                                                                                              R    obi
                                                                                                                         Ellis Island
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            North
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ck
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Grasslands Management
                                         Newark                                                                Immigration Museum                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Park area

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Ja
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Area (no access)

                                    International                                                                 Statue of Liberty
                                          Airport                                                              National Monument                     Governors Island                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Parking                           Campground
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            0         0.25 Kilometer
                                                                                                                                                     National Monument
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Car-top boating                   Wildlife viewing                                  0                    0.25 Mile
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Fishing                           Bus stop
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   678

                                                                                                                                                                    New York                                                                                                                             27                                                                                              RAPTOR POINT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       y                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Picnic area
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     wa
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   rk               Cross
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Pa                                                                                              27
                           ELIZABETH                                                                                                  UPPER                                                           27                            Be
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         lt
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Bay Blvd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Permit
k w ay




                                                                                                                                      BAY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Frank Charles                       John F. Kennedy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Memorial Park                       International
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Airport
ar




                       Goethals Bridge
P




                                                                                                                                                                                           Fl
                                                                                                                                                            BROOKLYN




                                                                                                                                                                                            at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Canarsie




                                                                                                                                                                                             bu
                                                                                                                Fort Wadsworth                                                                                                 Pier




                                                                                                                                                                                                 sh
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Permit




                                                                                                                                                                                                  Av
                                                                                                                  Visitor Center      Verrazano-                                                                                             Jamaica Bay                                                                                                                                              M
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       HANGAR B




                                                                                                                                                                                                      en
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Bergen                                                                                                                                                                                      od
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Wildlife Refuge




                                                                                                                                                                                                      ue
                                                                                                                                      Narrows                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  el
                            ke




                                                                                                                                                                                                               Beach                                                                                                                                                                                                Fl
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         yi
                                                                                                                                      Bridge                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ng                                                                                                                                      JAMAICA BAY
                        npi




                                                                                                   278                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Fi
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        el
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             d
                       Tu r




                                                                                 STATEN ISLAND                                        Fort                                                                                  Floyd
                                                                                                                                      Wadsworth                               Ryan Visitor Center                           Bennett                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Permit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Field
                    s ey




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           MILL BASIN
                                                                                                                                      LOWER BAY




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sh
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           INLET
                                                                                                                                                                    B e l t P a r kw a y




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Permit
                Jer




                                                                                                                                       Hoffman Island                                                      Plumb




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       eP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Beach Channel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Archery Range




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ar
                                                                                                                                       (no public access)                                                  Beach                                                       Drive




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           kw
                w




                                                                                                           d




                                                                                                                  Miller Field
                                                                                                         ar




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ay
                                                                R i c hm o n d P a
              Ne




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Park
                                                                                                         ev




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Jacob Riis Park                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Gateway Environmental




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Bi
                                                                                                                                         Swinburne Island
                                                                                                        ul




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Nursery




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ke
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Study Center
                                                                                                    Bo




                                                                                                                                         (no public access)




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 wa
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (New York City
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Fort Tilden




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   y/R
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Board of Education)
                                                                                                                     STATEN ISLAND                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         North Forty
                                                                                          an




         95                                                                                                                                                                    Breezy Point                            JAMAICA BAY UNIT




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ockw
                                                                                          yl
                                                                                   rk w




                                                                                                                         UNIT
                                                                                          H




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Ente
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                rpris




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ay Gateway Greenway
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          e Ro




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Shore Parkway
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Ecology
                                                                             ay




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ad
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Village
                                                                                                     Great Kills Park                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Permit      Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Permit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Administration
         Outerbridge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              US Park Police NY Field Office
            Crossing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Rang                          Armed Forces
      PERTH                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Natural Area
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          e   r Ro
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ad             Reserve Center

     AMBOY                                                                                                                                                                                       ATLANTIC                    OCEAN




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Blvd
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          n et t
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Ben
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    RYAN VISITOR CENTER




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           d
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Pond




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Floy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Aviation Rd

                                                             RARITAN BAY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HANGAR ROW HISTORIC DISTRICT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Visitor Contact
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Station
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Gil H
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Rockway Gateway Greenway                                                                                                                                       Me m o d g e s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  orial
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bridg
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Flatbush Avenue                                                                                 e
                                                                                                                                                              Sandy Hook Lighthouse                                                  GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
                                                                                                                                           Fort Hancock
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Shore                                                                       Marina
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Park land                                                                                                                          Parkway                          SPORTS CONCESSION
                                                                                                                                                                           SANDY HOOK UNIT                                                                                                                                                                                                        Bikeway
 9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Park water                                                                                                                                                                                                     DEAD HORSE BAY                                                                                            ROCKAWAY INLET
                                                                                              36
                                                                                                                                                   Ranger Station                 Sandy Hook                                                                   Legislative boundary
                                                                                                                                                                                  Visitor Center
                           Gar
                                 d en
                                        Sta
                                           te
                                                               New Jersey                                                                                                                                                                North
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           0                    3 Kilometers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Floyd Bennett Field Park Map (Gateway National Recreation Area) © 1998 National Park Service

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           0                                   3 Miles
                                                Pa
                                                   rk




                                                                                                   35
                                                    ayw




               6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 9




                                                                   1931–41
                                                      floyd bennett field (FBF)
                                                                                                                                     1972–NOW
                                                                                                                                     Gateway NPS aquisition
                                                     “Golden aGe of aviation”
                                                                                                                                                                                  FUTURE
                                    1928–31                   aviators AT FBF
                                                                                                                                      FBF COmmunity Garden

                               Barren Island
                                                    Record Breaking flights
                                                                                                                                       Kissena Bike raceS                          2012–beyond
                                                                                                                                        Aviator Sports & Recreation

                                                                                                                                         other activities
                                                                                             1941–45                                      Ryan center (Administration building)
                                                                                  World war II / U.S. Navy

                                                                                     FBF Forefront of
                                                                                   aviation tecnology        1946–72
                                                                                      U.S. Coast guard       COLD war / Post ww II
                                                                                  world’s first police        “Cradle of aviation”
                                                                                       aViation unit




8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
1 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 1 3




                                                                                  Barren Island
                                        P          rior to the opening of Floyd Bennett Field in
                                                   1930, a compacted dirt runway existed on the
                                        island and was generously referred to as “Barren Island
                                                                                                         industrial leaders, had been planning to create a major shipping
                                                                                                         harbor out of Jamaica Bay. By 1927 the city’s Department of
                                                                                                         Docks had spent well over $100,000,000 of city, state, and
                                        Airport”, but was used primarily by one pilot who took           federal money on the project. The city owned Barren Island,
                                        customersup for joy-rides. The municipal airport site            and could achieve two objectives by dredging the main
                                        was chosen and designed by famed aviator Clarence D.             Jamaica Bay channel while using the extracted sand to raise
                                        Chamberlin. His preference was Barren Island, a 387-acre         the level of the island to a height suitable for the airport.
                                        (1.57 km2) marsh with 33 small islands in Jamaica Bay, off       Also, many New York governmental leaders tought that it
                                        the southeastern shore of Brooklyn. The site was favorable due   made sense to locate the airport near this new industrial
                                        to the lack of obstructions nearby, and because it was easily    and commercial devolopment.
                                        identifiable from the air.                                       	    Second, Clarence D. Chamberlain, the American
                                        	    After much debate over the merits of other sites within     aviator who become famous for the Atlantic immediately
                                        the city (including Governors Island, the purported favorite     after Lindbergh, was hired by the city as a consultant on
                                        of New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia), the site was         aviation. He preferred the Barren Island site over others
                                        approved. Six million cubic yards of sand were pumped from       because of its location. There was nothing that would
                                        Jamaica Bay to connect the islands and raise the site to 16      interfere with the landing or departing at the field for the
                                        feet (4.9 m) above the high tide mark. The new airfield’s        airplanes. Since the location of the island was located on
                                        modern, electrically illuminated, concrete runways (when         Jamaica Bay, the field would easily accomodate seaplanes,
                                        most “airports” still had dirt runways and no night landings)    which were becoming very popular and were considered
                                        and comfortable terminal facilities with numerous amenities      to be the most common aircraft to serve the Atlantic
                                        made it among the most advanced of its day, earning a rating     coastal area. Finally, the third reason, which is also the
                                        of A-1 (the highest) by the United States Department of          most important, is that Barren Island was already owned
                                        Commerce at the time. There were 3 key reasons why Barren        by the City of New York, so acquiring it was simple. All
                                        Island site was selected by the Hoover Committee. First, since   other proposed sites that were recommended by the
                                        the late 19th Century the city and federal governments, in       Hoover Committee would have to be purchased from
                                        response to the urgings of many New York commercial and          the United States Government or private individuals.




                                                                                              1929 thru 1931




1 2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 1 5




                                                                                               Floyd Bennett

                                                      B          orn at Warrensburg, New York, on October 25,
                                                                 1890, he left school at the age of 17 and became
                                                      an auto mechanic and part owner of a service garage. In
                                                                                                                      Mechanic. He and Byrd then began planning for an air
                                                                                                                      crossing of the Atlantic in their second plane, the America.
                                                                                                                      But Bennett suffered serious injuries when the America
                                                      1917, he enlisted in the United States Navy and signed up       crashed, opening the way for Charles Lindbergh to make
                                                      for aviation training, but although he became a capable         the first trans-Atlantic flight.
                                                      pilot he was retained for service as an aviation mechanic.      	    Bennett was appointed second-in-command of
                                                      His chance for fame came in 1925 when he was assigned to        Byrd’s 1928-30 expedition to the South Pole, most of
                                                      duty with Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Byrd’s naval          the details he had planned. Before the expedition set
                                                      aviation group attached to D. B. MacMillan’s expedition         out, he and Bernt Balchen (see biography under U.S. Air
                                                      to Greenland in that year. Both his character and ability       Force) set out to salvage the Bremen, the first aircraft
                                                      caught the attention of his commander, and he soon              to cross the Atlantic westwards, which had gone down
                                                      became Byrd’s close friend and personal pilot. Together         off the coast of Labrador. On the way Bennett fell ill
                                                      they planned a flight over the North Pole, and on a second      and died at Quebec, Canada, on April 25, 1928. He was
                                                      expedition in the next year they carried out the plan, flying   mourned throughout the United States as a national hero.
                                                      a 3-engine Fokker monoplane, the Josephine Ford, from           He had also been awarded a special medal of the National
                                                      Spitsbergen to the Pole and back on May 9. Both men were        Geographic Society, with its seal on the reverse side,
                                                      awarded the Medal of Honor for their feat, one of the rare      presented by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926. He was
                                                      peacetime awards of the Medal. Byrd was promoted to             buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.
                                                      Commander and Bennett , by Act of Congress, to Warrant




                                                                                                           1931 thru 1941




1 4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 1 7




                                                                     “Golden Age”

                                        Floyd Bennett Field
                                        is one of world aviation history’s most notable sites. Throughout the 1930’s at Floyd
                                        Bennett Field, many of aviation’s earliest and best -known pioneers, either began, or
                                        ended their historic flights on the runways of Floyd Bennett Field. During what has
                                        been called aviation’s “Golden Age,” pilots such as Wiley Post, Jacqueline Cochran,
                                        Roscoe Turner, Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes made significant contributions
                                        to aviation through their vision and courage. Each of these record flights served to
                                        further the advancement of human flight, and had profound effects on the history
                                        of aviation, and of the United States.



                                                                            1931 thru 1941




1 6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 1 9




                                                      	    Work began on New York City’s first municipal airport
                                                      on October 29, 1929. This proved to be ominous because
                                                      this was also the same day that the stock market crashed,
                                                      bringing on the Great Depression, which lasted through
                                                      the 1930’s. This was to affect New York’s new airport
                                                      throughout the years to come. Barren Island was expanded
                                                      and connected to Brooklyn by landfill, and Flatbush Avenue
                                                      was extended to provide access to the new airport.
                                                      	    Floyd Bennett Field was built to be the most modern
                                                      airport in the world. In an age when most runways were
                                                      grass or dirt, Floyd Bennett Field had paved concrete. Its
                                                      four hangars could house and service the largest airplanes of
                                                      the day. Facilities were built for seaplanes and flying boats.
                                                      The Administration Building also served as the terminal,
                                                      and provided for the comfort of pilots and passengers. The
                                                      entire airport was meant as an impressive gateway from the
                                                      air to enter into the nation’s largest city.




1 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 2 1


                      Classification “A – 1 – A”


                      	    Floyd Bennett Field was dedicated as New York City’s first municipal airport on May 23, 1931, and received the Civil
                      Aeronautics Board’s highest airport rating of A - 1 - A. Almost immediately, Floyd Bennett Field became an extremely popular
                      site with aviators, especially those seeking to set speed and distance records. Twenty – six around the world or transatlantic
                      flights originated or terminated at the field between 1931 and 1939. In addition there were ten notable cross- country flights
                      began or ended at the field during this time.




                   1932: Roscoe Turners Bendix                                                                 1937 - Biplane at Floyd                 1934 Stinson for Sale by Edwin
                     winning Wedell-Williams                                                                        Bennett Field.                             Wormald in 1939.




                                                                                                                                                          The Bendix Trophy and Annette Gipson All-Women Air         First, its location (on the Atlantic sea board of the United
                                                                                                                                                          Races both started at Floyd Bennett Field in 1933.         States) set it up as a perfect jump-off site for transatlantic,
                                                                                                                                                          These were two of the most prestigious air races during    cross country, and around the world flights. Also, the field
                                                                                                                                                          the 1930’s, and put Floyd Bennett Field at the center of   had superb facilities, including one of the finest sets of
                                                                                                                                                          aviation’s “Golden Age.” There are several reasons why     runways in the world. The runways were perfect for long
                                                                                                                                                          New York’s new municipal airport became a favorite of      distance or speed flights that required a heavy fuel load.
                                                                                                                                                          pioneering aviators.                                       Floyd Bennett Field was ideally suited for the record –
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     breaking flights of the 1930’s, and pilots were quick to extol
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     its advantages and make use of them



2 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 2 3




Floyd Bennett Field, for                In October 1939,
all the popularity it had               Municipal Airport Number
enjoyed with the pioneering             2 was opened at North
aviators of the 1930’s,                 Beach in Queens. Later
proved to be a financial                renamed LaGuardia
burden to New York City.                Airport, this new facility
This was due to three major             had the advantage of
factors. First, throughout its          being much closer to the
life as a municipal airport,            business and population
the only way to reach                   center in Manhattan, and
Floyd Bennett Field was                 was reachable by new
by driving along Flatbush               highways and bridges.
Avenue. There were no                   Lastly, for most people
highways nearby, and mass               air travel was far beyond
transit bus service had to              their means. In the 1930’s,
travel the same crowded                 nearly 25 percent of
route as automobiles and                workers were unemployed,
trucks. This meant that it              and the average salary for
was inconvenient for most               those with jobs was less
potential passengers to                 than $1,400 per year.
use Floyd Bennett Field.                Therefore, very few people
Also, despite its facilities,           could afford the expense
which were unrivalled by                of flying. These factors,
any airport in the world,               plus the obvious war
Floyd Bennett Field was                 clouds gathering around
unable to lure the lucrative            the world, led New York
airmail contract away from              City to sell Floyd Bennett
Newark Airport, in New                  Field to the U. S. Navy in
Jersey. Newark held the                 1941. The navy, which had
primary contract for the                been a permanent tenant
New York metropolitan                   since the field opened,
area. Although Floyd                    was looking to expand its
Bennett Field was within                aviation capabilities in
the boundary of New York                New York. The final civilian
City, it was designated a               flight departed on May
secondary airmail field,                26, 1941, and Naval Air
and was only used when                  Station - New York was
Newark Airport was not                  dedicated on June 2.
accessible. This meant that
Floyd Bennett Field was
destined to lose money.




2 2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 2 5




                                                                                                                                                                         Capt. J. Errol Boyd                  Jimmy Mattern                        Hugh Herndon     Col. Roscoe Turner    John Polando       Wiley Post


Heroes of the Air and the Search for a Site

	    In May of 1927, an unknown airmail pilot named             of its steady winds and lack of fog. It had been decided that
Charles Lindbergh flew non – stop from Roosevelt Field,         New York City’s first municipal airport would be named
Long Island to Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France. His solo    in honor of Floyd Bennett. Bennett, a naval aviator and
flight captured the imagination of the world. Billed as the     Brooklyn resident, had been the pilot for Commander
New York – Paris flight, the fact that it began outside of      Richard E. Byrd’s flight over the North Pole in 1926. Both
the city in Nassau County embarrassed New York City’s           Bennett and Byrd were awarded the Congressional Medal
government. A panel was established, headed by noted            of Honor for their feat. While preparing for a flight over                                                 D.W. Tomlinson                      Felix Waitkus                        Laura Ingalls   Jacqueline Cochran   Jimmy Dolittlev   Howard Hughes
aviator Clarence Chamberlain to find a site to build a          the South Pole in 1928, Bennett crashed on a test flight,
state–of–the–art airport within the city limits. The panel      breaking several ribs and punturing a lung. Though not
settled on a site on Barren Island, off of the southern shore   fully recovered from his injuries, he joined in the rescue
of Brooklyn in Jamaica Bay. The site of a small community,      efforts to find two downed transatlantic flyers in Quebec,
a horse rendering plant, and a flying field operated by Paul    Canada. The weakened Bennett contracted pneumonia in
Rizzo called “Barren Island Airport.” it provided good flying   the cold climate, and died at age 38, despite the efforts of
conditions, and room to expand. The shores of Jamaica Bay       Charles Lindbergh to fly a serum to the stricken aviator.
had been popular with flyers because




                                                                                                                       24, May 1939 [Francesco Sarabia flies from
                                                                                                                       Mexico City, 2,350 miles in record time to beat
                                                                                                                       that set by Amelia Earhart of 14:19:00 on
                                                                                                                       May 8th, 1935 (10:40:00, Gee Bee Racer).]
                                                                                                                                                                                         21–22 September 1935 [Flew from FBF to
                                                                                                                                                                                         Ballinrobe, Ireland, on a projected flight to Lithuania




2 4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
FBF | 2 7




                                                            Air                         warfare of World War II
                                                                                        was a major component
                                                            of World War II in all theatres, and (with anti-air
                                                                                                                     and General Motors, testing them, and then
                                                                                                                     commissioning some 46,000 aircraft. Imagine the
                                                                                                                     Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1)¹ pilots soaring off
                                                                                                                     to deliver Wildcats, Hellcats, and Avengers to Navy
                                                            defense) consumed a large fraction of the industrial
                                                            output of the major powers. Germany and Japan            and Marine aviation units on their way to fight in the
                                                            depended on air forces that were closely integrated      major battles of the Pacific during World War II.
                                                            with land and naval forces; they downplayed the          	 Floyd Bennett Field’s heritage in both civil
                                                            advantage of fleets of strategic bombers, and were       aviation and military aviation is long and rich.
                                                            late in appreciating the need to defend against          However, its greatest impact on United States
                                                            Allied strategic bombing. By contrast Britain and        history took place during World War II when the
                                                            the United States took an approach that greatly          “Janes who made the planes” and the men who
                                                            emphasized strategic bombing, and to a lesser            tested and delivered the aircraft made Naval Air
                                                            degree, tactical control of the battlefield by air,      Station New York (Floyd Bennett Field) the busiest

                                                      F
                                                      BF_   and adequate air defenses. They both built a
                                                            strategic force of a large long-range bombers that
                                                            could carry the air war to the enemy’s homeland.
                                                                                                                     naval air station in the nation. By reducing the
                                                                                                                     processing time for aircraft from 10 days (1941)
                                                                                                                     to three days (1943) they insured that the huge
                                                            Simultaneously they built tactical air forces that       number of aircraft flowing off the assembly lines
                                                            could win air superiority over the battlefields,         reached U.S. and Allied forces.
                                                            thereby giving vital assistance to ground troops.        	 Located in Brooklyn, NY, today Floyd Bennett
                                                            They both built a powerful naval-air component           Field is preserved by the National Park Service
                                                            based on aircraft carriers, as did Japan; these played   as part of Gateway National Recreation Area.
                                                            the central role in the war at sea. Walking along        Although it lacks the bustle of the past, it is not
                                                            Floyd Bennett Field’s historic hanger row today you      silent. In Hangar B, volunteers contribute thousands
                                                            can almost hear the roar of the mighty engines that      of hours annually restoring vintage aircraft that
                                                            powered aircraft on their way to patrol the vital sea    once flew from the field. Visitors tour the airfield
                                                            lanes of the Atlantic during the German U-Boat           learning its proud story: its defense of the nation
                                                            offensive of 1942. Look into Hanger B and imagine        during World War II as it guarded ships leaving New
                                                            the ground crews receiving newly built planes            York Harbor, as well as its role in one of the greatest
                                                            from companies like Grumman, Vought-Sikorsky,            industrial feats of all time, giving wings to the armed
                                                                                                                     forces of the United States.	




                                                                                                          1946 thru 1972

2 6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
2 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  FBF | 2 9




               N             aval Air Station (NAS) New York was home
                             to the largest naval aviation squadron ever
                assembled, Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1). On
                                                                               Approximately 100,000 new aircraft were commissioned
                                                                               into active service and delivered by all naval air ferry
                                                                               squadrons during the war. Major transcontinental and
                December 1, 1943, it also became headquarters of the           coastal air ferry routes were laid out allowing for frequent
                Naval Air Ferry Command which controlled all naval air         stops at designated airports. Ferry service units or auxiliary
                ferry operations throughout the United States. Three naval     ferry service units were located at these stopover airports
                air stations were the operating bases of the Naval Air Ferry   to keep planes serviced and in flying trim. For ferrying
                Command--NAS New York, home of VRF-1 and VRF-4,                purposes the United States was divided into an eastern zone
                NAS Columbus (Ohio), where VRF-2 was based and                 and a western zone with the Mississippi River the boundary.
                NAS Terminal Island (Los Angeles, CA), home of VRF-3.




                                                                                                                                                Sonar man Paul
                                                                                                                                                D. Ananos of
                                                                                                                                                Flushing
                                                                                                                                                operates sonar
                                                                                                                                                detection gear on
                                                                                                                                                board helicopter.
                                                                                                                                                He obtains
                                                                                                                                                signals from an     Lt. Cmdr. E. Richard Klages of Stony Brook and Cmdr. John W. Mahoney of Valley Stream check their flight plans
                                                                                                                                                underwater buoy.                    before taking off from the Norfolk Air Station. Mahoney commands reserve unit.
FBF | 3 1




                                                      W               ith a lease executed in January of 1936, the
                                                                      Coast Guard was on it’s way to opening an Air
                                                      Station on Floyd Bennett Field. Dedication ceremonies were
                                                      set for April 23, 1938. There were parades and public officials.
                                                      Special guests were taken from the U. S. Barge Office at
                                                      the Battery aboard the Coast Guard tugs Comanche and
                                                      Manhattan to the sea plane landing at the field. The ceremony
                                                      was conducted by Rear Admiral R.R. Waesche, Commandant,
                                                      U. S. Coast Guard, who came from Washington aboard a large
                                                      Coast Guard cutter.
                                                      er means failed to reach the firefighters.A rescue hoist was
                                                      developed as were several pickup harnesses. This equipment
                                                      received its first real test at the Navy’s air-sea rescue
                                                      demonstration held off Manasquan, N. J. on October 2, 1944,
                                                      when 4 men were picked up from a rubber raft and 0 miles
                                                      south of Goose Bay Labrador. The Coast Guard and Army Air
                                                      Forces teamed up to rescue the crew. Two men were badly
                                                      burnt in the PBY when it caught fire after crashing in the
                                                      wilderness. Several days passed before a USAAF C-54 spotted
                                                      their distress signal. Two RCAF rescue ski planes, dispatched
                                                      to the scene, landed safely. One managed to take off with
                                                      several survivors. A blizzard prevented any further attempts
                                                      during the next two days. When the weather cleared, the first
                                                      plane returned and landed, but the snow was too soft for either
                                                      plane to take offwith a load, so they were flown out without
                                                      passengers. The 9 men left behind would be stranded for weeks
                                                      until the lakes thawed sufficiently for float planes to land.
                                                      	    Fortunately, a Sikorsky HNS Helicopter was available
                                                      at Air Station Brooklyn. It was disassembled, loaded on a
                                                      C-54 and flown to Goose Bay. When it was reassembled, Lt.
                                                      August Kleisch, USCG, flew the helicopter to a base camp
                                                      that had been set up at Lake Herr about 146 miles south of
                                                      Goose Bay, which could be supplied by ski planes. Kleisch
                                                      had to make 9 trips into the crash site, each trip averaging an
                                                      hour and a half, bringing out one man at a time. This rescue
                                                      mission really showed the versatility of the helicopter.




3 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

Sanctuary Lofts E-Book
Sanctuary Lofts E-BookSanctuary Lofts E-Book
Sanctuary Lofts E-BookSteven Silva
 
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!Sara Arnold-Garza
 
Portfolio
PortfolioPortfolio
Portfoliobmburns
 
University of Waterloo - Campus Map
University of Waterloo - Campus MapUniversity of Waterloo - Campus Map
University of Waterloo - Campus Mapinnerlink
 
Trn Ft0509 Depot Inn
Trn Ft0509   Depot InnTrn Ft0509   Depot Inn
Trn Ft0509 Depot Innlorax210
 

La actualidad más candente (7)

Sanctuary Lofts E-Book
Sanctuary Lofts E-BookSanctuary Lofts E-Book
Sanctuary Lofts E-Book
 
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!
Get Out! Research Relief where they least expect it!
 
Portfolio
PortfolioPortfolio
Portfolio
 
5
55
5
 
University of Waterloo - Campus Map
University of Waterloo - Campus MapUniversity of Waterloo - Campus Map
University of Waterloo - Campus Map
 
Trn Ft0509 Depot Inn
Trn Ft0509   Depot InnTrn Ft0509   Depot Inn
Trn Ft0509 Depot Inn
 
Carnation Residency
Carnation ResidencyCarnation Residency
Carnation Residency
 

Destacado

Destacado (20)

Shubham ppt
Shubham pptShubham ppt
Shubham ppt
 
Daniela q1
Daniela q1Daniela q1
Daniela q1
 
7 สามัญ ภาษาไทย
7 สามัญ ภาษาไทย7 สามัญ ภาษาไทย
7 สามัญ ภาษาไทย
 
Midsize webinar
Midsize webinarMidsize webinar
Midsize webinar
 
Docker for Fun and Profit, Devoxx 2014
Docker for Fun and Profit, Devoxx 2014Docker for Fun and Profit, Devoxx 2014
Docker for Fun and Profit, Devoxx 2014
 
план урока
план урокаплан урока
план урока
 
Secuencia Convivencia
Secuencia ConvivenciaSecuencia Convivencia
Secuencia Convivencia
 
Herbs , Spices & Seeds List
Herbs , Spices & Seeds ListHerbs , Spices & Seeds List
Herbs , Spices & Seeds List
 
итоги 2 четверти
итоги 2 четвертиитоги 2 четверти
итоги 2 четверти
 
Sharon K Kulesz July 2015 Resume (r)
Sharon K Kulesz July 2015 Resume (r)Sharon K Kulesz July 2015 Resume (r)
Sharon K Kulesz July 2015 Resume (r)
 
Explore Bali withwww. Tripmart.com
  Explore Bali withwww. Tripmart.com  Explore Bali withwww. Tripmart.com
Explore Bali withwww. Tripmart.com
 
102 Imagine
102 Imagine102 Imagine
102 Imagine
 
Newspaper analysis 1
Newspaper analysis 1Newspaper analysis 1
Newspaper analysis 1
 
Evaluation question 1 honica
Evaluation question 1 honicaEvaluation question 1 honica
Evaluation question 1 honica
 
Presentation on MM in Advisory Practice by Yogin Sabnis - Master Class June 2...
Presentation on MM in Advisory Practice by Yogin Sabnis - Master Class June 2...Presentation on MM in Advisory Practice by Yogin Sabnis - Master Class June 2...
Presentation on MM in Advisory Practice by Yogin Sabnis - Master Class June 2...
 
7.narrative and film theory
7.narrative and film theory7.narrative and film theory
7.narrative and film theory
 
5L Sarah Civilization
5L Sarah Civilization5L Sarah Civilization
5L Sarah Civilization
 
Emily new
Emily newEmily new
Emily new
 
Ituren eta zubieta3
Ituren eta zubieta3Ituren eta zubieta3
Ituren eta zubieta3
 
Actividad 21
Actividad 21Actividad 21
Actividad 21
 

Similar a Typebook fbf2 (20)

TV Connect London 2013 Preview Brochure
TV Connect London 2013 Preview BrochureTV Connect London 2013 Preview Brochure
TV Connect London 2013 Preview Brochure
 
Sheet11- Appendix
Sheet11- AppendixSheet11- Appendix
Sheet11- Appendix
 
Creative Pages
Creative PagesCreative Pages
Creative Pages
 
Contemporary art
Contemporary artContemporary art
Contemporary art
 
Contemporary Art (For Blakey)
Contemporary Art (For Blakey)Contemporary Art (For Blakey)
Contemporary Art (For Blakey)
 
DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD
 
South Park Gurgaonn
South Park GurgaonnSouth Park Gurgaonn
South Park Gurgaonn
 
Lizzie Raby: Critical Positions Presentation
Lizzie Raby: Critical Positions PresentationLizzie Raby: Critical Positions Presentation
Lizzie Raby: Critical Positions Presentation
 
Design Service Mindworks
Design Service   MindworksDesign Service   Mindworks
Design Service Mindworks
 
Design Service Mindworks
Design Service   MindworksDesign Service   Mindworks
Design Service Mindworks
 
Ss bugle boy
Ss bugle boySs bugle boy
Ss bugle boy
 
Davao city map
Davao city mapDavao city map
Davao city map
 
Davao citymap
Davao citymapDavao citymap
Davao citymap
 
Proposed Transit Map
Proposed Transit MapProposed Transit Map
Proposed Transit Map
 
Sloop john-b
Sloop john-bSloop john-b
Sloop john-b
 
Map of St-Avila
Map of St-AvilaMap of St-Avila
Map of St-Avila
 
Travelweekly magazine 09-09-2010
Travelweekly magazine 09-09-2010Travelweekly magazine 09-09-2010
Travelweekly magazine 09-09-2010
 
Falling Grace - Solo Guitar
Falling Grace - Solo GuitarFalling Grace - Solo Guitar
Falling Grace - Solo Guitar
 
Falling Grace - Solo Guitar
Falling Grace - Solo GuitarFalling Grace - Solo Guitar
Falling Grace - Solo Guitar
 
Eres Mi Amigo Fiel Tenor Saxophone
Eres Mi Amigo Fiel Tenor SaxophoneEres Mi Amigo Fiel Tenor Saxophone
Eres Mi Amigo Fiel Tenor Saxophone
 

Más de Elisabetta Di Stefano (20)

Ppt may6 2013
Ppt may6 2013Ppt may6 2013
Ppt may6 2013
 
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Report: An Analysis of its Economic Impact
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Report: An Analysis of its Economic ImpactThe Brooklyn Navy Yard Report: An Analysis of its Economic Impact
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Report: An Analysis of its Economic Impact
 
Calander thesis2
Calander thesis2Calander thesis2
Calander thesis2
 
Checks & Balances : Designing for the Public Forum
Checks & Balances : Designing for the Public ForumChecks & Balances : Designing for the Public Forum
Checks & Balances : Designing for the Public Forum
 
Thesis presentation
Thesis presentationThesis presentation
Thesis presentation
 
Thesis presentation420
Thesis presentation420Thesis presentation420
Thesis presentation420
 
Thesis presentation
Thesis presentationThesis presentation
Thesis presentation
 
Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2Typebook fbf2
Typebook fbf2
 
Politicalsystems
PoliticalsystemsPoliticalsystems
Politicalsystems
 
Typebook fbf
Typebook fbfTypebook fbf
Typebook fbf
 
Lisa a leezad_proposal
Lisa a leezad_proposalLisa a leezad_proposal
Lisa a leezad_proposal
 
Thesis presentation
Thesis presentationThesis presentation
Thesis presentation
 
Transparency in Government
Transparency in GovernmentTransparency in Government
Transparency in Government
 
Creativebrief
CreativebriefCreativebrief
Creativebrief
 
Creativebrief
CreativebriefCreativebrief
Creativebrief
 
Ss 5 design_trust
Ss 5 design_trustSs 5 design_trust
Ss 5 design_trust
 
Dividers fbf
Dividers fbfDividers fbf
Dividers fbf
 
Thesis statement
Thesis statementThesis statement
Thesis statement
 
Harp rack card final 1
Harp rack card final 1Harp rack card final 1
Harp rack card final 1
 
Scher highline
Scher highlineScher highline
Scher highline
 

Último

NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From Top March Madness Sports Handicapper
NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From  Top March Madness Sports HandicapperNCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From  Top March Madness Sports Handicapper
NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From Top March Madness Sports HandicapperJoe Duffy
 
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...mxmindia
 
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdf
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdfTheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdf
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdfSocial Samosa
 
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docx
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docxEuro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docx
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docxEticketing.co
 
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick Kodos
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick KodosNicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick Kodos
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick KodosNicholasKodomichalos1
 
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics Trade
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics TradeInstruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics Trade
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics TradeOptics-Trade
 
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...mxmindia
 
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"bmfcavalchini
 
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...Sportsnewstec24
 

Último (9)

NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From Top March Madness Sports Handicapper
NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From  Top March Madness Sports HandicapperNCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From  Top March Madness Sports Handicapper
NCAA Tournament Free Pick, March 22 From Top March Madness Sports Handicapper
 
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
 
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdf
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdfTheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdf
TheOrmaxSportsAudienceReport2024-MediaHighlights.pdf
 
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docx
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docxEuro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docx
Euro 2024 Serbia's Return to the European Championship.docx
 
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick Kodos
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick KodosNicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick Kodos
Nicholas Kodomichalos: A Tale of Sporting Brilliance with Nick Kodos
 
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics Trade
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics TradeInstruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics Trade
Instruction Manual | Nightforce CFS 6-36x50 F1 | Optics Trade
 
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
Changing mindsets, rebuilding lives: Celebrating 25 years of First World Cup ...
 
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"
Kobe Bryant, The story of the "Black Mamba"
 
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...
IPL 2024 Fixture List Match Dates, Participating Teams, Stadiums, Venues, and...
 

Typebook fbf2

  • 1. This book would not have been made possible without my infinite curiousity to learn more. My perserverance has led to a wonderful discovery to share with the rest of the world. It’s about time that we all learn about a hidden gem in the midst of a great city. Thank you to my professors, my friends, my family, and most importantly, GOD. By Elisabetta DiStefano
  • 2. FBF | 3 “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” —Amelia Earhart 2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 3. FBF | 5 2011 © Elisabetta DiStefano “Jamaica Bay: Bird Life” Preface In the summer of 2011, I was ready to put some mileage on my newly purchased olive green Canondale mountain bike. Each bike ride was treated as a challenge for me. Within each of these challenges, I have learned more about my surroundings. Although I am a native New Yorker, I moved to an area of Queens, Howard Beach, that I was only partially familiar with. Unfortunately, it was only until this past summer that I really ventured on uncharted territory on the bike path. Every day I was looking forward to my next cycle ride. I would track my adventures on an iPhone application called: ‘Cyclemeter’. The first landmark that I reached was, Carnarsie Piers. After reaching the Riding Academy, I wanted to go over the matter, I still wanted to learn more. It was a relentless The Piers are also Mill Basin bridge further into Brooklyn. Bare in mind, I was pursuit to have an understanding of what F.B.F. really was part of the Gateway not prepared for the monumental moment where I finally and what it needs … an identity. The reason it has been biked to Floyd Bennett Field. In awe of the enormous green an unresolved green space with several abandoned area is National Recreation space, I just kept riding and discovering. because every textbook on aviation fails to mention FBF‘s Area (National Park This marked the moment where my life shifted. history. So before we move forward, we need to take a look Having made the decision of using this as part of my thesis at our past.Floyd Bennett Field is two times the size of Service) along with research it led me to realizing my passion in urban planning. Central Park that doesn’t come close to being used on the several other areas Diving deeper into the subject of this desolate space, I same level. My hope for this book is to unveil a hidden gem along Jamaica Bay. struggled with its bureaucratic undertone. As a sore subject that is in our New York Urban backyard. 4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 4. 295 ro T C ss HA Is FBF | 7 la QUEENS AN nd New Jersey Parkway M 495 y 78 278 Parkwa NEWARK JERSEY ns on CITY R obi Ellis Island ie North ck Grasslands Management Newark Immigration Museum Park area Ja Area (no access) International Statue of Liberty Airport National Monument Governors Island Parking Campground 0 0.25 Kilometer National Monument Car-top boating Wildlife viewing 0 0.25 Mile Fishing Bus stop 678 New York 27 RAPTOR POINT y Picnic area wa rk Cross Pa 27 ELIZABETH UPPER 27 Be lt Bay Blvd. Permit k w ay BAY Frank Charles John F. Kennedy Memorial Park International Airport ar Goethals Bridge P Fl BROOKLYN at Canarsie bu Fort Wadsworth Pier sh Permit Av Visitor Center Verrazano- Jamaica Bay M HANGAR B en Bergen od Wildlife Refuge ue Narrows el ke Beach Fl yi Bridge ng JAMAICA BAY npi 278 Fi el d Tu r STATEN ISLAND Fort Floyd Wadsworth Ryan Visitor Center Bennett Permit Field s ey MILL BASIN LOWER BAY Sh INLET B e l t P a r kw a y or Permit Jer Hoffman Island Plumb eP Beach Channel Archery Range ar (no public access) Beach Drive kw w d Miller Field ar ay R i c hm o n d P a Ne Park ev Jacob Riis Park Gateway Environmental Bi Swinburne Island ul Nursery ke Study Center Bo (no public access) wa (New York City Fort Tilden y/R Board of Education) STATEN ISLAND North Forty an 95 Breezy Point JAMAICA BAY UNIT ockw yl rk w UNIT H Ente rpris ay Gateway Greenway e Ro Shore Parkway Ecology ay ad Village Great Kills Park Permit Park Permit Administration Outerbridge US Park Police NY Field Office Crossing Rang Armed Forces PERTH Natural Area e r Ro ad Reserve Center AMBOY ATLANTIC OCEAN Blvd n et t Ben RYAN VISITOR CENTER d Pond Floy Aviation Rd RARITAN BAY HANGAR ROW HISTORIC DISTRICT Visitor Contact Station Gil H Rockway Gateway Greenway Me m o d g e s orial Bridg Flatbush Avenue e Sandy Hook Lighthouse GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Fort Hancock Shore Marina Park land Parkway SPORTS CONCESSION SANDY HOOK UNIT Bikeway 9 Park water DEAD HORSE BAY ROCKAWAY INLET 36 Ranger Station Sandy Hook Legislative boundary Visitor Center Gar d en Sta te New Jersey North 0 3 Kilometers Floyd Bennett Field Park Map (Gateway National Recreation Area) © 1998 National Park Service 0 3 Miles Pa rk 35 ayw 6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 5. FBF | 9 1931–41 floyd bennett field (FBF) 1972–NOW Gateway NPS aquisition “Golden aGe of aviation” FUTURE 1928–31 aviators AT FBF FBF COmmunity Garden Barren Island Record Breaking flights Kissena Bike raceS 2012–beyond Aviator Sports & Recreation other activities 1941–45 Ryan center (Administration building) World war II / U.S. Navy FBF Forefront of aviation tecnology 1946–72 U.S. Coast guard COLD war / Post ww II world’s first police “Cradle of aviation” aViation unit 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 6. 1 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 7. FBF | 1 3 Barren Island P rior to the opening of Floyd Bennett Field in 1930, a compacted dirt runway existed on the island and was generously referred to as “Barren Island industrial leaders, had been planning to create a major shipping harbor out of Jamaica Bay. By 1927 the city’s Department of Docks had spent well over $100,000,000 of city, state, and Airport”, but was used primarily by one pilot who took federal money on the project. The city owned Barren Island, customersup for joy-rides. The municipal airport site and could achieve two objectives by dredging the main was chosen and designed by famed aviator Clarence D. Jamaica Bay channel while using the extracted sand to raise Chamberlin. His preference was Barren Island, a 387-acre the level of the island to a height suitable for the airport. (1.57 km2) marsh with 33 small islands in Jamaica Bay, off Also, many New York governmental leaders tought that it the southeastern shore of Brooklyn. The site was favorable due made sense to locate the airport near this new industrial to the lack of obstructions nearby, and because it was easily and commercial devolopment. identifiable from the air. Second, Clarence D. Chamberlain, the American After much debate over the merits of other sites within aviator who become famous for the Atlantic immediately the city (including Governors Island, the purported favorite after Lindbergh, was hired by the city as a consultant on of New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia), the site was aviation. He preferred the Barren Island site over others approved. Six million cubic yards of sand were pumped from because of its location. There was nothing that would Jamaica Bay to connect the islands and raise the site to 16 interfere with the landing or departing at the field for the feet (4.9 m) above the high tide mark. The new airfield’s airplanes. Since the location of the island was located on modern, electrically illuminated, concrete runways (when Jamaica Bay, the field would easily accomodate seaplanes, most “airports” still had dirt runways and no night landings) which were becoming very popular and were considered and comfortable terminal facilities with numerous amenities to be the most common aircraft to serve the Atlantic made it among the most advanced of its day, earning a rating coastal area. Finally, the third reason, which is also the of A-1 (the highest) by the United States Department of most important, is that Barren Island was already owned Commerce at the time. There were 3 key reasons why Barren by the City of New York, so acquiring it was simple. All Island site was selected by the Hoover Committee. First, since other proposed sites that were recommended by the the late 19th Century the city and federal governments, in Hoover Committee would have to be purchased from response to the urgings of many New York commercial and the United States Government or private individuals. 1929 thru 1931 1 2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 8. FBF | 1 5 Floyd Bennett B orn at Warrensburg, New York, on October 25, 1890, he left school at the age of 17 and became an auto mechanic and part owner of a service garage. In Mechanic. He and Byrd then began planning for an air crossing of the Atlantic in their second plane, the America. But Bennett suffered serious injuries when the America 1917, he enlisted in the United States Navy and signed up crashed, opening the way for Charles Lindbergh to make for aviation training, but although he became a capable the first trans-Atlantic flight. pilot he was retained for service as an aviation mechanic. Bennett was appointed second-in-command of His chance for fame came in 1925 when he was assigned to Byrd’s 1928-30 expedition to the South Pole, most of duty with Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Byrd’s naval the details he had planned. Before the expedition set aviation group attached to D. B. MacMillan’s expedition out, he and Bernt Balchen (see biography under U.S. Air to Greenland in that year. Both his character and ability Force) set out to salvage the Bremen, the first aircraft caught the attention of his commander, and he soon to cross the Atlantic westwards, which had gone down became Byrd’s close friend and personal pilot. Together off the coast of Labrador. On the way Bennett fell ill they planned a flight over the North Pole, and on a second and died at Quebec, Canada, on April 25, 1928. He was expedition in the next year they carried out the plan, flying mourned throughout the United States as a national hero. a 3-engine Fokker monoplane, the Josephine Ford, from He had also been awarded a special medal of the National Spitsbergen to the Pole and back on May 9. Both men were Geographic Society, with its seal on the reverse side, awarded the Medal of Honor for their feat, one of the rare presented by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926. He was peacetime awards of the Medal. Byrd was promoted to buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. Commander and Bennett , by Act of Congress, to Warrant 1931 thru 1941 1 4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 9. FBF | 1 7 “Golden Age” Floyd Bennett Field is one of world aviation history’s most notable sites. Throughout the 1930’s at Floyd Bennett Field, many of aviation’s earliest and best -known pioneers, either began, or ended their historic flights on the runways of Floyd Bennett Field. During what has been called aviation’s “Golden Age,” pilots such as Wiley Post, Jacqueline Cochran, Roscoe Turner, Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes made significant contributions to aviation through their vision and courage. Each of these record flights served to further the advancement of human flight, and had profound effects on the history of aviation, and of the United States. 1931 thru 1941 1 6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 10. FBF | 1 9 Work began on New York City’s first municipal airport on October 29, 1929. This proved to be ominous because this was also the same day that the stock market crashed, bringing on the Great Depression, which lasted through the 1930’s. This was to affect New York’s new airport throughout the years to come. Barren Island was expanded and connected to Brooklyn by landfill, and Flatbush Avenue was extended to provide access to the new airport. Floyd Bennett Field was built to be the most modern airport in the world. In an age when most runways were grass or dirt, Floyd Bennett Field had paved concrete. Its four hangars could house and service the largest airplanes of the day. Facilities were built for seaplanes and flying boats. The Administration Building also served as the terminal, and provided for the comfort of pilots and passengers. The entire airport was meant as an impressive gateway from the air to enter into the nation’s largest city. 1 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 11. FBF | 2 1 Classification “A – 1 – A” Floyd Bennett Field was dedicated as New York City’s first municipal airport on May 23, 1931, and received the Civil Aeronautics Board’s highest airport rating of A - 1 - A. Almost immediately, Floyd Bennett Field became an extremely popular site with aviators, especially those seeking to set speed and distance records. Twenty – six around the world or transatlantic flights originated or terminated at the field between 1931 and 1939. In addition there were ten notable cross- country flights began or ended at the field during this time. 1932: Roscoe Turners Bendix 1937 - Biplane at Floyd 1934 Stinson for Sale by Edwin winning Wedell-Williams Bennett Field. Wormald in 1939. The Bendix Trophy and Annette Gipson All-Women Air First, its location (on the Atlantic sea board of the United Races both started at Floyd Bennett Field in 1933. States) set it up as a perfect jump-off site for transatlantic, These were two of the most prestigious air races during cross country, and around the world flights. Also, the field the 1930’s, and put Floyd Bennett Field at the center of had superb facilities, including one of the finest sets of aviation’s “Golden Age.” There are several reasons why runways in the world. The runways were perfect for long New York’s new municipal airport became a favorite of distance or speed flights that required a heavy fuel load. pioneering aviators. Floyd Bennett Field was ideally suited for the record – breaking flights of the 1930’s, and pilots were quick to extol its advantages and make use of them 2 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 12. FBF | 2 3 Floyd Bennett Field, for In October 1939, all the popularity it had Municipal Airport Number enjoyed with the pioneering 2 was opened at North aviators of the 1930’s, Beach in Queens. Later proved to be a financial renamed LaGuardia burden to New York City. Airport, this new facility This was due to three major had the advantage of factors. First, throughout its being much closer to the life as a municipal airport, business and population the only way to reach center in Manhattan, and Floyd Bennett Field was was reachable by new by driving along Flatbush highways and bridges. Avenue. There were no Lastly, for most people highways nearby, and mass air travel was far beyond transit bus service had to their means. In the 1930’s, travel the same crowded nearly 25 percent of route as automobiles and workers were unemployed, trucks. This meant that it and the average salary for was inconvenient for most those with jobs was less potential passengers to than $1,400 per year. use Floyd Bennett Field. Therefore, very few people Also, despite its facilities, could afford the expense which were unrivalled by of flying. These factors, any airport in the world, plus the obvious war Floyd Bennett Field was clouds gathering around unable to lure the lucrative the world, led New York airmail contract away from City to sell Floyd Bennett Newark Airport, in New Field to the U. S. Navy in Jersey. Newark held the 1941. The navy, which had primary contract for the been a permanent tenant New York metropolitan since the field opened, area. Although Floyd was looking to expand its Bennett Field was within aviation capabilities in the boundary of New York New York. The final civilian City, it was designated a flight departed on May secondary airmail field, 26, 1941, and Naval Air and was only used when Station - New York was Newark Airport was not dedicated on June 2. accessible. This meant that Floyd Bennett Field was destined to lose money. 2 2 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 13. FBF | 2 5 Capt. J. Errol Boyd Jimmy Mattern Hugh Herndon Col. Roscoe Turner John Polando Wiley Post Heroes of the Air and the Search for a Site In May of 1927, an unknown airmail pilot named of its steady winds and lack of fog. It had been decided that Charles Lindbergh flew non – stop from Roosevelt Field, New York City’s first municipal airport would be named Long Island to Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France. His solo in honor of Floyd Bennett. Bennett, a naval aviator and flight captured the imagination of the world. Billed as the Brooklyn resident, had been the pilot for Commander New York – Paris flight, the fact that it began outside of Richard E. Byrd’s flight over the North Pole in 1926. Both the city in Nassau County embarrassed New York City’s Bennett and Byrd were awarded the Congressional Medal government. A panel was established, headed by noted of Honor for their feat. While preparing for a flight over D.W. Tomlinson Felix Waitkus Laura Ingalls Jacqueline Cochran Jimmy Dolittlev Howard Hughes aviator Clarence Chamberlain to find a site to build a the South Pole in 1928, Bennett crashed on a test flight, state–of–the–art airport within the city limits. The panel breaking several ribs and punturing a lung. Though not settled on a site on Barren Island, off of the southern shore fully recovered from his injuries, he joined in the rescue of Brooklyn in Jamaica Bay. The site of a small community, efforts to find two downed transatlantic flyers in Quebec, a horse rendering plant, and a flying field operated by Paul Canada. The weakened Bennett contracted pneumonia in Rizzo called “Barren Island Airport.” it provided good flying the cold climate, and died at age 38, despite the efforts of conditions, and room to expand. The shores of Jamaica Bay Charles Lindbergh to fly a serum to the stricken aviator. had been popular with flyers because 24, May 1939 [Francesco Sarabia flies from Mexico City, 2,350 miles in record time to beat that set by Amelia Earhart of 14:19:00 on May 8th, 1935 (10:40:00, Gee Bee Racer).] 21–22 September 1935 [Flew from FBF to Ballinrobe, Ireland, on a projected flight to Lithuania 2 4 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 14. FBF | 2 7 Air warfare of World War II was a major component of World War II in all theatres, and (with anti-air and General Motors, testing them, and then commissioning some 46,000 aircraft. Imagine the Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1)¹ pilots soaring off to deliver Wildcats, Hellcats, and Avengers to Navy defense) consumed a large fraction of the industrial output of the major powers. Germany and Japan and Marine aviation units on their way to fight in the depended on air forces that were closely integrated major battles of the Pacific during World War II. with land and naval forces; they downplayed the Floyd Bennett Field’s heritage in both civil advantage of fleets of strategic bombers, and were aviation and military aviation is long and rich. late in appreciating the need to defend against However, its greatest impact on United States Allied strategic bombing. By contrast Britain and history took place during World War II when the the United States took an approach that greatly “Janes who made the planes” and the men who emphasized strategic bombing, and to a lesser tested and delivered the aircraft made Naval Air degree, tactical control of the battlefield by air, Station New York (Floyd Bennett Field) the busiest F BF_ and adequate air defenses. They both built a strategic force of a large long-range bombers that could carry the air war to the enemy’s homeland. naval air station in the nation. By reducing the processing time for aircraft from 10 days (1941) to three days (1943) they insured that the huge Simultaneously they built tactical air forces that number of aircraft flowing off the assembly lines could win air superiority over the battlefields, reached U.S. and Allied forces. thereby giving vital assistance to ground troops. Located in Brooklyn, NY, today Floyd Bennett They both built a powerful naval-air component Field is preserved by the National Park Service based on aircraft carriers, as did Japan; these played as part of Gateway National Recreation Area. the central role in the war at sea. Walking along Although it lacks the bustle of the past, it is not Floyd Bennett Field’s historic hanger row today you silent. In Hangar B, volunteers contribute thousands can almost hear the roar of the mighty engines that of hours annually restoring vintage aircraft that powered aircraft on their way to patrol the vital sea once flew from the field. Visitors tour the airfield lanes of the Atlantic during the German U-Boat learning its proud story: its defense of the nation offensive of 1942. Look into Hanger B and imagine during World War II as it guarded ships leaving New the ground crews receiving newly built planes York Harbor, as well as its role in one of the greatest from companies like Grumman, Vought-Sikorsky, industrial feats of all time, giving wings to the armed forces of the United States. 1946 thru 1972 2 6 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future
  • 15. 2 8 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future FBF | 2 9 N aval Air Station (NAS) New York was home to the largest naval aviation squadron ever assembled, Air Ferry Squadron One (VRF-1). On Approximately 100,000 new aircraft were commissioned into active service and delivered by all naval air ferry squadrons during the war. Major transcontinental and December 1, 1943, it also became headquarters of the coastal air ferry routes were laid out allowing for frequent Naval Air Ferry Command which controlled all naval air stops at designated airports. Ferry service units or auxiliary ferry operations throughout the United States. Three naval ferry service units were located at these stopover airports air stations were the operating bases of the Naval Air Ferry to keep planes serviced and in flying trim. For ferrying Command--NAS New York, home of VRF-1 and VRF-4, purposes the United States was divided into an eastern zone NAS Columbus (Ohio), where VRF-2 was based and and a western zone with the Mississippi River the boundary. NAS Terminal Island (Los Angeles, CA), home of VRF-3. Sonar man Paul D. Ananos of Flushing operates sonar detection gear on board helicopter. He obtains signals from an Lt. Cmdr. E. Richard Klages of Stony Brook and Cmdr. John W. Mahoney of Valley Stream check their flight plans underwater buoy. before taking off from the Norfolk Air Station. Mahoney commands reserve unit.
  • 16. FBF | 3 1 W ith a lease executed in January of 1936, the Coast Guard was on it’s way to opening an Air Station on Floyd Bennett Field. Dedication ceremonies were set for April 23, 1938. There were parades and public officials. Special guests were taken from the U. S. Barge Office at the Battery aboard the Coast Guard tugs Comanche and Manhattan to the sea plane landing at the field. The ceremony was conducted by Rear Admiral R.R. Waesche, Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, who came from Washington aboard a large Coast Guard cutter. er means failed to reach the firefighters.A rescue hoist was developed as were several pickup harnesses. This equipment received its first real test at the Navy’s air-sea rescue demonstration held off Manasquan, N. J. on October 2, 1944, when 4 men were picked up from a rubber raft and 0 miles south of Goose Bay Labrador. The Coast Guard and Army Air Forces teamed up to rescue the crew. Two men were badly burnt in the PBY when it caught fire after crashing in the wilderness. Several days passed before a USAAF C-54 spotted their distress signal. Two RCAF rescue ski planes, dispatched to the scene, landed safely. One managed to take off with several survivors. A blizzard prevented any further attempts during the next two days. When the weather cleared, the first plane returned and landed, but the snow was too soft for either plane to take offwith a load, so they were flown out without passengers. The 9 men left behind would be stranded for weeks until the lakes thawed sufficiently for float planes to land. Fortunately, a Sikorsky HNS Helicopter was available at Air Station Brooklyn. It was disassembled, loaded on a C-54 and flown to Goose Bay. When it was reassembled, Lt. August Kleisch, USCG, flew the helicopter to a base camp that had been set up at Lake Herr about 146 miles south of Goose Bay, which could be supplied by ski planes. Kleisch had to make 9 trips into the crash site, each trip averaging an hour and a half, bringing out one man at a time. This rescue mission really showed the versatility of the helicopter. 3 0 | Floyd Bennett Field : Past, Present, & Future