In this episode of the Princeton Airport Podcast, our hosts discuss the May 2026 Princeton Airport monthly newsletter, opening with a new history video that highlights the Nierenberg family's ownership of the airport dating back to 1985. The episode celebrates community milestones, including recent solos by Joel Johnson and Charles Lao, Lorenzo Cagliero earning his private pilot certificate, and Parth Nayi locking in his certified flight instructor rating. The hosts also highlight upcoming events, including the Pilot Connect trivia event on May 30th. This unique trivia event pairs new student pilots with veteran owners to transfer knowledge and build community.

For pilots navigating the return of the Bedminster Presidential Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) this spring, the newsletter highlights a new video guide by certified flight instrument instructor Steve Hansel. He demystifies the process, explaining that flying through a TFR simply requires an active flight plan, a specific ATC-assigned transponder code, and maintaining two-way radio communication.

The episode also mentions the airport's fully certified Garmin Flight Simulator, which allows students to log up to two and a half hours toward a private pilot certificate and up to 10 hours for an instrument rating on unpredictable, gusty spring days.

The newsletter encourages avionics upgrades, noting that switching from analog gauges to modern digital glass panels synthesizes data and reduces a pilot's cognitive load, allowing them to better focus on outside traffic and ATC communications. Jack and Ken are standing by to assist with these avionics upgrades, as well as aircraft sales.

Additional updates remind pilots that Dr. Nosko's FAA medical exam dates are filling up incredibly fast for May, and the airport is currently accepting entries for the Photo of the Month contest, with submissions going to 39N@princetonairport.com.

For more details, listeners are directed to the May 2026 Princeton Airport Newsletter.

The episode reviews the April 2026 Princeton Airport monthly newsletter, opening with how retired NASA astronaut and former space shuttle Atlantis commander Ken "Hawk" Kam practiced touch-and-goes at Princeton Airport in 1982. It notes March's notoriously windy conditions and the return of longer daylight for evening flights, while emphasizing spring maintenance and rigorous pre-flight checks to prevent bird nests in engine cowlings and intakes that can cause airflow blockage or even in-flight fire. The newsletter encourages avionics upgrades, highlighting modern glass panels like the Garmin G3X Touch and GFC 500 autopilot, with Jack and Ken Berg available locally to help with panels or aircraft purchases. It warns about recurring Bedminster VIP TFRs and potential military intercepts and FAA enforcement, and promotes a mandatory Air Force webinar on April 9 at 10:00 AM. Additional updates include a certified Garmin flight simulator for loggable training hours, April medical exam dates with Dr. Michael Nosco and new FAA-approved color vision testing, and community congratulations and photo-of-the-month details. 00:00 Astronaut Roots at Princeton 00:24 April Newsletter Overview 00:41 Spring Flying and Bird Nests 01:30 Glass Panel Avionics Upgrades 02:25 VIP TFRs and Webinar 03:05 Simulator and Medical Dates 03:56 Student Milestones and Photos 04:19 From Runway to the Stars

February 2026 Princeton Airport Newsletter Highlights

In this episode of the Princeton Airport Podcast, our hosts discuss the February 2026 newsletter, highlighting winter operations and the efforts of the snow and maintenance teams.

Important updates include detailed cold starting advice for Cessna 172s, recommended practices for frost management, and new FAA-approved color vision testing available on-site with Dr. Michael Nosco.

Additionally, the episode celebrates recent pilot achievements, previews the Flying Tigers dinner event, and suggests winter as an ideal time for avionics upgrades.

For more details, listeners are directed to the online newsletter.

00:00 Welcome and Winter Weather Update

00:22 February Newsletter Highlights

00:37 Winter Operations and Maintenance

01:31 Cold Starting Tips for Cessna 172s

02:13 Flight Simulator and Student Achievements

02:48 Medical Updates and Color Vision Testing

03:19 Social Events and Avionics Upgrades

03:51 Closing Remarks and Contact Information