Tag Archives: monmouth executive airport

AIRPORT OWNER FILES CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES AGAINST THE MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF AND COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT

24 September 2024   Monmouth Jet Center

First Amendment Rights Were Violated in Attempt to Suppress Information About County’s Plan to Seize Airport

September 24, 2024                                                                          973-403-7836                 

( Trenton, NJ  ) The owner of the Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall Township  – whose property  has been targeted for an eminent domain taking by the Monmouth County Commissioners –  has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Monmouth County Sheriff, the county and the county Parks Department, alleging that his First Amendment rights were violated when his employees were prohibited from accessing the county fair grounds to distribute leaflets informing people of the county’s attempt to seize his property.

Alan Antaki, who is president of Wall Herald Corporation – the corporate owner of the airport and surrounding properties — said several of his employees volunteered to go to the county fair on Sunday, July 28 to hand out fliers to fair goers. The fliers informed people of the county’s impending eminent domain action and directed them to the airport’s new website where they could access information about the  seizure of his private property and its potential cost. www.pprmonmouth.com

After about 10 minutes at the fairgrounds, the three workers were removed from the fair by county park rangers and sheriff’s officers, who escorted them to an area outside the entrance to the fair and made to stand near a couple of sheriff’s vehicles.  A few minutes later, one of the rangers hastily spray-painted a square box on the ground and the workers were told to stand inside the painted box. They were told that they were not to talk to or approach any fair goers; and that the fliers could only be handed to people who asked for them.

In the federal court filing, the attorney for Antaki, says his free speech rights were violated noting: “WHC has the right, protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, to distribute leaflets containing information about the County’s plan to violate private property rights and condemn the Airport.”

Antaki filed an OPRA request on August 22 seeking the names of the sheriff’s officers on duty at the time, along an incident report of the encounter with the airport employees and body-camera video from the sheriff’s officers who were involved in the removal of the airport employees from the fair. The sheriff’s department said no incident report or video exists.

The civil rights filing states: “By removing WHC’s employees from the County fairgrounds and then forcing WHC’s employees to stand in a hastily created 10×10 spray-painted box in front of two marked Sheriff’s Office vehicles, WHC’s right of free speech has been violated.”

The filing adds: “The Defendants’ actions were intended to restrict WHC from educating the public on the County’s intentions, the financial risk and substantial costs involved in the County’s anticipated seizure of the Airport.”

The complaint, filed by Matthew Dolan, of Meyner and Landis of Newark, alleges: “Defendants’ actions are motivated in whole or in part by their desire to assist the County with its condemnation efforts and prevent County citizens from obtaining information on the anticipated condemnation.” 

SECRETIVE OPERATIONS

The county commissioners have been secretive about their intentions to take the airport, says Antaki. The Commissioners first revealed their intention of using eminent domain to seize the 340-acre airport and 400 adjacent acres owned by WHC – on November 9, 2023, when they passed a resolution announcing their intention to pursue a government claim on the property.

The resolution was approved two days after Election Day. Throughout the fall campaign season that year, neither the commissioners, the Republican commissioner candidates, nor the sheriff  made any mention of the county’s intention to take the airport. Commissioners Ross F. Licitra and Erik Anderson were the Republicans who ran for election and won in 2023.  Sheriff Shaun Golden is also the Monmouth County Republican Organization Chairman, whose job includes financing and running county elections.

Antaki said the fact that the commissioners waited until after Election Day to reveal their intentions to take the airport, demonstrates the commissioners’ intention to keep the airport seizure from the voters.

“I doubt the commissioners woke up on November 9 and said to themselves – ‘let’s use our powers of eminent domain to take the airport and the property around it,’ ” said Antaki. “Obviously the county commissioners made their decision to take my property months, if not a year in advance, but they did not want the voters to know about it – and they still do not want the people to know about their plans.”

The county hired special counsel to handle the eminent domain taking of the airport in May of 2023 – after issuing a Request for Qualifications months earlier – yet never mentioned the hiring or its purpose to the public.

Dolan said the county’s efforts to silence the airport workers and stop them from using their First Amendment rights to tell people what the county is doing to Mr. Antaki; “is a furtherance of the county’s desire to suppress information about the airport. They clearly do not want voters and taxpayers to know about their scheme.”

 Antaki noted that the commissioners used the county fair to distribute information about the county – allowing county employees to distribute information about departmental services and answer questions — according to a press release the county issued about the fair in July.

“So, it is okay for the county government to present information to the public, but it’s not okay for anyone who disagrees with county government. That’s not transparent, that’s not democracy,” said Antaki.

County Interference with the Airport

The federal filing also points out that the county’s actions at the fair are further related to attempts by the county, Sheriff Golden and the sheriff’s office to interfere with the airport and to ultimately condemn the airport lots.

In 2019 the airport applied to the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Federal Coordinating Center (FCC) to designate the airport a national disembarkation site and a key player in America’s national disaster response. In order to receive approval from NDMS the local County Office of Emergency Management must agree to the plan. The County OEM is a division of the Sheriff’s Office overseen by the Sheriff’s Office and Golden.

“Despite being afforded the opportunity to serve a vital role in assisting disaster victims from other states, bring more Federal funding to the County and create favorable press and exposure for the Airport and the County, the County OEM was uncooperative with federal officials,” reads the complaint.

In a May 6, 2021 email to Mr. Antaki from Paul Malool (NDMS Federal Coordinator) Malool said:

“I need to update you all.  I, 100 % agree that KBLM’s (KBLM is the FAA’s designated identifier code for Monmouth Executive Airport) involvement with NDMS would be a tremendous benefit not only for the airport but for the local and county departments.  However, I had tremendous push back from Monmouth County OEM that they will not support the NDMS program at Monmouth Executive Airport.  IF we were activated, I need the support not only from the airport but from local, county and state. I have reached out to the NJ State Office of Emergency Management to meet with and discuss us going further.  I am not done with KBLM!”

The lack of cooperation from Sheriff Golden with the NDMS caused the airport to lose the NDMS designation – and federal law enforcement grants that go with it, said Antaki.

Dolan said in his complaint, that: “although the County had an opportunity to play a key role in helping fellow Americans who are beset by disaster, the County and the Sheriff’s Office were more interested in furthering the County’s efforts to sabotage the Airport, at the expense of County constituents, than to help the County and the Airport.”

The complaint asks for a jury trial and unspecified damages to be paid to Antaki and his company.

Benefits of using Monmouth Executive Airport

12 October 2021   Monmouth Jet Center

If you’ve ever experienced flight delays, congestion, and huge security lines at a commercial airport, we know you’ll be interested to hear the many benefits of using Monmouth Executive Airport. Air travel is often stressful, and large international airports are notorious for delayed and even cancelled flights, long wait times for security and boarding, and all the other frustrations that come with flying. 

But at smaller, executive airports like Monmouth, you’ll find a stress-free experience with all the amenities you’re used to and more. Flying and traveling should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience, and at our airport that’s exactly what you’ll get. 

Monmouth Airport is close to major highways 

Monmouth Executive Airport is located in Wall Township, New Jersey, and is a great alternative to nearby congested airports in New York City and Philadelphia. We’re located a mere five minutes away from the Garden State Parkway, a 10-minute drive from the Jersey Shore, and a one-hour drive from Atlantic City, New York, and Philadelphia. With so many popular destinations nearby, Monmouth Airport is a convenient choice. 

Same high standards of security as larger airports 

We take security very seriously. All aircrafts that come through our airport are thoroughly inspected before and after flying. We also have an on-site aircraft maintenance team who ensure all airplanes are in top condition, and we routinely conduct troubleshooting exercises and conduct safety inspections.

Private planes can land on unused runways 

Monmouth Airport isn’t just for passenger planes. Private jet charters often use our airport because of the convenience, and because we have the longest private runway in the country! Whether you have your own private plane or you’ve hired a plane for a weekend,  you can land quickly and conveniently at our airport. 

Greater efficiency – less congested, fast processing, and hassle-free travel

Imagine how wonderful it would be to go to the airport and not experience long lines, long wait times, and inevitable flight delays? At Monmouth Airport that’s exactly what you’ll get, and we pride ourselves on providing an exceptional experience for all passengers. 

For more information about using Monmouth Executive Airport, or if you have any questions, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com/

Capacity and Delays at New York Airports: The Role of Monmouth

7 September 2021   Monmouth Jet Center

Anyone who has traveled through New York airports has probably experienced capacity issues and delays. Large commercial airports, especially in New York, are notorious for overbooked flights, delays taking off due to lack of runway space, and other congestion issues that disrupt your travel plans and cause major frustrations. 

Many people have discovered the perks of using smaller airports like Monmouth Executive Airport. Located nearby in New Jersey, Monmouth Airport offers a convenient alternative to crowded, hectic New York airports like JFK and LGA, and it’s a short Uber ride away from New York City and surrounding areas. 

Capacity and delays at JFK and LGA

JFK and LGA are two of the busiest airports in the country and consistently rank among the airports with the highest numbers of delays. With domestic and international flights landing around the clock, chances are if you’ve ever flown to or from JFK or LGA, you’ve encountered delays. Larger passenger flights generally take priority over smaller, private planes or hired aircraft. So if you’re looking for alternatives, why not try a general aviation reliever airport like Monmouth?

Role of Monmouth as general aviation reliever airport

A general aviation reliever airport is designed to relieve congestion from major New York airports, which as already mentioned, are the busiest in the country. Monmouth is located nearby in New Jersey and can accommodate larger commercial aircraft as well as smaller personal aircraft, and flight traffic averages around 150 flights per day. We are 5 minutes from the Garden State Parkway (Exit 98), less than 10 minutes from popular Jersey Shore Points and approximately an hour drive from NY, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. Not to mention, our helicopter service to NYC will get you there in 20 minutes.

With an Ideal airport location, full aviation services, and first-class amenities – there’s no better alternative.

Capacity at Monmouth Airport NJ

Spread out over 850 acres and with two full-size runways, Monmouth Executive Airport has on-site hangars and maintenance teams who service aircraft and ensure they’re ready to fly. So whether you’re flying in a private jet or a smaller personal aircraft, avoid the major NYC airports with flight delays and other headaches, and opt instead for a much more convenient option at Monmouth. 

For more information about using Monmouth Executive Airport, or if you have any questions, please contact our team today. Discover why so many people choose us to avoid capacity issues and delays in New York. We look forward to hearing from you.

What are the responsibilities and authorities of a pilot? 

1 August 2021   General Pilots

Do you dream about becoming a pilot and exploring the sky? Aside from flying the plane, perhaps you’re curious about the various responsibilities and authorities that come with being a pilot. Here at Monmouth Airport, we’ve helped many people achieve their dream of taking to the sky and becoming a certified pilot, but it’s important to know everything that’s required to do the job before deciding if this is the career path for you.

Continue reading →

Sport pilot FAQ

13 July 2021   Learn to Fly

Are you interested in becoming a sport pilot? For those who are just starting on their pilot journey, a sport pilot license is one of the easiest certifications to obtain. Mainly intended for those who wish to fly as a hobby, with a sport pilot certification you are licensed to fly light aircrafts only, during daytime hours, and you must stay within your local area. You’re also permitted to have only one passenger and must stay below an altitude of 10,000 feet. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most frequently asked questions about being a sport pilot, including qualifications and training.

Who is eligible to become a sport pilot?

  • You must be at least 17 years old to begin a sport pilot qualification course
  • You must be able to read, write and speak English
  • You must have a third class medical certificate, or a valid license for light-sport aircraft operation

What kind of training is needed to qualify as a sport pilot?

  • You must log at least 20 hours of flight time, 15 of which must be with a licensed flight instructor. Your remaining five hours must be solo flights.
  • Types of training you must log during your flying time include cross-country flight training, take-offs and landings, and a solo cross-country flight.

What are the limitations of a sport pilot license?

  • You cannot accept money for transporting people or cargo
  • You cannot have more than one passenger on board
  • You cannot fly at night
  • You cannot fly at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet 
  • You cannot fly in certain classes of airspace

How long will it take to obtain my sport pilot certification?

On average, it takes people between six weeks and three months, assuming they already have the necessary medical certificate or driver’s license required to begin studying and training. Everyone completes their sport pilot training at their own pace, so the time frame depends on how frequently you can study and log practice hours.

Learn to fly at Monmouth Airport in New Jersey

At Monmouth Executive Airport, we’ve helped many people achieve their dream of learning to fly. Whether you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a pilot or you’re only interested in flying as a hobby, our NJ flight school instructors will support you on your journey. We provide industry-leading education and training, so you’ll be up in the air in no time. 

For more information about earning your sport pilot certification, or if you’re interested in obtaining other pilot certifications, please contact our team at Monmouth Executive Airport today. Discover why so many people come to us for sport pilot training in NJ.