From its art deco architectural design to its historic integrity and
preservation, Floyd Bennett Fieldis a must-have for, aviation, and New
York history enthusiasts.
Although New York City was slowly recognizing the need for a municipal
airport in the late 1920s, it sought to regain prominence by
constructing the most advanced airport of its day.
Construction in the far reaches of Brooklyn was started on October 29,
1929, the day of the stock market crash that heralded the Great
Depression. The airport was named posthumously for Floyd Bennett, a
Brooklyn native, Navy pilot, and Medal of Honor winner. Unfortunately,
because of many factors--including poor timing, politics, and remoteness
from Manhattan--the airfield was a commercial failure. Its advanced
features, however, made it a mecca for private aircraft and the site of
numerous record-breaking flights.
Aviation historian Richard V. Porcelli, author of Arcadia Publishing's
NAS Atlantic Cityand numerous articles, tells how the Navy became an
early tenant in a move that would impact the airfield's destiny. In
1941, the Navy's presence led to the establishment of NAS New York,
which played a key role in the wartime delivery of planes from numerous
area factories. After the war, it served as an important Naval Air
Reservebase until its closure in 1971.