HISTORY



This 1941 image shows four
airplane hangars with space
to their right which are now
home to Aviator Sports and
Recreation and it’s outdoor
fields.


There are many correlations between modern sports and early


aviation. Like sports today, aviation accomplishments could not be made and records could not be broken alone. Aviation took the support of a team: people to prepare a plane, strategize, chart the course, and navigate for the pilot. Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn played a significant role in the rich history of aviation in the United States Aviator Sports and Recreation is proud to be a part of that history and to bring some of the former glory back to this remarkable airfield.

Floyd Bennett Field (FBF) opened in 1931 as New York City’s first municipal airport. It enjoyed a storied tradition of aviation before being decommissioned in 1972. After decommissioning, FBF was incorporated into Gateway National Recreation Area (GNRA) which is the nation’s fourth largest national park. More than a million people visit the park every year to participate in bird watching, bike riding, kite flying, hiking, and numerous other outdoor activities. However, there had been little funding available to retain the integrity of the FBF hangars. Over the decades the hangars have been neglected and battering by the elements has resulted in a significant amount of decay, and a serious need for restoration.

Today, Aviator Sports and Recreation has breathed new life and excitement back into the tradition of Floyd Bennett Field.