Our History

New York City’s first municipal airport, Floyd Bennett Field, was opened in 1931, the same year the Empire state Building was completed. Floyd Bennett Field has served as the home to our Nation’s most notable aviators including Howard Hughes, Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post and the infamous Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan.

Located in Brooklyn and a purported favorite of NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Floyd Bennett Field not only survived the Great Depression but served both NY and the U.S. nobly with hangars dedicated as Naval Air Reserve Base of New York as well as the New York City Police Department and the world’s first police aviation unit.

Housed in a former airplane hangar and featuring soaring ceilings and an architectural style that is rich with the history of aviation and modern life, Aviator Sports & Events Center inspires, excites, and motivates. The facility includes sports, recreation, and events spaces, as well as a full-service fitness center, gymnastics, and meeting and events rooms. The outdoor facilities include two multisport outdoor turf fields, as well as numerous outdoor fields, large event spaces a full-service sports restaurant, snack bar and catering services for everything from birthday parties to weddings.

The NPS and Aviator began their relationship in 2003. By combining Floyd Bennett Field’s original hangars they created one of the forth largest national parks in the U.S. and one of the largest sports complexes. History buffs will relish in the knowledge that Floyd Bennett Field’s past has been well preserved by the National Park Service which maintains a collection of its historic aircraft on display in a 1950’s era nose hangar.

Image by Paul Freeman