Princeton Airport Podcast

June 2026 Princeton Airport Podcast The Princeton Airport Podcast provides a pre-flight briefing of the June 2026 monthly newsletter for local pilots and aviation community members, highlighting a new video by Abby Gold and Peter Trilling covering the airport's family history since 1985 and upcoming events: the PAFT picnic on June 3, the first summer BBQ on June 27 (12–2 PM), and summer tours star...

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 P...

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 p...

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 availab...

In the latest episode of the Princeton Airport Podcast, the hosts discuss the highlights from the January 2026 newsletter, emphasizing the vibrant community and operational updates at the airport. They celebrate significant achievements like new pilot milestones, including Sara Seidel obtaining her private pilot's license and the first solo flights of Andrew Bosworth, Chris Perez, and Adam Elcharf...

In this episode of the Princeton Airport Podcast, we dive into the December 2025 newsletter, uncovering key insights and updates. We celebrate the accomplishments of student pilots Santiago Medrano, Lorenzo Calero, and Alexander Mary who achieved their first solo flights, and Maya Nyak, who earned her private pilot certificate.  The episode also highlights the Garmin flight simulator's role in tra...

In this episode, we review the November 2025 newsletter from Princeton Airport 39N, focusing on key updates and essential information for pilots and the aviation community. Highlights include preparation for cold weather with specific maintenance advice for different aircraft, night flying readiness, and adherence to cold weather procedures. The airport addresses presidential TFRs with practical r...

The deep dive into Princeton Airport for October 2025 covers key updates and achievements. The newsletter highlights the beauty of flying before the daylight savings time change and the significant accomplishments of new private pilots and instrument-rated pilots. The Garmin simulator's benefits for training, updates on presidential TFR preparedness, and the importance of fuel management for safet...

In this episode of the  Princeton Airport Podcast , we bring you all the latest updates from 39N as we head into fall. September marked the busiest flying month of the year, with long summer days fueling lessons, solos, and check rides. Now, as the season shifts, we're looking at the crisp, clear skies and colorful landscapes that make autumn one of the most rewarding times to fly. Here's what you...

In this episode, we dive into the August 2025 newsletter from Princeton Airport. We celebrate significant student accomplishments, including first solo flights and new certifications. We highlight the upcoming end-of-summer barbecue, the role of the community in fostering aviation passions, and the airport's investment in modern training resources with new aircraft. We also cover essential operati...

Welcome to The Princeton Airport Podcast . In this episode, we dive into the July 2025 Newsletter from Princeton Airport. It's a vibrant snapshot of summer flying, community events, and cutting-edge upgrades. From the buzz of a well-attended BBQ and the thrill of student pilot achievements to the rollout of brand-new Skyhawks and high-tech avionics upgrades, this newsletter tells the story of a th...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this follow-up episode Pete continued his conversation with Colin Unsworth, ex US Air Force Colonel, and retired FedEx Captain. Pete and Colin discussed a wide range of aviation topics and shared stories regarding flight training, weather conditions, military operations, flying passenger...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus.   In this episode Pete sat down with Bill Ducharme, born in 1930 and now quite possibly New Jersey's oldest certified active private pilot.    Pete and Bill discussed a wide range of aviation topics and shared stories regarding Bill's early flight training, his experiences here at Princeton...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete sat down with Colin Unsworth, ex US Air Force Colonel, and retired FedEx Captain. Pete and Colin discussed a wide range of aviation topics and shared stories regarding flight training, weather conditions, military operations, flying passengers, flying cargo, flight emer...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete sat down with 1st Lt Robert McClellan, Commander of the Twin Pine Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.   Pete and Rob discussed many of the benefits of being a Civil Air Patrol volunteer - whether a CAP Cadet or a senior member… whether a pilot or a parent… inter...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete invited Col. John 'Skip' Rawson, aviator, businessman, and one of the colorful characters here at the Princeton Airport for a Part Two Interview.    Pete and Skip covered a lot of ground in their last interview, but Skip still had plenty of stories to share about the  p...

In Episode 6 of the Princeton Flying School Podcast Pete Rafle sat down with Jeff Slutsky, Chief Pilot of the Princeton Flying School. Pete and Jeff talked about the current state of flight training, as well as some of the experiences that they have encountered as flight instructors here at the Princeton Flying School.   We trust this podcast episode will be helpful and informative, and may at tim...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete sat down with Col. John 'Skip' Rawson, aviator, businessman, and one of the colorful characters here at the Princeton Airport. As we will learn, Skip b egan flying in Cubs at the age of 14.  He later flew B 47's and Constellations in the Air Force.  Skip has also flown...

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete sat down with Naomi Nierenberg, co-owner of Princeton Airport. They talked about the history of the airport, the early days of the Princeton Flying School, and some of the colorful characters who played a part in the history of the airport.

Welcome to the Princeton Flying School Podcast with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete sat down with Jon Nierenberg to talk about his life in the Alaskan wilderness, as co-owner and operator with his wife Karin, of Earthsong Lodge, as well as Denali Dog Sled Expeditions. And of course they talked about the challenges and opportunities of Alaskan aviation.

Welcome to "From The Right Seat" with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete shares a few flying stories and teaching tips gained from his 55 years in the air… including his years with Pan Am and TWA. "From The Right Seat" with Pete Rafle is sponsored by the Princeton Flying School at the Princeton Airport and is produced by HG Media. If you enjoyed our podca...

Welcome to "From The Right Seat" with Pete Rafle, Princeton Flying School Instructor Emeritus. In this episode Pete shares a few flying stories and teaching tips gained from his 55 years in the air… including Scattering Ashes the Right Way per Dick Nierenberg's instructions… and The Sounds of Great Landings as personally demonstrated by Pete. "From The Right Seat" with Pete Rafle is sponsored by t...