Community Corner

Airport Manager: Trap and Skeet Too Dangerous for Aircraft

Anthony Ceglio says a search for a more suitable location other than next to the airport should be conducted.

In response to a proposal to move a Yapank-based Trap and Skeet range to a location near Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, Airport Manager Anthony Ceglio has said that the county should search for a "more suitable location."

According to Ceglio, the flight patters for two of Gabreski Airport's three runways go "almost directly over the property in question" and the 106th Air National Guard uses the same area for helicopter training.

"Firing into the air is a potential safety hazard for any aircraft operating in the vicinity of that area," said Ceglio. "A search for a more suitable location other than next to the airport should be conducted."

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Ceglio also pointed out that "The Federal Aviation Administration guidance regarding use of land near an airport states that the sponsor (in this case the county) will take appropriate action to restrict the use of land adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of the airport to activities and purposes compatible with normal airport operations, including landing and takeoff of aircraft."

Property owner Edwin Tuccio has argued that concerns voiced so far about skeet shooting, including the county executive calling the idea "boneheaded" are "ridiculous to even bring up."

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"Skeet beebees can't even bring a sparrow down," he said.

Tuccio made the comments in a Newsday article earlier this week. The article reported that Legis. Kate Browning, WF-Shirley, has been attempting to find a new home for the county's trap and skeet range - currently located at Southaven County Park in Yaphank - for years, as a potential location - though that never came to fruition.

The issue is expected to be brought up again next year.

 

 

 


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