From the Flight Deck - Republic Airport (FRG)

[@ZULU1966]

Although KFRG does not provide any commercial service , it’s the third busiest airport ( in terms of operations) in the state of NY. I have personally heard pilots waiting up to 40 minutes to depart , especially on a beautiful VFR day . All in all exemplary job to all the staff at FRG for keeping the airport safe ! O.P

[@williamwang6705]

I have personally waited over 45 minutes for a takeoff clearance in the past on numerous occasions. The controllers never used to permit intersection takeoffs to VFR, but they've warmed up to the idea and now freely assigns intersections sometimes, and will consider all intersection takeoff requests, so the waiting has gotten much better than a few years ago.

[@DavidLombardo]

It's an extremely busy airport and operation! They do an amazing job. Also, notable mention, but if you listen carefully to the ATC transmissions, you can very clearly hear (at least, hear what I believe to me) the sound of a stripboard. It has a very distinctive 'clack' when the holders hit each other. These guys are working a chess game of airplanes, really amazing job by that tower.

[@lisweetie1556]

@@DavidLombardo absolutely. Good ear! That sound brings back memories of my ATC days! Not something you hear very often these days.

[@PilotDaveLI]

The redesign makes for a nightmare when runway 1 is in use.

[@marcogobbo777]

Who said it's the 3rd? you're very wrong on this info. FRG is the 2nd busiest (JFK 1st, FRG 2nd, LGA 3rd), just so you know.

[@Windtee]

It's great seeing the runway/taxiway project finally done. Let the wing-rockin' games continue!

[@civwar64bob77]

I took flying lessons in the mid 1970s out of Zahn's Airport, which was in North Amityville, and directly south of Republic. It was an uncontrolled field, and It's primary (and almost solely used) runway was directly north/south. I still remember how, flying the north downwind leg, it looked like I was on a short final to Republic before turning a right base leg to land going south. And when taking off north, I wondered if the Cessna 150's engine failed if I could nake it to the Republic runway if the winds were light. They closed and sold the field I think around 1980. BTW, it had a very short pot-holed cross runway where you took off and landed over telephone wires and definitely you had to use your short-field technique. Oh, and they didn't plow the main runway--they just packed the snow down. It was definitely an experience.

[@saratogawinner934]

damn that pattern sounded busy!!

[@Piper_PA]

I would like to dedicate a special thanks to the controllers at Republic, and a Hello to my good friend Al Cerullo.

[@gs550t81]

I love flying there! Great video!

[@TroyHill442]

Sweet

[@rty1955]

KFRG is the only state run airport in the metro area. ATC trainees are in the tower.be VERY cautious of thier requests. Be aware of everything going on KFRG is also the home of Fairchild, designer amd builder of the A-10

[@Saml01]

Missed an opportunity to inform pilots of the airports very specific use of surrounding waypoints to sequence traffic especially during very busy periods. If there are pilots out there reading this. Make sure you understand where all the way points are and their names, you could be told to fly to them before you enter the pattern. "The Mall" refers to Walt Whitman mall and is not a way point on the sectional but is used as a waypoint to direct aircraft into R19. This airport also has a hot spot at the Bravo run up. When its busy and departures are on runway 10, planes typically get backed up there and are unable to leave or enter the Atlantic ramp. Sequencing into runway 14 or runway 19 if approaching from the north could also be Northport Stack, Deer Park VOR for a left down wind. If you are approaching from the west and are asked to report Belmont Lake, make sure you are actually over it when reporting.

[@GE90man]

Yes, to add, two very common reporting points are Northport stacks from the north and the Captree monument from the south.

[@aa777888]

I've been curious about how good or bad these videos are, but couldn't make a judgement until there was one for an airport with which I had already experienced. FRG is an excellent choice, it is extremely busy and presents a high level of complexity. I was very disappointed that there was no discussion of local, unofficial reporting points. These are so important to smooth flow. Yet they remain undocumented for transient pilots like myself and were not covered at all in this video. Contrast this with MLB where documentation of their local reporting points is easy to find. P.S. my hat is off to FRG ATC: they made my helicopter arrival and departure so smooth it was literally shocking, even though I was clearly a transient and not familiar with local, unofficial landmarks.