Local aviation club calls on local community for new permit and home
The club recently celebrated 60 years of teaching aviation, but are worried that their 61st year is in jeopardy. T
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A local aviation club is looking for new skies to fly in and needs help from local leaders and the community.
For Frank Verdejo and the Blue Angels, flying model planes means much more than just a hobby.
"That's a stepping stone to then being a pilot at LaGuardia or Kennedy Airport," said Verdejo.
Verdejo and the club recently celebrated 60 years of teaching aviation, but are worried that their 61st year is in jeopardy. They've been operating at Ferry Point Park for 20 years but their permit won't allow them to operate on weekends or weekday evenings.
"Right now, the permit is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can't really conduct a club like that and have your membership blossom and grow because your time is very limited," said Verdejo.
The club says they're considering moving to the Bartow-Pell mansion and have been in touch with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez to make that a reality.
Fernandez and Gibson's offices tell News 12 that the city's Parks Department is working with them to get the Blue Angels that seven-day permit to fly at Bartow-Pell Mansion.
