Central Jersey Regional Airport

Central Jersey Regional Airport (FAA identifier: 47N) is a privately owned, public-use aerodrome located in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Positioned roughly one nautical mile (2 km) south of the central business district of Manville, the airport lies within Hillsborough Township and serves as a significant general aviation facility for the region. Formerly known as Kupper Airport, it retains an important local heritage while supporting contemporary aviation needs. The Federal Aviation Administration identifies the airport as a general aviation reliever airport under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (2011–2015), reflecting its role in reducing congestion at larger commercial airports.

Historical Background

The airport was originally established by Charles Kupper, a real estate investor who aimed to support increasing aviation activity in central New Jersey. Managed for many years by Manville Aviation, the facility evolved from a modest local strip into a multi-purpose general aviation site.
A noteworthy historical feature of the grounds is the Van Nest–Weston Burying Ground, a small cemetery predating the area’s aviation activity. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, airport operations included a short 2,000-foot unimproved grass runway constructed perpendicular to the paved runway. This supplementary strip extended southeast from a point just northeast of the beginning of Runway 7, providing additional landing options during early development phases.
Previously, the airport supplied both 80LL and 100LL aviation fuels, though only the latter is currently offered. Pilots have long noted the challenge of stiff north-westerly crosswinds, a distinctive operational consideration that adds complexity to take-off and landing procedures.

Facilities and Layout

Central Jersey Regional Airport occupies 119 acres (48 hectares) and sits at an elevation of 86 feet (26 m) above mean sea level. The aerodrome features a single paved runway:

• Runway 7/25
  • Surface: Asphalt
  • Dimensions: 3,507 × 50 ft (1,069 × 15 m)
  • Usage: General aviation operations including training, private flying and recreational aviation

The airport infrastructure supports a variety of on-field services designed to cater to pilots and aircraft owners. These include:

• 100LL aviation fuel
• Aircraft parking and ground handling services
• Aircraft maintenance and service facilities
• Aircraft rental options
• Pilot lounge, flight supplies and ancillary amenities
• Raritan Valley Composite Squadron (NJ003) of the Civil Air Patrol, which conducts cadet training and community programmes
• A local Pizza & Pasta restaurant, making the airport a popular casual stop for recreational aviators

Aircraft Activity and Operations

For the twelve-month period ending 7 September 2022, Central Jersey Regional Airport recorded 46,300 general aviation aircraft operations, averaging 127 movements per day. The airport serves a substantial base of local and transient pilots, with 90 aircraft housed on-site during the same period:

• 87 single-engine aeroplanes
• 3 multi-engine aeroplanes

These figures reflect the airport’s continuing role as a busy general aviation environment within central New Jersey.

Operational Significance

As a designated general aviation reliever, the airport contributes to the broader aviation system by accommodating smaller aircraft, thereby mitigating traffic at larger commercial hubs such as Newark Liberty International Airport. Its location in Somerset County provides convenient access for pilots operating in New Jersey’s growing suburban corridor.
In addition to supporting private and instructional flying, the airport facilitates community aviation activities, including Civil Air Patrol operations, local events and small-business aviation services. The combination of historic features, steady operations and community-oriented functions preserves its relevance in regional aviation.