Tradewind Aviation is growing its footprint in the Northeast with a new hangar facility at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Dutchess County, New York. Beginning in summer 2023, the 50,000 square-foot complex will be operational and will enhance the appeal for aircraft management clients residing and doing business in the Hudson Valley and other regions north of New York City, while also providing additional space for overflow aircraft from Tradewind’s longtime bases at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut and the Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
The award-winning private airline’s new hangar is well equipped for its fleet with over 50,000 square feet of class A office and hangar and over two acres of ramp. These facilities will allow Tradewind to further enhance its maintenance and operations support.
The investment in the new hangar is key for Tradewind’s growth plans as the airline continues to bolster its managed fleet of aircraft along with its purchase of 20 new Pilatus PC12-NGX directly from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The first of those turboprops arrived at the Westchester County Airport in December 2022 and will continue at a rate of at least four per year over the next five years.
Tradewind’s new presence will be a strong economic driver in Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley, while also broadening its recruitment area for pilots, trainees amassing flight hours, ground crew, and more – an important consideration at a time of staffing shortages in the broader aviation industry.
“We are pleased to be expanding with a new hangar and are looking forward to taking advantage of the services and convenience of Hudson Valley Regional Airport,” said Eric Zipkin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tradewind Aviation. “The Hudson Valley region is booming in many ways right now and is often referred to as the ‘New Hamptons’. As we take ownership of additional turboprops, add more routes to our scheduled flight service, and entice more people to discover the benefits of private aviation, the additional hangar space will be a big advantage for our operation.”
Formerly known as Dutchess County Airport, Hudson Valley Regional Airport is located seven miles south of Poughkeepsie in Wappingers Falls, New York, about an hour’s drive north of Westchester County Airport. The airport offers Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services including a full range of line and concierge services for aviation operators, including Shell Aviation fuels and products. The airport’s terminal stretches nearly 17,000 square feet and is home to several local businesses including tax experts, a café, and a flight academy.
