Pennridge Airport

AT A GLANCE PENNRIDGE AIRPORT WHAT: A privately-owned, public-use airport WHERE: In the Borough of Perkasie in East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania WEBSITE: www.pennridgeairport.com PENNRIDGE AIRPORT P ennridge Airport is a privately-owned, public- use airport located one mile north of the central business district of the Borough of Perkasie in East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Airport was completed in 1965, when Joseph A. Gloster and William Hart Rufe III formed Pennridge Development Enterprises, Inc. (PDE). Gloster was a quarry owner and heavy equipment operator who laid out the runway, hauled the stone, and did the grading for the runway. Rufe, a lawyer, and later, a county judge, did the land acquisition and mortgage financing, contracted for the paving of the runway and construction of the first hanger and terminal building, and handled the paperwork to get the Airport licensed. The business plan was to develop a corporate complex catering to airplane-using companies around the Airport. Pennridge’s first FBO was Hortman Aviation, Inc., owned by Norm Hortman, a senior TWA pilot, and his brother, Bob Hortman. Norm had a Piper Cub sales distributorship, and operated Pennridge Airport, remotely, from his primary base at the Morrisville Airport until April 1968. The next FBO was Bryant Aviation, Inc. operated by Jack and Marge Bryant. They managed the airport, sold airplanes, gave flying lessons, flew charter flights, sold airplane fuel, rented planes, and operated the 36’ x 24’ terminal building. They also hired an airplane mechanic to service planes. In 1970, Rufe bought out Gloster’s share of the stock and became the sole owner of the Airport. Later, the FBO fell in arrears on the rental and Rufe was in danger of losing the Airport. He was approached by a real estate developer who R E A D Y T O G R O W