by Tom Chillemi
TOPPING—A 24-acre parcel at the north end of the Hummel Airfield runway in Topping has been purchased by pilot and builder Oscar Barber, who would like to make safety improvements.
Barber told the Middlesex Airport Committee at a special called meeting December 21 that he wants to build a temporary 500-foot-long runway extension on his newly-acquired property at no cost to Middlesex County, which owns Hummel Airfield. The proposed runway extension would be covered with grass over compacted, smooth soil, explained Barber, who said he has built grass runways before.
The extension would enhance safety by giving pilots a place to run off in an emergency, said Barber. It also could be used for take-offs and landings and add almost 25% more usable runway length…