When the temperature falls to 25°F and below, the engine needs to be pre-heated.  Plan on the extra time for this, and that you may not be the first in line for the line man to heat your airplane.  Be ready to start the engine quickly after the heater has been removed.

You must also bring an equal number of unwrapped gifts for NEEDY children.  In the lobby there will be two chimneys to receive the respective gifts.  Get your gifts in early as Santa dispenses them in the order we receive them.  (Collection starts Nov. 28th.)  

On Christmas Eve Day the Flying Tigers will help us with the crowd and giving out cookies & cocoa.  Pat McKinley, a local folk singer will sing holiday songs with the children, while  airport manager, Ken Nierenberg, transforms into Santa at a neighboring airport.   When Santa is near the airport we bring the public out on the ramp to watch Santa fly over.  Once he lands, everyone returns to the hangar and Santa will do his thing.  It's a great event.   We need all the eyes and ears to assure safety, so if you can come and help us on the 24th, please let us know. 

P.S.  The needy gifts are dispersed through the Mercer County Board of Social Services who has become dependent upon the generosity of the airport family.  If you just would like to donate to the needy, that's great.   This year we will also collect canned and/or boxed food for the area Food Banks.  Please help out.