Parlin Field Keeps Sullivan County Connected to Regional Economy

Parlin Field (FAA identifier 2B3) sits about 2 miles north of Newport center at coordinates 43.3871353, -72.1876142 and an elevation near 784 feet. The town-owned airport operates a paved primary runway, Runway 18/36, roughly 3,446 by 50 feet, and a secondary turf runway, Runway 12/30, about 1,997 by 80 feet. Local NOTAMs frequently note that the turf runway is often closed November through May, a seasonal constraint that shifts some training, recreational and light-transport traffic onto the paved surface during winter months.

Fuel and basic services are available on-site: 100LL avgas is provided via self-serve pumps around the clock, payable by credit card, while hangars, tiedowns and airframe-and-powerplant services are listed regionally to support aircraft maintenance. The airport’s FAA-recorded management and ownership by the Town of Newport mean municipal oversight of operations and infrastructure priorities. Instrument procedures and other technical operational details are published in FAA documents, and pilots are advised by local notices about wildlife hazards and noise abatement procedures intended to reduce community disturbance.

For Sullivan County, Parlin Field functions as more than a strip of pavement. It supports small-business travel and client visits in a rural county where road trips can consume hours, provides a base for flight training that introduces new pilots to the region, and offers a conduit for seasonal visitors to the Lake Sunapee area whose spending helps local hotels, restaurants and recreation providers. The availability of 24/7 fueling reduces barriers for transient pilots and medical or emergency flights that require flexible timing.

Longer-term economic and policy questions shadow operations. Small, town-owned airports like Parlin Field typically depend on a mix of municipal budgets, state assistance and federal grant programs to fund runway maintenance, snow removal and safety upgrades. Seasonal constraints on the turf runway concentrate wear on the paved strip and can alter capacity during peak summer months, suggesting a need for planning around maintenance cycles and potential investments to preserve reliability for local businesses and emergency services.

Operational advisories aimed at wildlife and noise control also reflect the balancing act between aviation activity and community quality of life. For residents and local officials, maintaining Parlin Field’s readiness means weighing the costs of upkeep against its role as an economic and emergency-services asset for Newport and the wider Lake Sunapee region.