Airplane & Heli Field

Heckscher State Park flying fields (Suffolk Aero Modelers)

East Islip, NY

Get directions Upcoming events

At a glance

Flying area
AircraftHelicopters, Fixed wing, Giant scale
Runway surfaceGrass (Turf)
Runway size
Heli padsDedicated heli pads
Stations
Control lineNot sure
Track surfaceCarpet
On the water
Water
Size (acres)
Boats
Fuel boats
Courses
Course notes
Launch
Retrieval
Driver stand
Stand notes
Season
Sessions
Pond rules
Permit
Entrance
Flying rules
PowerElectric (battery), Glow / Nitro, Gas
Smoke
AMAYes - AMA membership required
FRIAYes - FAA-recognized FRIA
Noise
Who can fly
Who can fly hereMembers only
Field accessNot sure
Guest fee$40 State Park RC permit (2026)
When to fly
HoursDaylight hours, only when the park is open (State Park rules). AMA: from April 15 to mid-August the club uses grass Field 1 because the beach parking lot is closed for piping plover nesting
At the field
Facilities
Visitors
Camping
Pit powerNot sure

Runways

Runway 1Grass (Turf)
Runway 2Grass (Turf)
Runway 3Grass (Turf)

Rules for visitors

Max 90 dB at 9 ft; at least one permittee plus a spotter required; max 3 aircraft aloft; VLOS; FAA registration and TRUST required; no alcohol; fire extinguisher required for gas aircraft; no smoke devices; 15-minute flights when field in demand; no exhibitions/public events without park use permit
NY State Parks RC permit required ($40, valid 2/1/26-12/31/26, bought at the Heckscher park office with proof of AMA); permit valid only for the individual and covered by insurance - family members may observe but not fly

Recreational pilots need an FAA TRUST certificate, and aircraft over 250 g must be FAA registered.

About this field

Flying field of Suffolk Aero Modelers (SAM's) (AMA club #1336).

Two FAA FRIAs: 2023-CBO-02447-FRIA (Field 8) and 2023-CBO-02372-FRIA (Field 1), both Suffolk Aero Modelers #1336, Great River, expire 2027-09-22.

Camping & RV