Departure
94%
vs 95% ▼ 1
MY FS FLIGHTS
MY FS FLIGHTS
Lakehurst Maxfield Field Airport (KNEL) is a military airfield near Lakehurst, New Jersey, historically associated with the Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst and the 1937 Hindenburg airship disaster. It offers two hard-surfaced, lit runways but no ILS, and operates under significant military access restrictions that make it a field of interest primarily to those following its aviation heritage rather than casual VFR visitors.
KNEL, also historically known as Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station or Maxfield Field, is a military airfield situated near Lakehurst, New Jersey. It sits at an elevation of 92 feet and has no instrument landing system, but is equipped with two substantial hard-surfaced runways. The field's enduring claim to fame is its association with the Hindenburg, and it remains an active military facility rather than a general-aviation destination.
The airfield lies approximately three miles west of the town of Lakehurst, New Jersey, at coordinates 40.0358 north, -74.3514 west. Approach and departure control in the area is provided by McGuire Approach/Departure, reflecting the field's position within the airspace associated with the wider Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst complex.
KNEL has two physical hard-surfaced runways, both lit. Runway 15/33 is 5000 feet long, and runway 06/24 is 4983 feet long. Neither runway is equipped with an ILS.
The published air-to-ground frequency is 124.15 MHz. McGuire Approach/Departure handles arrivals and departures in the surrounding airspace. Ground control operates on 118.375 MHz, and tower on 127.775 MHz. A remote communications outlet (RDO) associated with Millville is listed on 113.8 MHz.
Operations at KNEL are subject to significant military control. Published remarks indicate that takeoffs and landings during certain bird-watch conditions require specific real-time authorisation, contingent on visibility of at least 3000 feet and 5 statute miles and tower confirmation that bird-watch conditions are less than severe. Takeoffs and landings generally require approval from the appropriate operations group commander for based units, and equivalent authorisation for USAF transient aircraft.
The field's position roughly three miles west of the town of Lakehurst serves as the principal visual reference for locating the airfield when approaching from the surrounding area.
The airfield has long been known as the Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, and by the historical name Maxfield Field. It is closely associated with the Hindenburg, tying the site to one of the most significant events in the history of airship aviation.
KNEL remains an active military airfield with restricted access; operations are governed by military authorisation requirements rather than open civil use, and prior permission is required. No instrument landing system is available, and flying activity is closely tied to the tenant military units based at the field.