FEATURED AIRSTRIP: GOODSPEED, CT

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places.

This month’s Featured Airstrip is Goodspeed Airport, 42B, a most deserving place that welcomes visitors to land, camp and stroll through the nearby traditional New England village of East Haddam, CT. Last year, RAF volunteers used an RAF grant to install four tent platforms, a park-style barbecue grill,  several RAF fire rings, and an informational kiosk.  

Goodspeed’s 2,120-ft paved runway lies beside the historic Connecticut River. Its 4,500-ft seaplane base has an amphibious ramp and is the only one in southern New England. Bring your fishing gear and toss your line right from this scenic recreational airport. Launch your paddle boards and inflatables and drift in the river. More sophisticated attractions are within walking distance of your tie-downs, like restaurants, shops, and galleries. There’s even an opera house where you can enjoy award-winning live theater.

This distinctive airport was in jeopardy of closure when RAF Director Bill Brine learned that the owner had put the airport up for sale. Brine connected local aviation enthusiasts who then motivated a third-party foundation to add their resources. The RAF provided funds toward the down payment, leveraging the local group into an outright purchase, preserving this gem for public use in perpetuity.

For more information on Goodspeed, see the Airfield Guide.

By Carmine Mowbray
Submitted on June 25, 2025.