RPTED SIT OF A LONG TERM OUTAGE OF THE ARPT ROTATING BEACON MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR PLTS TO LOCATE THE ARPT AT NIGHT DUE TO LIGHTS IN THE AREA.

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THE REASON FOR FILING THIS RPT IS DUE TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT EXISTS AT THE OCEAN CITY MUNICIPAL ARPT IN NEW JERSEY (26N). THE ARPT IS EQUIPPED WITH A ROTATING BEACON; HOWEVER; THIS LIGHTING IS NOT BEING UTILIZED BY ARPT MGMNT. THE ARPT IS VERY BUSY DURING THE SUMMER SEASON; AND IS HARD TO LOCATE AT NIGHT DUE TO LIGHTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. WHEN RADAR VECTORING PLTS TO THE ARPT AT NIGHT; MANY PLTS WILL NOT SEE THE ARPT UNTIL IN THE TFC PATTERN. THIS COUPLED WITH A 475 FT OBSTRUCTION LOCATED 2 MI NW OF THE FIELD; PROVIDES AN UNSAFE SIT TO UNFAMILIAR PLTS. IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE ARPT MGR HAS BEEN ADVISED BY A LCL ATC FACILITY OF THE CONCERN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE ARPT MGR ADVISED THAT THE ROTATING BEACON WAS 'BROKEN' AND THEY PLANNED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND OPERATIONAL IN A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME. 2 YRS LATER THE ROTATING BEACON IS STILL OTS; AND IS NOW LISTED IN THE ARPT FACILITY DIRECTORY AS 'ROTATING BEACON OTS INDEFINITE.' MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT PRESSURE FROM A CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT; ADJACENT TO THE ARPT; HAS ELIMINATED THE USE OF THIS VALUABLE AID TO NAV. WITH SUMMER APCHING IN THE NEAR FUTURE; THE PROB NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. EITHER CLOSE THE ARPT FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE; OR LET THE ELECTRICITY FLOW!!!