Connecticut’s oldest airport…
Robertson Airport “Wings and Wheels”
Fly-In and Car Show is Sunday, July 1
Connecticut’s first airport, opened in 1911, will be the place-to-be for aviation and car enthusiasts on Sunday, July 1, when its first-ever fly-in and car show will be held. Named “Plainville Wings and Wheels”, for the central-Connecticut town where the airport is located, Robertson becomes the third Connecticut airport to hold such an event in recent years.
With attractions and events similar to that of the annual Simsbury Fly-In, first held in 1985, Robertson becomes the third Connecticut airport to promote GA via this crowd-getting format. Chester airport held its first fly-in in 2011 and has scheduled the 2012 Chester Air and Land Festival for Saturday, September 15. The 27th annual Simsbury Fly-In is Sunday, September 23.
Robertson Airport has seen new life and enthusiasm since it was purchased by the Town of Plainville in 2009— with the help of $7.4 million Federal and State funds. The Town’s new Aviation Commission and Town Manager Robert Lee, who strongly pushed for the airport’s purchase, have implemented a number of improvements at Robertson, with more to come.
Airport Office Manager Lynn Michaud, daughter of FBO Interstate Aviation’s founder Bill O’Leary, is actively involved in the fly-in’s planning. Interstate started business in 1971 and provides flight training, aircraft rental, piston and jet charter service and aircraft maintenance. Lynn may be reached at 860 747-5519.
The Plainville Wings and Wheels car show begins at 8 am and fly-in events start at 10 am. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for ages 5-11 and under 5 free. Parking is also free. There will be kids’ events, a live band, many interesting aircraft on display, aviation vendors and a wide variety of food vendors. Proceeds from the fly-in and car show will go to the Petit Family Foundation and the Plainville Community Food Pantry.
Neil Witkin, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer, has also been instrumental in planning the July 1 event. Scott Saunders is event chair: 860-8747-8837. Jeff Adams is marketing chair: 860-817-8465. The committee is currently selling sponsorships and ads in the event’s program book. The Fly-In’s car show is sponsored by the Bristol Auto Club. See www.bristolautoclub.com for more information.
Go to www.plainvillewingsandwheels.com for all the details about the big event. Flying in? Robertson is a popular non-towered airport—it’s probably best to land early. Be sure to let other pilots know your intentions starting at the FAA-recommended 10 miles out on the CTAF, 122.8. The 3,365 X 75 ft. paved runways are 2 and 20, left traffic, 1,000 ft. MSL pattern altitude. Call Robertson Unicom on 122.8 for advisories and wind. Bradley Approach 123.95; Hartford Brainard ATIS, 10 miles east, 126.45.
By Phil Worley