CAPITAL CLOSE-UP

cadets of our squadron.”
Cellecz, a retired
Federal Express employee
now living in Florida,
recalls growing up in
Plainville and how CAP
impacted his life. “The
Civil Air Patrol is responsible
for my aviation
career. My family had no
connection to aviation,
but as a cadet, I was able
to get my private pilot’s
In 1953, Stan Robertson
license and pursue my love
began building an airport with
of flying.”
his own hands, and local
“It was a privilege to be
volunteers eagerly joined in to
trained by Stan
help. Over the past 50 years,
Robertson,” he added.
the airport has launched the
“His solid basic instructions
gave me a sturdy
aviation careers of countless
pilots, many of them trained
foundation to build a
by Robertson.
career and a lifetime of flying.”
The young pilot later
became an instructor to help pay for his college tuition.
“You might say I flew through college,” he joked.
Cellecz, who has logged more than 24,000
flight hours, returns to Plainville each summer
to visit with the people who influenced
his life. “It’s an incredible feeling each time I
fly my plane into the very airport where I
learned to fly,” he said.
The dynamic unit is proud of its rich heritage
and continues to encourage success in
its cadets. “We have the best squadron in the
state in my opinion,” said squadron commander
Capt. Jose Trujillo.
“With a strong combination of dedicated
cadets and talented leaders, we are an
extremely active bunch,” he said. Currently,
the squadron focuses on aviation, marksmanship,
self-defense and rocketry. The
overall goal is to empower youth with
integrity and the tools to be successful.
“We strive to show them how many opportunities are
available in aviation and how they can become a part of
that industry,” he said.
Cadet Capt. Adam Trujillo said the squadron works
to ensure cadets are well-rounded. “We try to get every
cadet in the air within two months of joining to see if
they like it. We also provide a variety of field exercises
and leadership activities.”
“Stan Robertson’s passion for aviation, his ingenuity
and foresight to build an airport with his own hands has
left an important legacy to the people of the Plainville
area. Without the airport, our cadets would not have
had the opportunities to fly as they do now. It is of economic
and historic importance to this area,” said
Trujillo.
Today, Robertson Field is a fully operational airport
with a paved runway, lighting, indoor plumbing and
updated facilities. But the air resonates with the spirit of
the past — the legacy of sharing one’s time, talent and
energy with future generations.
As for Robertson, he continues to challenge youth to
find what they love, to always be innovative and to
never, ever stop having fun. ▲
Public Affairs Officer Capt. Robin Trujillo of the
Connecticut Wing assisted with this story.
Originally a modest grass airstrip with a 5-by-7-foot shack, Robertson Field in
Plainville, Conn., is now a fully operational airport that continues to encourage
and support the local CAP squadron.
Photo courtesy of balloonist Mike Bollea
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 46 May-June 2007