Candlelight Farms Airport (11N) in New Milford, Connecticut, is now under new ownership.
Brothers Dave and Jon Szigeti, along with their lifelong friend, Joe Fioccola, became the owners of the airport in November 2020. Both Dave and Jon are retired FedEx pilots with extensive general aviation backgrounds. They have been associated with Candlelight since the late 1990s.
When the previous owner put the airport up for sale, there was concern that the property could be developed. The brothers said they wanted to preserve this special place for future aviators.
Created in 1953, 11N is located just 75 miles north of New York City, situated at the north end of Candlewood Lake.
The social center of the airport is a large group hangar at the south end of the airfield, which is home to six vintage aircraft: A beautiful L-4 Cub, two 1950s C-180s, a 1967 C-182, a Super Cub on amphibious floats, and an Oshkosh award-winning 1969 E-33-C aerobatic Bonanza, according to airport officials.
The C-180 that Dave owns was originally his father’s. His father, an Eastern pilot hired in the 1940s, sold it in the 1960s. In the mid 1990s the owner fell ill, and the plane sat unused and in disrepair at 11N for nearly a decade. Dave convinced the owner to sell the 180, which he and his co-owner spent two years restoring. The 180 now sits front and center in the hangar.
Along with the new owners, the hangar group — known as “the six pack” — has done extensive work refurbishing the dirt driveway, runway, and hangar.
“Candlelight is a wonderful place to unwind after a ‘hard’ day of flying or just to have a picnic next to your airplane,” says Bob Sabbatino, a retired Delta captain and a 20-year Candlelight veteran. “Candlelight Farms is a magical, scenic, relaxing place, owned by friendly aviation enthusiasts.”
He does advise pilots to be sure to check NOTAMS as the field can be closed from time to time due to soft conditions caused by heavy rains and snow.
Great to see it continue. I spent many years there as a member, instructor, and a tour as cub VP and operations director. I have owned three sailpanes over the years, a Pilatus B4 based at the old Waterbury gliderport on the hill, an ASW 19 based at Candlelight, and a Pegasus based at Wurtsboro, NY. In the process I managed two Soaring Association Region 1 contests at Springfield, Vermont, several seasons of Mt Washington wave camps at Gorham, NH, and somewhere along the way set the Vermont Standard and 15 Meter sailplane altitude and altitude gain records. Twenty-seven thousand feet on the altimeter. Using a mechanical barograph state of the art in the 1990’s the SSA gave me credit for 26,650. High enough. Former USAF. Retried Pan Am and United.
BRAVO! Congratulations, Dave, John & Joe!
Great news! And congratulations gentlemen.
I soloed/learned how to fly there at Candelight Farms in the summer of 1979 and cherish fond memories of flying the old Champ in and out. The runway and parking arrangements were different then they are now. It is a beautiful field and wonderful that it’s heritage will remain intact for others to enjoy as well.
I look forward to visiting soon in my F33A Bonanza.
Rick Hock
United 787 Captain, Shenandoah Valley Virginia.
As a pilot based at nearby DXR, I have often visited Candlelight. Having suffered the loss of Trinca field, I’m happy to hear that it’s not going to developers.
It’s a magical thing when you can find more than 2 pilots to get along well enough to share a special field like this. So happy there are still a few such places left. Well done!
What are the specks on airfield?
Where can I read on this airfield?
Absolutely correct. I wouldn’t trade my E Hanover NJ grass airport training and first solo for paved runways.
It’s a very special experience, and teaches unique lessons.
Hey Bill I used to hang around, fuel and wash planes, had my first flight in a 37 Waco biplane in 1948 and crashed during a ride in 1951 in a PT 26 all at East Hanover. Took my first flying lessons in one of Abe Stepples 65 Champs and soloed at Morristown with 10 hrs. I have always felt at home in a tail dragger on any grass field I have had the fun to fly into or out of.
This is where I did my first grass field landing and takeoff in a 150 I rented from Arrow Aviation just a few miles away at KDXR. Beautiful place!
Great idea, brings back many wonderful memories of the very small grass field in Pa. where I learned to fly in the early sixties. Most new students learning to fly today will never get the chance to experience such warm fellowship! Too bad I think.