Well, I haven't been around BC much in the past few weeks. Part of the reason was the 10 day vacation we took to Iowa, and part of it was because I spent 5 days trying to fly a Cessna 152 from Indianapolis to Phoenix.

The 5 days trying to get to Phoenix were pretty crazy. We had a radio failure (which mysteriously corrected itself when we returned to the airfield), dodged thunderstorms enroute to St. Louis., and then were ultimately forced to abandon the trip in Bartlesville, Oklahoma due to weather. Our groundspeed was generally 85-95 knots (95-110 mph) throughout the entire journey. Still, it was a great experience. I thought I would share a few pictures from the trip.


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Large thunderhead while enroute to Indianapolis on a Southwest 737-700

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Check out the car that took us from Indianapolis International to Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport to get the airplane!

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Leaving Indianapolis

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Small clouds across the sky just outside Indianapolis

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Clouds starting to build a bit... storms reported ahead

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Looking straight down from the right seat... yes, that'* one of our tires hanging out in the breeze

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Billy and I cruising along... two 6 foot guys in a 152 is pushing the limits of comfort on a cross-country flight

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Looking out the back of the plane... you can see more of the building clouds we had to dodge

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Staying to the north of the storms over Indiana/Illinois... heading for Spirit of St. Louis airport

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Finally clear of the thunderstorms... Illinois farmland just to the east of St. Louis

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Part of the St. Louis metro area

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Yours truly!

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The sun slanting through some clouds on a beautiful Missouri evening

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West out of Springfield, Missouri into Kansas/Oklahoma

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View of Bartlesville, Oklahoma from a Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper while we were socked in for a day and a half

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We eventually surrendered to the bad weather and flew back to Phoenix from Tulsa, Oklahoma on Southwest

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Nothing like hooking up the Garmin 295 while you're on an airliner! Ground speed was 436 knots (500 mph) at an altitude of 36,000 feet


While we weren't able to complete our mission and get the plane to Phoenix, we had a great time seeing some of the USA from 4,500 feet in our little Cessna. I'm flying to Rhode Island with another buddy on Monday to bring another plane back to Phoenix, and hopefully we'll make it this time! I'll definitely take some pictures no matter what happens.

my grandpa used to have a cesna, but he died before I ever met em. I always wanted to try flying a plane.

When were you in Bartlesville? its about an hour east of me, and I have been on vacation all week, coulda had a mini meet All I have to show off though is a well used 1990 LE

Nice pics though!

Umm..errr...Uhhh..Ok, so who drew the short straw and has to fly the 152 back from Tulsa?

Wow... Ponca City was actually our intended destination that day, but clouds forced us down in Bartlesville. There'* a nice Phillips-Conoco Embraer corporate jet that is stored in Ponca City and hops to Bartlesville and Houston every day.... we had an interesting experience with that jet when we were coming in to land. But anyway... had I known you were there and had access to a computer, I would've given you a call!

We haven't decided yet, lol. I might go back to get it later this month.

You got your instructor endorsement to solo x-country yet? The 152 is realistically a single seat aircraft with US sized male pilots. You'll have more fun flying that little bug smasher solo

Try it sometime Hans, it is very relaxing. Most FBO'* have some sort of intro flight where you get to fly the plane with an instructor, just to see if it'* your speed.

If you decide to give it a wirl, I would recommend setting a time just after dawn, or just before dusk. Those are usually the calmest parts of the day (for a nice smooth ride).

pics looked awesome and the trip looked very cool.

Yes, I have a solo x-country endorsement.... I'm instrument rated and ready to take my commercial multi-engine checkride when I get back from the trip from Rhode Island :P

And you stated that quite well... with "US sized male pilots" the 152 is definitely suited better to one person, lol. Our upcoming trip will start with two of us in a 152 in Rhode Island, and I just found out we'll be retrieving the airplane from Bartlesville on the way. So we'll be dual pilot all the way to Oklahoma, then we'll each have a plane for the remainder of the flight to Phoenix.

Ooops, Sorry, No offense Intended..I couldn't remember if you were working on your Private ticket. I guess I fell behind.