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Post by scubakobe on Jun 25, 2017 15:20:36 GMT -5
Hi all, Seems a bit quiet in the off topic section so I guess I'll add to it! I recently entered the world of aircraft ownership with a straight tailed 1956 Cessna 172. Purchased back home in the central coast of California, and a couple weekends ago I relocated it to my new home out in the Kansas City area. What a trip through the Southwest and into the Midwest! The 172 is mostly original with the exception of being repainted in the 70s and new radios. 145 HP O-300 engine. The final route was: San Luis Obispo, CA (KSBP) - Lake Havasu City, AZ (KHII) - Albuquerque, NM (KABQ) - Tucumcari, NM (KTCC) - Kingman, KS (9K8) - Baldwin City, KS (K64)A high pressure system produced clear skies from California to Kansas - imagine that. VFR conditions just about coast to coast! The trip went nearly perfectly, and I say nearly because the only problem was a broken push-to-talk switch. The PTT broke just outside of KABQ, so the last half of the trip was flown with no radio communication unfortunately - of course we could receive transmissions, so we were able to look for traffic. Our max altitude for the flight was 12,000 when a strong updraft pushed us up 500 feet from 11,500 (The 172 would not want to climb otherwise!). Otherwise, we cruised at 11.5 from California to New Mexico. The density altitude at 11,500 was approaching 14,000 feet according to enroute weather services, so it did take awhile to reach 11.5. Scenery near Sedona, Arizona at 11,500 feetMeteor crater in Winslow, AZOn the ramp of KABQFuel stop at Tucumcari, NM. We left KABQ with 1/2 tanks so a fuel stop was required much earlier.Clyde Cessna Field in Kingman, KSParked on the grass at Gardner, KS in front of the Vintage Aircraft Association CH16 hangarParked in front of the new hangar at Vinland Valley Aerodrome (K64)And of course, the best company in town (And aerospace!)
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Post by bhk on Jun 25, 2017 16:58:53 GMT -5
I recently entered the world of aircraft ownership with a straight tailed 1956 Cessna 172......... WOW, Kobe! Just WOW!!!That is fabulous...you are now the owner of an aircraft! Fantastic! And what a great trip for your debut flight in her. I cannot believe that it's the same youth who I came across in the Old Hangar so many years back. (Sigh).......we are all getting older. Good for you, mate. Make the most of it.
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Post by Tom Constantine on Jun 25, 2017 21:22:52 GMT -5
Beautiful aircraft! Fabulous pictures! Great video! Congratulations!!! You've done well.
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Post by sgtmajor on Jun 26, 2017 7:58:49 GMT -5
WOOHOO!!!! Way to go Kobe!!!!!! I agree with Bruce & Tom.......Beautiful aircraft and simply fantastic!!! Many......MANY Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures!!
Great Job Kobe!! Congratulations!!
Cheers!!
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Post by scubakobe on Jun 26, 2017 12:36:30 GMT -5
Thanks all! Yes, time has really flown hasn't it? I almost don't feel like the same person either now that I'm flying my own plane and done with college. She is pretty good looking! Needs some TLC, especially with the paint (don't zoom in ) but she otherwise flies great. I enjoy keeping in touch with you all, this forum is really where it all started - I'll probably post some more of our adventures on here as I put more hours on the bird. Kobbe
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Post by nige on Jun 26, 2017 15:40:54 GMT -5
Really great pictures and video. Reminds me of the times when I used to go flying with my friend in his Luscombe 8A Silvaire. Also of the brilliant holiday my wife and I had in the US a few years ago. Have not seen any of that from the air, but I have driven through Sedona, visited Meteor crater and driven through New Mexico. You are living the dream! Nice landings, by the way.
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Post by bhk on Jun 26, 2017 16:15:48 GMT -5
... I enjoy keeping in touch with you all, this forum is really where it all started - I'll probably post some more of our adventures on here as I put more hours on the bird. Please do......I for one will always be interested in how things are going for you, Kobbe. So when you have an opportunity to do so, please update us.
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Post by bhk on Jun 26, 2017 16:20:52 GMT -5
Just as an aside, but relating to the Cessna 172......I believe that this design has become the longest-running manufactured light aircraft and that there are more 172's throughout the world than any other light aircraft. Is that correct?
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Post by scubakobe on Jun 26, 2017 16:50:42 GMT -5
Really great pictures and video. Reminds me of the times when I used to go flying with my friend in his Luscombe 8A Silvaire. Also of the brilliant holiday my wife and I had in the US a few years ago. Have not seen any of that from the air, but I have driven through Sedona, visited Meteor crater and driven through New Mexico. You are living the dream! Nice landings, by the way. That's great you've had the opportunity to see it from the ground as well, it's spectacular scenery. A friend of mine flew nearly the same route in a Luscombe 8E, although it took him a number of circles before he could clear the terrain in the ABQ area Bruce, that's correct! From Wikipedia, it seems there have been more than 25,000 manufactured through the entire lineage. To put things in perspective, my aircraft is serial number 797 of those 25,000+. Flying into Kingman, KS I actually came across N6649A which was manufactured 48 172s earlier than mine on the same production line.
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Post by bhk on Jun 26, 2017 23:32:13 GMT -5
Bruce, that's correct! From Wikipedia, it seems there have been more than 25,000 manufactured through the entire lineage. To put things in perspective, my aircraft is serial number 797 of those 25,000+. Flying into Kingman, KS I actually came across N6649A which was manufactured 48 172s earlier than mine on the same production line. Thanks, Kobbe, for confirming what I thought. Man....25,000+ 172s!! That's quite amazing. I had a a bit of hands-on experience in a younger version back in 1967/68 (VH-TOQ.....written off on the ground in a severe storm in the 1970s) but it was a swept-tail, of course. You really do have a classic...and how great to see that such an old bird is still flying. Wonderful!...and all power to you for helping to preserve and use these oldies.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2017 16:26:33 GMT -5
Congratulations on becoming an aircraft owner Kobbe - nice feeling isn't it. Sweet video - glad to see you finally landed on a proper GRASS runway Roger
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Post by bhk on Jun 28, 2017 3:34:44 GMT -5
Roger....how's everything going, mate?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 5:10:26 GMT -5
Oh, comme-ci-comme-ca Bruce, thanks. Not much nice to report really, but I won't hijack Kobbe's thread and will post an update on my own one later.
Roger
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Post by bhk on Jun 28, 2017 5:27:35 GMT -5
OK, Rog. Let's know how you are keeping.
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Post by sgtmajor on Jun 28, 2017 7:58:40 GMT -5
OK, Rog. Let's know how you are keeping. Yes Roger......please do. Kobbe.....glad to see you have "niner seven alpha" back in Cessna country. (smile) Kingman......ah yes....been there a few times. Back in my high school days, we use to play them in football & basketball. (I only played football......basketball never interested me much. (smile)). As I recall.....if you go straight north of Kingman, you'll run into Lyons, KS......then straight West of Lyons is were I grew up in Ellinwood, KS. I sure miss the small towns sometimes.....great place to grow up!! I suspect Harvest is pretty much over by now......but Ellinwood will be having their "After Harvest Festival" in July. Interesting little town and folks come from miles around to the festival. www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5GjObdSXfIIf you ever go.....be sure to visit the tunnels. (smile) Cheers,
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