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Barnstorming from Cape Cod!
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On May 5, 2001 at 1:15 p.m. Kendle & Mike Hanson landed safely at Long Beach Airport after 35 hours of flying over a 9-day stretch. Greeted by a crowd of more than 60 family, friends and
guests, the Hanson’s, a husband & wife pilot team, were finally home after flying their newest open-cockpit biplane, a Waco, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, CA.
Upon landing they taxied the biplane to its new Long Beach home at MillionAir - Aeroplex. The crowd greeted the Hanson’s with cheers, hugs and smiles. They reminisced their travel experiences and fond memories with everyone. When asked about her favorite moments on the trip, Kendle said “First moment was when we
spotted the Statue of Liberty across the Hudson River, she’s such an unusual green color and so beautiful. Then flying over New Mexico was like flying into a beautiful painting that kept changing and becoming more picturesque. Plateau’s, pine trees and breathtaking valleys and rivers to enjoy. ”
Was it cold? You bet it was. Many mornings it was in the 30’s or 40’s, burrrrr! Then flying at 1200-2000 feet above ground, it’s a bit more chilly up there. But we were prepared for it with our wool socks, fleece pants, fleece shirts, winter flight suit or Kendle in her ski suit. Complete this layered look with a Patagonia jacket and down-jacket on top, along with a warm neck scarf and appropriate gloves and waa-laa you have 2 Pillsbury dough people. But we were nice and cozy warm and that cold didn’t touch us. Then we top it off with the standard leather cap with headset and goggles or sunglasses, and you would never guess who we were. Out over New Mexico it warmed up a lot and it was nice to dress lighter with less layers. Plus, out there we flew about 100 feet from the ground. We only disturbed a few cows, who stopped their chomping to look up and see what the noise was from up in the sky.
We had pretty good weather most of the time, just a couple scattered showers over Missouri, which we flew around. The most windy days was in Holbrook, AZ when we landed with the wind blowing directly down the runway (a good thing), but it was 35 mph, gusting to 50. Yeeowww! The real estate was really moving out there. Needless to say we didn’t fly on to Sedona as it would have a been a crosswind landing (not a good thing). So we stayed in Holbrook for the night (home of the Petrified Forest and Route 66). This was one of the friendliest airports and cities on our trip. They put the Waco in a hangar, and gave us the keys to their airport courtesy car and 72 Chevy….all for FREE! Now ain’t that nice?
We chose to enjoy the trip and see family & friends at a couple stops. We flew 1 leg of 3 hours many days and the others we flew 2 legs for a total time in the air of 5 ½ to 6 hours. Those were long days and we were really tired.
Our route of flight began in Cape Cod, Massachusetts departing from Marston Mills Airport from a grass runway. Right away we’re over Martha’s Vineyards, a wonderful little island. Then flying along the New York coastline for a couple hours and to the Hudson River. Circling the Brooklyn Bridge, and flying up the Hudson River viewing all the NY high-rise buildings including the Empire State building. The trees of Central Park were so visible amongst the hustle bustle of New York’s building. Next we’re circling the Statue of Liberty at 400 feet. Mike says, “We were eye-to-eye with the Lady, that’s what the tour operators flying there call her. It was great.”
Now we’ll stay on a southwest course all the way home. It will take us over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally California. (Hopefully I named all the states in the right order.) Truly, we are cutting a path across the ‘fabric of America’.
When we fly in the afternoon with the sun in our eyes, we know we’re headed in the right direction. We get to enjoy the scenery of this wonderful country. It is so diverse. The east coast with what looks like patchwork quilts farmlands and quaint communities, no backyard fences and green grass with a lot of trees. This same terrain went on from New Jersey to Oklahoma and Texas.
The Allegheny Mountains in PA were very interesting with their 4,000’ peaks and 4-5 mountain ranges pointed north to south. Then we found the ‘red dirt’ started in Oklahoma. Big cracks of it across farm lands.
We visited Kendle’s relatives in Sparta, Illinois for a Sunday afternoon and left the next morning. Great to spend time with Aunt Fern and cousins Cindy, Cheryl, Hannah, Ed, Jinelle, Zach, and Kenny. We visited Cindy & Ken’s quarter horse ranch. They had 11 horses when we were there and were expecting another colt to be born any day. What a great place, acres and acres complete with pond and log cabin home.
Cheryl, Ed and Hannah had us all over for a ‘grill out’, (in CA we call it a BBQ). They have the ‘home beautiful’ of Steelville, IL. It was great to spend the day with all of them. We hope to return soon to this small town and relax for longer than a day and enjoy more family time.
Then we hotel hopped until we visited our friends in Amarrillo, TX, Don and Sharon. They treated us to BBQ steaks and good company. These are fellow biplane owners, with a Stearman similar to ours. They let our Waco nestle in their hangar and make friends with other tail-draggers.
We departed Amarillo for New Mexico to cross a low part of the Rockies. It was so magical to pass the state line between Texas and New Mexico. The terrain changed so dramatically from flat farmland to plateau’s and valleys. It was enchanting (their license plates say “Land of Enchantment” and we agree).
Next stop was Holbrook, AZ with the wind blowing on a warm day, and the next morning it was sprinkling and 34 degrees. We’re headed for Sedona, AZ now to meet up with Mike, a Waco pilot for Red Rock Biplane Tours. Mike helped us locate and buy the Waco we’re flying home. They have a great operation there, but more than that the scenery is fabulous. Sedona, AZ is a must see place. Very beautiful and inspirational.
We fly on to see our friends Pat & Nancy in Parker, AZ. They live on the shores of Lake Havasu. Landing there felt like home, Kendle was even moved to tears to be in familiar territory again and see our good friends. This was our final night of our adventure. Tomorrow would be a 2-hour flight home to meet our family and friends.
This Biplane operation is ‘on time’, as we landed when expected in Long Beach. Greeted with hugs and welcome home wishes.
Kendle & Mike did a low approach fly by, then circled to land. It was good to be
home!!
Why did we buy this beautiful Classic Waco biplane? Well, it seats 2 passengers in the front side-by-side.
It's great way to continue sharing our love of biplane
flying with couples and families. So grab a friend and come fly with us!
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