Flight to Florida in a Cessna Cardinal
Saturday, June 10, 2023
A few weeks ago my friend CJ invited me to copilot his Cessna Cardinal from Maine to Florida. His little brother was getting his wings in the Marine Corps and we were going to fly down for the ceremony. I was excited to hang out with CJ and his family and do some serious cross-country flying. Normally I fly for an hour or two at a time, but this trip would be 10+ hours each way.
We knew based on our preflight planning that the Cardinal would fly around four hours on full tanks. We would need to stop at least twice each way based on forecasted winds aloft. We planned to stop in Maryland and South Carolina on the way down, and North Carolina and Pennsylvania on the way back. We would be flying from Maine to Florida and back in three days!
Leg 1 - KPWM to KESN
On the trip down we flew over JFK and got to see a 747 fly directly underneath us. A bit later we heard ATC mention a flight of four Boeing 767s. As we'd guessed, they were KC-46 Pegasus aircraft flying in formation. It was a pretty cool sight.
We had breakfast at the [Sugar Buns Airport Cafe and Bakery](https://sugar-buns.com/) on the field at Easton Airport (KESN). Perhaps the coolest part of the stop was the Jeep-looking golf cart we borrowed to drive to the cafe. Check it out in the photo gallery below.
Leg 2 - KESN to KGRD
The fuel stop at Greenwood County Airport (KGRD) in South Carolina was pretty uneventful. We were only on the ground long enough to use the bathroom and get some snacks and fuel. We were back in the air in less than 30 minutes. They did have a yellow Stearman biplane in the pattern, so that was fun.
CJ's Cardinal is a joy to fly. It's super roomy and comfortable, and it has an autopilot for the roll axis. This meant that for the legs I flew, most of the work was simply making micro-adjustments to the elevator trim and changing the radio frequency as controllers handed us off from one sector to the next.
Leg 3 - KGRD to KPNS
I flew the second leg of the trip down, from Maryland to South Carolina. CJ flew us on to Pensacola International Airport (KPNS).
Hanging out with CJs family was a blast. They're super fun, kind, and generous. Great conversation about all sorts of flying, mostly helicopters. And plenty of laughs and great food.
Leg 4 - KPNS to KHKY
We flew back to Maine on Sunday. The first leg was from Pensacola, Florida to Hickory Regional Airport (KHKY) in North Carolina where we enjoyed breakfast at their little cafe. The food was delicious and the staff were super friendly. The coolest part of the little airport was their outdoor aviation museum. Zoom in on the map!
Leg 5 - KHKY to KABE
I flew the first and third legs on the way back. There were some storms along the way, which provided me the thrill of flying in actual instrument conditions, which I'd never done. It was so cool to punch into the clouds and suddently get tossed about, just to pop out the other side and see the sun shining. I was glad to have the autopilot for those legs, because it was a lot of work to keep the plane level and on course.
Our last stop of the trip at Lehigh Valley International Airport (KABE) in Pennsylvania was uneventful. No cafe or aviation museum, but a nice airport and much needed chance for CJ and I to stretch our legs and empty our bladders.
Leg 6 - KABE to KPWM
My trip ended at the Portland Jetport as the sun was very low in the west. CJ continued on to his home airport in Belfast, Maine.
Flying to Florida in a little plane was an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful to CJ for inviting me along. CJ is a super great guy and his family is awesome. Doing that trip made me want to get my instrument rating and plan some longer trips outside of the local area. The utility of a small plane is incredible. I can't wait to do more flying!