Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (N1271U) Hayward to Van Nuys

With the addition of a bunch of California general aviation airports in 3D, I took it slow today and got some cross-country time in a bug smasher from the Bay to LA.

Server: Solo
Operator: Private
Aircraft: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
Origin: Hayward Executive Airport, Hayward, California (HWD)
Destination: Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California (VNY)
Callsign: N1271U
Route: KHWD-KVNY
Seat: N/A
Time En Route: 2 Hours 22 Minutes

Pushing back from the east tie-downs at Hayward Executive

Feeling the airframe twist a bit from the torque as 180 horsepower worth of Lycoming IO-360-L2A starts up. The 172 started life in 1956 with 145 hp as little more than a tri-gear Cessna 170B, with a straight tail, no rear window, and no autopilot. Today’s Skyhawk is a vastly different bird, with 35 more horsepower, a wraparound rear window, and a whole lot more in the avionics department. All of this comes at a steep price increase, however, with Cessna’s entry-level model commanding half-again new as much as a fully-loaded Cessna 210 Centurion does on the used market.

“Cessna One Two Seven One Uniform holding short Runway Two Eight Left for a right downwind departure”


Taking off and passing by OAK in the distance

Pretty sure I’m near Taft here. Definitely over Kern County, though.

Hey, look, it’s Six Flags!

Landing in Van Nuys, where most of the business jet traffic in LA is

VNY is one of the few places left where you can hold short of a runway while a 727 departs, with the resident Tri-Saurus being VP-BAP

Parked after slightly over two and a half hours airborne

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Loved the photos! Would love to see more from ya, cheers!

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Awesome! The C172 is underrated

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Making ‘Valley’ runs in the 172 is a lot of fun. The run up to Santa Barbara or Monterrey from Van Nuys is also a good time!
Nice Pics!

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Don’t forget San Luis Obispo!

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