HONOLULU (KSEE/KGPE) – From Merced to Honolulu, Tom Lopes flew a Cessna 172 well beyond the average range of 700 miles – and found a warm Hawaiian welcome party when he landed at the other end.
The total distance from Merced, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, is approximately 2,400 miles. On August 6, Lopes flew the modified Cessna 172 to Honolulu so the plane could be used at George’s Aviation Services. The plane is now used for private charter tours, flight school instruction and aircraft rentals.
How could this pilot fly a Cessna alone from Merced to Honolulu?
According to Tom Lopes, flying the four-seat Cessna over the plane instead of shipping it meant that it landed in Honolulu “exactly as it had left the factory.”
In Honolulu, the George’s Aviation Services team was aware of how dangerous the flight was because they knew there were no emergency landings at sea.
To celebrate Lopes’ successful flight – and their new plane – the crew prepared a celebration and a welcoming party for Lopes. After landing, Lopes received a traditional Hawaiian lei, as well as the plane, and a lūʻau.
“Welcome to Hawaii, Tom,” said George. “It was a beautiful flight.”
Data from FlightAware.com shows that after its 17-hour flight from Merced to Honolulu, the aircraft is now flying significantly shorter routes of no more than three hours in the air, taking off and landing at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
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