For Christmas this year Paul and his son Marcus took a memorable trip to Tucson—one that turned into a truly special father-son aviation adventure. The highlight of the journey was checking off a long-time bucket-list item for Paul: landing at Sedona Airport, one of the most scenic airports in the country.

For the flight, we rented a clean & beautiful modified 1976 Cessna 172 (180 HP) from Windwalker Aviation at Ryan Airfield in Tucson, Arizona. We were fortunate to fly with local CFI Alan Hobson, whose knowledge of the area and calm professionalism made the trip seamless and enjoyable. With a winter takeoff at 9:15 AM, temperatures of 48°F at Ryan and 34°F at Sedona, we calculated density altitudes to ensure safe performance—approximately 3,100 ft at Ryan and 4,600 ft at Sedona—well within the Cessna 172’s capabilities for the winter conditions.

We filed IFR for both legs of the journey, transitioning through multiple airspaces along the way. Our clearance took us from Ryan Tower (Class D) to El Paso Center, then to Phoenix Inbound ATC, and finally Phoenix Outbound ATC. The route was Ryan direct to Stanfield VOR, then on to Phoenix—flying V327 to Stanfield and V105 to Phoenix. Total flight time was approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes each way.

After a smooth arrival in Sedona, we enjoyed lunch at the airport’s excellent Mesa Grill Sedona Restaurant while the ground crew refueled the aircraft. With panoramic red-rock views and great food, it was the perfect mid-flight break before heading back to Ryan Airfield with a 1:30 PM afternoon departure.

If landing at Sedona is on your aviation bucket list, we highly recommend Windwalker Aviation in Tucson and flying with Alan Hobson. Feel free to reach out—Paul is happy to provide Alan’s contact information.

During the trip, Paul was also fortunate to visit the famous United States aircraft boneyards at the Davis-Monthon Air Force Base from a public viewing location at 6548 E Escalante Rd, Tucson, AZ. The boneyards are home to thousands of acres of retired military planes, including P-3 Orions, S-41 Starlifters, and a variety of other historic aircraft. While tours of the boneyards are no longer offered, the public viewing picnic area allows visitors to safely admire the planes from a distance, enjoying a unique aviation experience surrounded by the iconic aircraft.

After visiting the boneyards, Paul had the chance to explore the nearby Pima Air & Space Museum, which was both fantastic and a little overwhelming. We spent a full day wandering the vast collection and still only managed to see about 3/4 of what’s on display, missing Hangar 5 entirely. For visitors looking to take it all in, a two-day pass is available—and there’s definitely enough present to fill both days. The museum features countless historic aircraft, from rare military planes to iconic commercial models, though only a few are pictured here. It was an incredible experience that any aviation enthusiast would relish.

On the grounds of Pima Air & Space is a separate museum included with admission: the 390th Memorial Museum. This museum honors the legacy of the 390th Bomb Group and features the last B-17 Flying Fortress ever flown by any branch of the U.S. military, along with historic vehicles and exhibits from the unit.

Waiting on Winning: The POW Experience — 731 of men in the 390^th Bomb Group were captured and interned during WWII. This exhibit highlights life in the camps, equal parts boredom and fear.

Operation Chowhound — Towards the end of the war, the people of the Netherlands were starving. Learn about the mission where the 390^th, along with nine other bomb groups, dropped over 4,181 tons of food to cheering citizens on the ground.

To fully appreciate Pima Air & Space’s massive outdoor collection, we signed up for a $10 tour ride on an electric cart, which provided an easy and scenic way to see the hundreds of aircraft stored across the desert grounds. The arid desert climate makes for an ideal environment to preserve these historic planes, allowing visitors to get up close to everything from classic fighters to enormous bombers. The guided tour offers both context and history, making it a perfect complement to exploring the indoor museum exhibits.

For any aviation enthusiast, Tucson is a must-visit destination. Between scenic flights to Sedona, the remarkable aircraft boneyards, and the vast collection at Pima Air & Space Museum there’s truly something for every level of aviation passion. Whether you’re a pilot, a history buff, or simply someone who loves airplanes, Tucson offers experiences that are both thrilling and memorable. We can’t recommend it highly enough—pack your camera, bring your curiosity, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure. If you would like any details or tips on visiting Tucson, feel free to reach out to Paul—he would be happy to share his firsthand advice.

Happy Flying! – Empire Aviation

We’re thrilled to celebrate Ethan Manning on earning his Private Pilot License (PPL) in our Piper Cherokee N8432C!

Ethan first soloed back in July of this year, and in no time, he’s now officially a licensed pilot. His dedication, focus, and love for flying have truly paid off.

We couldn’t be prouder to see Ethan take to the skies as a fully certified pilot. If you haven’t flown in the Piper Cherokee yet, watching Ethan’s journey is the perfect inspiration to get started!

Here’s to many safe and exciting flights ahead, Ethan!

✈️ Did you know Empire Aviation has had a second base of operations at KCXE Airport in Chase City, Virginia for years now?

Here’s what’s happening:

If you haven’t flown with Paul to KCXE yet, you’ll need to this spring!

Additionally – Have a read below of the recent Mecklenburg County Cooperative News Newsletter, highlighting a recent visit from 100 US Marines!

Earlier this summer On Sunday, June 28, Paul’s beagle Bodhi had the pleasure of riding along in our Cherokee PA28-140. And yes Bohdi had some bacon!

Along for the ride was Empire’s student Brandon Loflin and friend Kathy Webb.

Paul & his son Marcus had the pleasure of also attending the PACE breakfast fly-in for Father’s Day 2024, and we made a YouTube video of it we’d love for you to check out:

After 25 incredible years, we wish to honor and thank Rick Gutlon, has been the longtime website administrator and designer for Empire-Aviation.com.

Rick first launched the site back in 2001 using an advanced early WordPress theme—ahead of its time—and has been the heart and hands behind it ever since. From posting detailed flight school updates to keeping every page running smoothly, Rick’s work has been a cornerstone of Empire Aviation’s online presence for more than two decades.

Rick wasn’t just a web admin—he was, and is, part of the Empire family. A licensed pilot himself, Rick earned his wings under the guidance of Empire Aviation’s founder, Paul. His love of aviation is matched only by his deep love of dogs. In fact, it was his passion for animal rescue that inspired him to fly—so he could serve as a volunteer pilot for Pilots N Paws, flying dogs to safety and helping them find forever homes.

Over the years, Rick authored over 240 blog posts, maintained the site with care and consistency, and ran it for many years on his own home server—always behind the scenes, never seeking credit, but making sure everything was just right. His work gave our flight school a trusted voice online, and his commitment to detail and quality has left a lasting mark on our community.

Rick, we thank you sincerely for your dedication, your loyalty, and your love for both aviation and animals. You will always be welcome to continue posting and helping with the site – your legacy will continue to fly high with us.

With deep gratitude,
The Empire Aviation Team