After an unforgettable brunch at the Mesa Grill in Sedona, it was time to take to the skies once again.

This blog picks up on the return leg of our adventure as Tandy and I depart Sedona Airport, one of the most breathtaking places to fly in Arizona, and head back home to Casa Grande.

Sedona is often called the most stunning airport in the state, and it is easy to see why. Perched on a mesa with dramatic red rock cliffs and endless horizons, every takeoff feels cinematic. Rolling out onto the runway with crimson rock formations rising around us, the sense of awe is impossible to ignore.

This leg of the flight was all about the scenery, the energy, and the feeling you get when the wheels leave the runway and the landscape opens up beneath you.

The Flight

Departure From the Red Rocks

We lifted off from Sedona with warm afternoon light washing across the terrain. The red rocks glowed as we climbed and turned southbound, giving us sweeping views of one of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest. This stretch is one of those routes where you cannot help but look out the window a little longer, take a deeper breath, and remember why flying is so special.

Cruising South Toward Home

As we left Sedona behind, the terrain transitioned into sprawling high desert. Smooth air, glowing late day colors, and the gentle hum of the Vashon Ranger R7 set the tone for a relaxed cruise. We passed familiar landmarks and enjoyed that peaceful mid flight rhythm where time feels slower and the world below stretches forever.

Approach to Phoenix Area Airspace

As we re-entered Phoenix area airspace, the pace picked up. Traffic, radio calls, and airspace transitions create a real world flying environment that keeps you sharp and engaged. From Mesa Gateway to Falcon Field, the skies stayed active, adding energy and excitement to the flight.

Final Approach and Landing in Casa Grande

By the time we began descending into Casa Grande, the air had turned a bit lively with bumps on the way down, adding one more layer to the adventure. We joined the pattern, called our positions, and smoothly brought the Ranger back to the runway at KCGZ.

Another journey complete, another memory logged, and another reminder of why we love this world so much.

Watch the Flights

Missed part one of this adventure? Catch the Sedona arrival and Mesa Grill review here:
https://youtu.be/pyFNEzkLw4E

Enjoy this full flight on YouTube and ride along in the cockpit as we head home from Arizona’s most stunning airfield. Click the watch on YouTube to comment , like and subscribe to help us soar higher in the algorithm!

Departing the #1 Most Beautiful Airport in Arizona