Sometimes the best destinations aren’t just about where you land, they’re about what you discover once the prop stops spinning.

On this flight, I took the Vashon Ranger R7 from Casa Grande (KCGZ) to Kingman Airport (KIGM) for an adventure that combines real world Light Sport flying with a glimpse into one of Arizona’s most fascinating aviation relics, the Kingman Boneyard.

Preflight and a Minor Hiccup

The morning started with a small surprise, an unexpected issue with a flat tire on the plane that needed a quick fix before departure. Luckily, I was able to find someone in the hangar done the way that loaned me an air tank. With air in hand , I was able to fix it, and before long the Ranger was fired up and ready to roll.

Climbing Out of Casa Grande

After departing Runway 5 at Casa Grande, I climbed out toward the west, settling in with flight following from Phoenix Approach. Along the route, I passed over Buckeye Airport and got a great aerial view of the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, which always makes for an impressive waypoint from above.

Casa Grande, Airport (KCGZ) from the air

Tech Corner: SkyView Sectional Map Tips

For those flying with Dynon SkyView HDX, I shared a quick tutorial mid-flight on how to display Seattle Avionics sectional map layers right on your screen. It’s a small but powerful tool that adds great situational awareness—perfect for anyone flying cross-country in the Southwest.

Descent Into Kingman

As I approached Kingman, the descent offered wide open desert vistas framed by rugged terrain. But the calm didn’t last long, once I entered the pattern, things got a little interesting. Let’s just say there was a bit of “pattern drama,” the kind that makes flying into non-towered airports both challenging and fun. A quick look at FlightRadar24 helped me tell the story of what was happening, watch the full video below to see what happened.

Touchdown and The Boneyard

After a smooth landing and taxi, I headed to the Kingman Airport Cafe restaurant for some food before checking out what makes Kingman Airport so unique: the infamous BONEYARD. Rows upon rows of retired aircraft sit in the desert sun, some awaiting parts reclamation, others standing as ghostly reminders of aviation’s golden past. For any aviation enthusiast, it’s an unforgettable sight. There’s a mix of history, engineering, and imagination all parked in the middle of the Arizona desert.

The boneyard where rows of planes are sitting

Final Thoughts

This flight perfectly captured what Runways & Roam is all about, real world flying, aviation discovery, and adventure with a Light Sport twist. Whether you’re a pilot, an aviation photographer, or just someone who loves the smell of Jet-A and desert air, Kingman deserves a spot on your aviation bucket list.

Flying to Kingman Airport Cafe and Exploring the Boneyard