A never to forget flight: the mesmerizing and mind-boggling cross country to Keri Keri, New Zealand

There’s something magical about flying, especially when you’re navigating the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. Recently, I embarked on an unforgettable solo cross country flight from Whanganui to Kerikeri, with a stopover in Hamilton and overflying the stunning city of Auckland. My trusty companion for this adventure? A Cessna 152, small yet perfect aircraft for exploring the stunning perspectives of Aotearoa.

The Journey Begins: Whanganui to Hamilton

After a vigorous planning for the longest and most fun flight of my life, I got signed out from my instructors and started walking towards my aircraft ZK-MDK and did the final preflight walk-around. The plane had around 3.5 hours of safe endurance which is more than enough to get me to Hamilton for a fuel-stop. As I took off from Whanganui Airport, the world below transformed into a patchwork of lush green fields and winding rivers. The early morning sun cast a golden view over the landscape and acting like a cherry on top, there was low level fog all around in patches making it a sight to behold. After about 20 minutes into the flight I was cruising at 7500 ft with the glorious Mt.Ruapehu on the right side. The flight was smooth, and before I knew it, I was approaching Hamilton. The city, known for its vibrant gardens and the mighty Waikato River, was a delightful waypoint on my journey. I was planning for the descent, I got cleared for a straight-in approach to runway 36R as I changed over to Hamilton Tower frequency. The runway being about 2.1 kms long was just enough for my cute little Cessna 152 to land so I did not have to worry about overshooting it! Luckily, there wasn't much traffic around that day and the weather was gorgeous with a few clouds and about 5 knots crosswind. I touched down and taxied towards the refueling station to fill up the tanks, grabbed a snickers bar from the vending machine and started preparing my aircraft for the main leg to the bay of islands, Keri-Keri, not to mention, Auckland on the way!

Auckland Awaits: Navigating the Urban Jungle

After a brief refuel in Hamilton, it was time to tackle the bustling airspace of Auckland. The flyover into Auckland was exhilarating. I was lucky enough to get into controlled airspace and the controller instructed me to maintain 4000 ft and head straight towards Manukau City. What more could I have asked for?! I could see the iconic Sky Tower piercing the skyline and the sprawling Waitemata Harbour shimmering below. Navigating through the air traffic was a thrilling challenge, but the views made every moment worthwhile. The contrast of the urban landscape against the natural beauty of the surrounding beaches and islands like Rangitoto was simply fascinating. Below me, I could see the sparkling waters of the Manukau Harbour, glimmering in the sunlight. The city was alive with activity, and the green parks and buildings created a beautiful patchwork. I felt like I was on top of the world, with the stunning scenery stretching out in every direction.

(flying over the skyscraping- Sky Tower!)

While flying, it was amazing to hear the big boys, like the Emirates A380, communicating with the control tower. Their voices were calm and professional, and I was in awe of their massive aircraft soaring through the sky. It was like being part of a special club, where everyone shared the same passion for flying. The rush of flying through such a busy airspace made the experience even more thrilling. I had to stay focused and follow the instructions from air traffic control, but the excitement kept me on my toes. Each moment was filled with joy as I flew over the vibrant city of Manukau. As I looked out at the beautiful landscape, I realized how lucky I was to experience this adventure. Flying over Auckland was not just a trip; it was a memory that I would cherish forever.

(You can see the gigantic runway as I flew past the Auckland International Airport, NZAA)

Kerikeri: A Slice of Paradise

Now, I can see the vibrant greens and blues stretching out below me. After passing Auckland, the scenery has transformed into a beautiful patchwork of fields and forests. I was also released by Whenuapai control tower for my on-wards journey to Kerikeri, once again I am all on my own in uncontrolled airspace. This stretch was quite long measuring up to 104 nautical miles, so it was all about admiring the beauty of the airspace and consistent navigation. It also started getting a bit turbulent as the winds picked up along the uneven hills beneath me. I was pretty much at about 3000 ft for nearly half of this stretch. I had to communicate with other pilots around the Whangarei region to ensure there was adequate separation between us as the airspace started getting busy.

Now, as I approached Kerikeri, the excitement builds. Out of my window, I was able to spot tiny figures soaring through the sky—paragliders! Each parachute flared out in bright colors, painting the sky with splashes of red, blue, and yellow. It was a breathtaking sight, and I can’t help but feel a sense of adventure just watching them float down. As I communicated with the pilots and ground crew, I was told that runway 02 was in use. Kerikeri is an unusually busy aerodrome due to parachute operations every now and then. That's the reason it's prohibited to perform a standard overhead join, a maneuver done by pilots in uncontrolled aerodrome to determine the runway in use, traffic and many other aspects of the aerodrome and to ensure the best possible way to join in the circuit pattern safely. Moreover, the aerodrome is also used by private operators and Air New Zealand.

After making three orbits and cooperating with a departing Citation, I was able to establish on a 5 mile final for runway 02. As I got to about 50ft over the runway, I could sense my aircraft just floating like cherry on top of a cake. It was maybe due to the thermals forming on the runway resulting in some convective activity as it was hot day (and just 2 knots wind) which led my little aircraft to just not wanting to land. I had to push my aircraft down resulting in bit of a flat landing but it all went well. I parked my aircraft, refueled, had some chit chatting with the ground crew, grabbed a coffee and started preparing for my return leg. Kerikeri is a charming town known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Finally, it was all worth it in the end after a 4 hour long flight! Unfortunately, I could not manage to get any photos of this leg so, my apologies!

Reflections on the Journey

As I landed in Kerikeri, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. This flight was not just about reaching a destination; it was about the journey itself—the thrill of flying, the beauty of the landscapes, and the joy of navigating through different airspaces. Each leg of the journey offered its own unique experiences, from the serene takeoff in Whanganui to the exhilarating flyover into Auckland and finally, the picturesque landing in Kerikeri!

On the return leg, I wasn't allowed to enter the Auckland's airspace as it got busier than before so I had to follow the transit lane and hop over the islands surrounding Auckland requiring a lot more precision, planning and situational awareness as there were helicopters and small planes all around carrying passengers to explore the beauty of Auckland from above. Communication is the key!

After passing through the busiest airspace I have ever been to, now it was time to plan for another stopover in Hamilton, dinner time for my aircraft! Everything went as expected so after my aircraft was done enjoying it's meal, now I was onto my final leg- back to home! I was starting to feel tired on this one but I had to be on my toes as the mighty Mount Ruapehu stands in the way! I had to be sure to dodge it haha. Finally after spending nearly whole day in the skies I could spot my home airport base- Whanganui! Performed one of my best landings on Runway 11 and taxied back to the hanger. That day I lodged a total of 8 hours and 5 mins of flight time on my logbook with four different legs! Thanks to my instructors especially Rob (if you are reading this) who motivated me on this unreal cross country and the flying school because of which I could pull out this amazing feat.

Conclusion: An Adventure to Remember

This cross country flight was a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and the adventures that await just beyond our doorstep. Whether you’re an experienced pilot or a curious traveler, I encourage you to take to the skies and discover the breathtaking views that New Zealand and the countries you are flying in have to offer. Who knows what hidden gems you might find along the way?

If you had such an experience in your aviation journey that you, my fellow pilot would like to share to us all, feel free to write in the comments!