Ferry Flight Log: KGTU to KLRU – An Unexpected Stop

Arrival Notes

The plan was straightforward: depart Georgetown, Texas (KGTU) in my 1976 Cessna 150M, ferrying the airplane westbound on the first leg of its journey home to Livermore, California (KLVK). With density altitude concerns in mind and a cap of ~2.5 hours per leg, I had planned carefully to make Las Cruces International (KLRU) my overnight stop.

The flight from Georgetown started smoothly. The 150 climbed out as expected and settled into cruise nicely. Crossing west Texas, I kept an eye on building weather ahead, but conditions held long enough to make it safely into New Mexico.

Airport Overview – KLRU

Las Cruces International sits at 4,457 feet elevation with views of the Organ Mountains to the east. The airport features three runways: 12/30 and 8/26 are active, while 4/22 is currently closed. For a small piston aircraft like the 150, the available runway lengths are more than adequate, but density altitude can become a major factor in warmer conditions.

The field is well-supported by local operators, with Frost Aviation providing FBO services and Mesilla Valley Aircraft handling maintenance.

The Unplanned Twist

Not long before arriving at Las Cruces, the airplane’s starter system failed. While it wasn’t a catastrophic issue in flight, it meant the airplane wasn’t going anywhere once it was shut down. Combine that with worsening weather pushing in from the west, and the decision to stop at KLRU became straightforward.

This is where the local aviation community made all the difference. Frost Aviation welcomed me in, provided excellent hospitality, and even set me up with a crew car to get around town. On the maintenance side, Mesilla Valley Aircraft jumped on the issue right away. Their team provided fast, professional service to diagnose and repair the starter system.

Resolution

In addition to getting the 150 back in working order, Mesilla Valley Aircraft went above and beyond by arranging for a qualified ferry pilot to complete the remainder of the trip west. While I would have preferred to see the journey through myself, having the airplane safely delivered the rest of the way gave me peace of mind and ensured it reached home without further delays.

Personal Notes

Aviation has a way of reminding us that even the best-laid plans can change in an instant. Mechanical issues and weather delays are part of the reality of flying cross-country, especially in older aircraft. What mattered most was making the safe call, leaning on the support network of people at KLRU, and trusting the experts to get the airplane back in the air.

This stop at Las Cruces wasn’t in the original plan, but it underscored the value of community in aviation. Between Frost Aviation’s hospitality and Mesilla Valley Aircraft’s excellent service, an unexpected challenge turned into a smooth resolution.

Check out my Youtube channel for some videos filmed along the way!