Day 2 - Monday 9/10/01 - RAP->LGU->TRK

The day started out great, nice sunny weather and an early departure, flying
SW (about 12 NM) to get a close up of Mt. Rushmore.  The FBO (Jetstream
Aviation, I think) provided us with detailed information about the
restrictions for our fly-by, including the requirement that we talk to
Ellsworth AFB controllers - a very anal guy who kept asking us where we were
and telling us where we should be.  Consequently, the four presidents appear
to be very small in my 10X zoomed pictures - we would lie next time, but I
think Ellsworth's flight detection equipment is probably better these days.

As this leg progressed with each of us complimenting the other on how pretty
our Lancairs looked, we had to make a fuel stop decision because my 320 (43
gals) won't get me as far as Arnie's 360 (52 gals) - especially with me
leading at full power into a headwind.  Arnie didn't want to stop at Ogden
and there are few airports between OGD and TRK, so we chose Logan, UT (LGU)
and aimed our lawn darts there.  The ASOS reported winds favored runway 35
and, once again Arnie had the honors.  Leading us in, Arnie had to abort
because of the large X painted over the numbers - So, I turned a three-five
base leg into a straight in for 28.  Once again, I landed first and was able
to warn Arnie about the washboard (ask Granny what those looked like) that I
was rolling out on.  Arnie later said I sounded like I was talking from a
helicopter.  Anyway, all the stuff in the glove box got lined up because of
the shaking.  The worst part was that we would have to take off from this
runway fully loaded with fuel and we did, several times as I remember.  Don't
land there unless you can use the newly paved runway 35-17.

Lesson #6 - Find out about the airports you are going to stop at for
re-fueling.  Use phone calls, NOTAMS, FSS, Unicom, rumors, etc.  Personally,
I like airports named "regional" or "international", even better if they've
got a tower.  You had to be there.

Now enroute to Truckee, a little over 2 hours to go, a little more
mountainous, everything is going nicely when Arnie said, "Hey, my vacuum pump
is dead!"  "No problem" I respond, after all we are in beautiful VMC - who
needs that stinking AI or DG.  Hmmm.  The pump was probably beaten to death
by the take off from Logan.

Arnie wants to see what "swells" live like so he takes the lead to fly up
Lake Tahoe, then up over the ridge line at the north end of the lake and down
low into the valley where the town of Truckee is located.  This is fun,
trying to follow a snaking hi-speed Lancair between chimneys and pine trees.

We are now approaching the airport, AWOS suggesting runway 10 and Arnie is in
the lead on a semi-left-downwind for 10 when he crosses the numbers and
starts a downwind for 1 (I know, it's a little confusing) and he catches on,
when I announce my position, that his DG is pointing in random directions.  
So, again I land first as Arnie re-positions himself.  You will see later
that, on the way home, I get to officially land first.

Lesson #7 - Cross check, cross check, cross check and, occasionally use your
GPS for situational awareness and combine this with what you see outside the
window.  If absolutely necessary, refer to that 12th century instrumentation,
your FAA required compass.

On the ground, we check around to find a mechanic so we can get the vacuum
pump fixed.  Even though it's Monday, there were no mechanics available.  

Lesson #8 - Out West, mechanics frequently work on the weekends when flying
traffic is greatest and take Monday and Tuesday off.  Keep this in mind!

We were lucky to find a charter company with the chief pilot/mechanic on
stand-by at their operations hangar.  After much discussion, a little
thinking, borrowed tools and the willingness of our mentor, we had a new pump
and filter scheduled to be over-night shipped to us.  In the meantime, we
pulled the old pump (sheared shaft), the regulator filter and the intake
filter to confirm that there was no trash in the instruments.  We would
return on Tuesday to finish up.

Lesson #9 - If it's broke, fix it ASAP - You'll never know when you'll need
it next.

Lesson #10 - Be prepared to snivel, whine, beg, grovel, appear insane, drool,
etc. in order to accomplish the ends of Lesson #9.  You had to be there.

What a day, another 5 lessons learned.  We get our car, drive into Reno, eat
a good dinner after cocktails, have some post-dinner drinks, have some
pre-bedtime drinks and drop off for the night.

To be continued.

Grayhawk