Flew w Nate. Tom wanted to check his fuel pump. George & Henry flew to get Henry's spare pump from Henry's RV in Elk River. After landing there, on pre-flight, Henry discovered that his current fuel pump was weeping. Henry stayed at ER (new pump will arrive by UPS by tomorrow). George flew the spare pump to Tom who installed it and no difference (so Tom's Pierburg pump was good all along). I wanted to fly around Flathead lake more and Nate wanted to go too. I didn't have an extra helmet with me, so Nate wore his Lynx helmet and we communicated by writing on kneeboard. Flew up to Kalispell (S27), watched sunrise. Air much more active than yesterday. Full stop at Kalispell. Next to Glacier International (KGPI). Tower appeared to be still not open yet. but just as I was on short final, a Lear jet pulled out on the Rwy in front of me without me hearing anything on radio, didn't acknowledge my call. Oh shit, am I on wrong freq, and maybe tower IS open?!! Checked sectional, checked other sources- freq correct. Too late now anyway, I already violated airspace. Did 4 touch & goes hopping down the Rwy. As we left the airspace others were on this freq, so Lear was NORDO / wrong Freq. Headed for Whitefish (58S) FS on grass, turbulent, 25 mph cross a hundred feet off departure, difficult landing- back taxied to benefit from more than full length of this short strip for t/o. Unable to go to Glacier, lenticulars in sky, high winds. Wrote to Nate: "Let's make like a shepherd and get the flock outta here. We headed South for Polson intending to land and tie down, but the winds calmed, and there was a wind line on the lake w/ glass to the South. Decided to head 30miles south to St Ignatus (52S). Nate steered by wire the whole way. Did 3 tight t/g & 1 FS, helicopter crew came to talk to us and ask if we had radios. "No Notam" activity this week. SUV pulled out to mid field past hold-short line I had to divert from landing. ? wanted to photo? We left area back for the Flathead dame and Polson (8S1) 1 t/g 1 FS which was slightly breezy. George landed soon after with the fuel pump by Astra speedy delivery.
Comments
Flew w Nate. Tom wanted to check his fuel pump. George & Henry flew to get Henry's spare pump from Henry's RV in Elk River. After landing there, on pre-flight, Henry discovered that his current fuel pump was weeping. Henry stayed at ER (new pump will arrive by UPS by tomorrow). George flew the spare pump to Tom who installed it and no difference (so Tom's Pierburg pump was good all along). I wanted to fly around Flathead lake more and Nate wanted to go too. I didn't have an extra helmet with me, so Nate wore his Lynx helmet and we communicated by writing on kneeboard. Flew up to Kalispell (S27), watched sunrise. Air much more active than yesterday. Full stop at Kalispell. Next to Glacier International (KGPI). Tower appeared to be still not open yet. but just as I was on short final, a Lear jet pulled out on the Rwy in front of me without me hearing anything on radio, didn't acknowledge my call. Oh shit, am I on wrong freq, and maybe tower IS open?!! Checked sectional, checked other sources- freq correct. Too late now anyway, I already violated airspace. Did 4 touch & goes hopping down the Rwy. As we left the airspace others were on this freq, so Lear was NORDO / wrong Freq. Headed for Whitefish (58S) FS on grass, turbulent, 25 mph cross a hundred feet off departure, difficult landing- back taxied to benefit from more than full length of this short strip for t/o. Unable to go to Glacier, lenticulars in sky, high winds. Wrote to Nate: "Let's make like a shepherd and get the flock outta here. We headed South for Polson intending to land and tie down, but the winds calmed, and there was a wind line on the lake w/ glass to the South. Decided to head 30miles south to St Ignatus (52S). Nate steered by wire the whole way. Did 3 tight t/g & 1 FS, helicopter crew came to talk to us and ask if we had radios. "No Notam" activity this week. SUV pulled out to mid field past hold-short line I had to divert from landing. ? wanted to photo? We left area back for the Flathead dame and Polson (8S1) 1 t/g 1 FS which was slightly breezy. George landed soon after with the fuel pump by Astra speedy delivery.