MikeAdmin“Whatever the cook says is best”
22 April 2018
Route of flight: FSO-RUT-FSO
The day started with a simple text message from Scott – ‘do you always go to church before you going flying?’ After 5 years of talking about talking the RV10 “out for lunch” it was finally going to happen. Scott and I were co-workers and as we all know the strongest bonds are normally made under the worst circumstances, needless to say we are friends for life and both recovering nicely thank you:-).
Despite a significant snowboarding injury Scott was able to hobble at the airport and make it through the gate arriving precisely on time for our 11am flight. After a few minutes or so fiddling with the airplane we pulled her out past the sky diving crowd and started up for the short taxi down to the fuel pumps. Scott quickly got settled in while I added a few gallons of go juice. We buttoned her up and after a quick review of the “do’s, don’t and boy I hope that doesn’t happen” we put the hammer down and the RV10 blasted off for our “guy’s adventure day” heading down to Rutland for lunch.
With an all-day kitchen pass we took the scenic Lake Champlain route with Scott pointing out all the best boating locations. He also demonstrated some amazing flying skills for his first time flying (or was it?). A few touch and go landings at Ticonderoga NY and a fly-by of the Fort ensured we demonstrated our appreciation for the area’s historic past. Despite taking the long route and pulling the throttle back we arrived in a way too quick 40 minutes in Rutland.
After a drama less touch down on runway 1 we taxied in to a very attentive “line guy” from the local FBO who offered fuel services, large chocks only and lunch recommendations. Leaving the Mighty -10 on the line to fend for herself we bounded up the stairs to the world famous Hanger Café. What snowboard injury? Seated with a great view of the flight line we were able to keep our eye on the -10 as she flexed and posed for a crowd of swooning admirers and watch other less worthy inbound traffic.
Scott applied his courtroom expertise to selecting a meal and cross examining the waitress for 15 minutes before settling for “whatever the cook says is best”. Armed with guidance from Russ that the Hanger Café has the best burger ever I selected the CHAR burger which we later learned was the prized creation of the chef. Due to the highly entertaining and scholarly level of conversation lunch appeared in what seemed like minutes (or was it they just wanted to get rite of us?). Two wonderful burgers came accompanied by the chef who clearly had to meet Scott after the waitress reported to her about his amazing oratory abilities.
After enjoying what we both agree must truly be the best burgers in Vermont we headed out to the flight light were the -10 was still posing for her admirers. One of whom was Ray. Ray had flown in from NY in his Grumman Tiger, but couldn’t take his eyes off the -10. To be honest I was a little uncomfortable with the way he seemed to want to stroke her cowling but as along as everyone keeps their hands way from her undercarriage I am willing to be a little open minded.
After Ray helped us document our little adventure with a few glamor shots with the -10 as eye candy we mounted up and headed back to Franklin County. Scott again demonstrated he is a natural pilot and did a great job maintaining airspeed, altitude and keeping the mountains on the right sideJ. We even expanded his flight maneuver envelope by practicing 45 degree angle of bank (AOB) turns which he performed better than many of the private pilots I coach. We tried to stretch out our adventure by doing touch and go landings at Burlington under the guise of getting a better look at the city. After a few trips around the pattern and checking out the local sights we headed back to the airport in Swanton where we dodged the ski divers while making a few more practice landings to drag the flight out even more. Eventually all good things must end so we reluctantly put the RV10 back into her hanger and with a mournful smile we shook hands and started planning for the next time!