... and almost wishes he hadn't...
Enough fuel has burned off now for a noticeable improvement in climb performance, aided by the fact that they're a few passengers lighter on this leg to Riverton.
As they transition to cruise,, the captain thinks he notices something different about #1. He instinctively cranes his neck to look back at it, knowing full well he won't discern much by doing so. At least it's not leaking oil, or smoking...
And the gauges read OK. Fuel pressure to #1 is a hair lower, but it's negligible. Must be his imagination...
The weather is still fantastic. Wind is not too bad at this altitude, either. Soon they pass Thermopolis; he can clearly see the runway at Hot Springs Airport.
And now he can see the gap in the mountains where the Bighorn River flows down from Boyse Reservoir... he considers climbing for more altitude over the rough terrain, then decides to stay put and turn down into the valley if anything goes wrong. The leg is almost halfway over- making good time, but still falling behind schedule.
Next: arriving at Riverton, Wyoming
