Free Web NovelChapter 1043: Chapter 516: Test Flight? Let’s Try It?_2
The tuning speed of Warhawk-1 was so rapid that it caught the Aviation Group off guard. Zhai Licheng had only received half a month of training, and that was solely on a specially manufactured training device.
Although Zhai Licheng was a veteran pilot with extensive experience, the control of Warhawk-1 was different from other fighter jets, especially with the addition of an automatic control system, which made the control of the fighter jet quite distinct.
It was like a driver accustomed to a bulky truck suddenly switching to driving an advanced sports car; they would definitely need some time to adapt.
Zhai Licheng was clearly excited; he tried to suppress the emotions swirling within him but struggled to remain calm. His colleagues quickly cheered him on to help him regain his composure.
At that moment, Zhai Licheng was thinking about how he was in front of the most advanced fighter jet, and being the first test pilot to board it was a tremendous honor, truly worth commemorating.
Unfortunately, photos were not allowed.
This was a bit regrettable.
Zhao Yi also walked over to Zhai Licheng’s side. He didn’t offer encouragement or anything else, instead, he discussed operational issues with Zhai Licheng related to the automatic control system, "You need to be careful when operating it. The automatic control system is very intelligent and will adjust the airframe automatically based on the environment the aircraft is in. In extreme situations, it will even control the engine’s operation."
"If you’re not very proficient, or if you encounter an unexpected situation, it’s best not to switch to manual control; otherwise, it might get somewhat complicated."
"..."
Zhao Yi went on and on, all about the automatic control system.
The biggest difference in operating Warhawk-1 compared to other fighters was the automatic control. This automatic control wasn’t about flying the aircraft but controlling the engine and airframe, which could potentially affect a pilot’s normal operations.
Zhai Licheng listened and nodded repeatedly, focusing his thoughts on operation as his excitement subdued somewhat.
Finally, the test preparations began.
Zhai Licheng strode confidently toward the fighter jet.
Many people cheered for him, while the commander was constantly reminding him, "Be careful not to over operate. This is just a running test."
"Roger that!"
The commander’s reminders were quite important.
Zhai Licheng had only conducted simple, basic training and was not familiar with the flight performance parameters; excessive operation could lead to problems.
Fortunately, this was just the first test. The startup test didn’t require the aircraft to take off but merely for it to start normally, run and accelerate over a certain distance, and that was it.
The test plan’s top speed was only two hundred miles per hour.
This speed couldn’t even match a high-speed sports car; on the vast and empty airport runway, the risk was very small. Even if problems arose, the control tower could send signals to shut down the engine and forcefully bring it to a stop.
Zhai Licheng entered the cockpit, climbed aboard the plane with graceful movements, stood on top, saluted in the direction of his colleagues, then sat in the cockpit and closed the canopy above.
"Ready!"
Along with the commander’s shout, the plane’s external connection cables were detached, and the external electronic parameter monitoring equipment was connected.
"Ignition, ready!"
At this moment, the commander and Zhai Licheng communicated, confirming that everything was fine and ready to begin, and then the preparation signal was immediately issued.
"10, 9, 8..."
"...2, 1!"
"Start!"
As the words fell.
There was a sound from the plane’s engine, which rapidly grew louder before the aircraft autonomously moved for the first time and began to slowly pick up speed.
The distant command and test personnel continually monitored the aircraft’s operational parameters, with each person being extremely tense, constantly worrying about potential issues.
Zhao Yi, on the other hand, just watched the aircraft operate. He wasn’t overly concerned and asked Liu Jiankun, "If all the data is normal, can we proceed with a flight test?"
"Let’s see," Liu Jiankun replied, somewhat nervously. He didn’t understand why Zhao Yi seemed so nonchalant. He too hoped that the plane would be problem-free—preferably without even minor issues. After a moment of thought, he suggested, "If all the data is normal, maybe we could give it a try?"
He looked around at the others as if seeking support.
Everyone just listened.
In reality, everyone knew that proceeding directly to a flight test was a bit premature; they would definitely carry out further inspections, let the plane run a few more times before attempting a flight test. After all, they were dealing with a top technology fighter jet, which hadn’t been easy to produce. The prototype alone cost over a billion renminbi.
The cost is equivalent to making every part of the aircraft out of gold.
If something went wrong midway, the loss would be too great, not to mention the wasted time, the consequences would be unaffordable.
Zhao Yi, however, was quite indifferent, "If all the data are normal, what else is there to test? The next test would also be normal."
He was indeed very confident.
The system’s capabilities had already provided the answer; he couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be any minor issues, but there were certainly no major ones. Any issues that could be found during assembly had been fixed, so further testing would be pointless.
The aircraft was still racing down the runway, its speed soaring to two hundred miles an hour— the maximum speed in the plan.
Zhai Licheng’s operation was very skillful, he even managed a turn, controlling the speed quite well to ensure the plane would not fail due to operation.
Very soon.
The ten-minute operational test was over.
The aircraft returned to its starting position, and inspectors reported back the parameters, all data were normal and essentially consistent with the plan.
Without an order from the commander, Zhai Licheng continued to wait inside the cockpit.
At this time, Liu Jiankun, having heard all the normal parameters, turned his head to Zhao Yi and asked, "Shall we give it a try?"
Zhao Yi said, "I have no objections, it’s good to make progress quickly rather than wasting time unnecessarily."
The others looked at each other, but no one spoke up.
Everyone hoped to see the test flight rather than wait, but a direct flight test deviated from the plan; it seemed too rushed.
If something really went wrong during the test flight, leading to an accident, Zhao Yi probably wouldn’t be affected because his status was unshakeable, and it wouldn’t matter if he shouldered the blame, but the others couldn’t afford it.
Perhaps...
Once the higher-ups heard about it, they would think it was their fault, with a very good reason, "Academician Zhao is only in his twenties, and he lacks experience. If he doesn’t understand and doesn’t have experience, shouldn’t you stop him on the spot? Moreover, he doesn’t have the final say; it’s your responsibility."
"How great a loss would that be if such a big accident happened!"
Then, they would take the blame.
Some people, after thinking deeply about it, were about to speak up to stop it, but when they realized no one else was speaking, they too kept silent.
Seeing that no one had any objections, Liu Jiankun simply gritted his teeth and said, "Let’s give it a try!"
As soon as these words were out, the commander immediately confirmed, then communicated with Zhai Licheng in the aircraft, confirmed the operation process, and they prepared to proceed with the test flight.
Once the decision was made, everyone set aside their worries and began to feel anticipation.
Warhawk-1 was the most anticipated fighter jet project, because it was designed to be very advanced, initially to be compared with the F-35, and its theoretical performance even surpassed that of the F-35.
China’s J-20 is also very advanced, with the highest assessment being near that of a fifth-generation fighter, but the J-20 is a heavy fighter, limited in combat and use. The J-20 is comparable to M Country’s F-22, while the F-35 is just a downsized version of the F-22.
The current Warhawk-1 is a true medium-sized fighter, lighter than the F-35, equipped with the highest technology; its first test flight was of utmost importance.
When the commander finished communicating with Zhai Licheng and formally prepared for the test flight, many people’s hearts also lifted, they even regretted not having objected earlier, definitely a more cautious approach would have been better, but it was definitely too late to stop it now.
"There’s nothing we can do now!"
"I hope there won’t be any problems, any at all... Just fly a circle and come back, a normal takeoff and landing is all we need."
"As long as there’s no major issue, that’s fine!" frёewebnoѵēl.com
At the same time.
Zhai Licheng inside the cockpit was also very excited; he had not at all expected to go straight to a test flight upon getting in, feeling utterly unprepared.
Yet, he suppressed his excitement, his expression turning resolute.
"I can’t make a mistake!" freewebnoveℓ.com
"It’s bound to be a success! Just perform the operations as during training."
"There’s no problem, come on!"
"..."
