Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 960: Chapter 485 Successful Test Flight!_1

Liu Jiankun became so embarrassed he almost panicked.

The others stopped teasing him, but a distant snicker was inevitable; they knew the Air Force leaders weren’t wrong—Liu Jiankun had definitely played a trick. He couldn’t find an excuse to come and see for himself, so he rounded up a bunch of people claiming they were there to visit and inspect.

Most people could understand Liu Jiankun’s position. The Warhawk team’s efficiency was unbelievably high, and the Warhawk-1 engine project was under intense scrutiny.

As the general manager of the Aviation Group, Liu Jiankun undoubtedly cared more than anyone else and feared that something might go wrong.

This topic passed, and the discussion moved on to the issue of test flights.

In the eyes of the leadership, test flights weren’t a big deal. It was just a matter of letting the engine take to the skies for a trial. Even if a problem arose mid-flight, since the test aircraft were equipped with twin engines, one failing engine wouldn’t pose a danger.

Of course, the testing department still had to take it seriously.

Liu Jiankun had called over Zhai Licheng, a professional test pilot, precisely to familiarize him with the Warhawk-1 engine parameters so he could prepare.

The head of the testing department came to record information and to coordinate with the Warhawk team about mounting the engine onto the aircraft.

Mounting an engine onto a fighter jet isn’t as simple as just installing it; it also requires installing a corresponding control system for the fighter jet and making necessary adjustments to simply control the engine.

All of this is part of the preparation for the test flight.

Of course.

The Warhawk team’s role was to share parameters and systems; the rest was up to the testing department, whose more important task was to perfect the engine.

Liu Jiankun had come now to see with his own eyes whether the Warhawk-1 engine had reached the standards required for test flights. The rate at which the Warhawk team had applied for test flights and reported work progress was so fast that he couldn’t believe it.

Liu Jiankun didn’t mind being ’seen through.’ He promptly suggested they start the engine to let everyone have a look, "Start it up once, so we can all see."

The others were also looking forward to it. frёeωebɳovel.com

Zhao Yi directly refused, "We can’t start it now. The main shaft is being improved, and the manufacturing plant said they can’t get here shortly; we have to make the adjustments ourselves."

"It’ll probably take two more days."

"If you want to see the operational test, come back after two days, once the main shaft is fixed and installed."

He then called out to someone nearby, "Captain Yuan, come here for a moment."

Yuan Haitao quickly ran over.

Zhao Yi asked him, "How much longer do we need for the main shaft?"

"Half a day will be enough," Yuan Haitao replied. "I just inquired; something needs to be welded at the very front, and after that’s done, we can install the blades."

"Hmm."

Zhao Yi nodded and said to Liu Jiankun, "It’s actually a bit quicker than I expected; probably by tomorrow evening, I guess."

"Tomorrow evening..."

"That’s a bit long. I didn’t plan to stay for two days. I thought I’d be leaving after one day."

"Just waiting one day is no big deal. I’m staying right here anyway, and can take the opportunity to learn about how the engine is made."

Before Liu Jiankun could speak, several others were already discussing.

Some were too busy at work and definitely couldn’t wait a day, while others were relatively free and felt waiting one day wasn’t an issue.

Liu Jiankun made a decision, "Those who are busy can leave first. I will stay here for a few days until..."

He said firmly, "Until the test flight!"

Everyone understood the implication.

Everyone felt that Liu Jiankun didn’t trust the Warhawk team and had found an excuse to come and see for himself. Could his lack of trust disappoint the Warhawk team?

The most important person was Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi was the gem of the Aviation Group, and Liu Jiankun definitely hoped to redeem his image by ’doing as he said.’ Since he claimed he came for the test flight, he might as well wait until the test flight was over before leaving.

In fact, Zhao Yi didn’t care at all. It wasn’t because he was magnanimous or anything. For him, he didn’t need anyone’s trust as his research wasn’t conducted for show.

Believe or not, what did it matter?

As long as the research funding was provided, resources and personnel were supported, and it didn’t affect the research, that was what mattered.

Liu Jiankun bringing a group was a good thing. For instance, with many leaders coming over, it motivated everyone to perform better, thus making them more proactive.

Of course.

There was pressure as well.

But relatively speaking, there wasn’t much pressure on the Warhawk team’s work because their progress was unexpectedly fast, they hadn’t run into any technical problems, and there seemed to be no issues they couldn’t solve. Each person just focused on their own tasks; without difficulty, there was naturally no pressure.

...

One day passed.

Most of the Warhawk team were invested in assembling the prototype. Yuan Haitao, along with two technicians, was coordinating data and system issues with the testing department.

Liu Jiankun and his group also got involved in the prototype assembly, with some leaders even helping to lift heavy equipment, instruments, and components, just like the workers.

Everyone was busy.

Zhao Yi was one of the few who had some spare time, the other being Zhai Licheng.

Zhai Licheng had just been looking at the engine data when he couldn’t stop exclaiming, "This is amazing!"

"This thrust, is it real?"

"If this engine is mounted on a J-8B, I bet it could surpass Mach 2, maybe even reach Mach 3?"

Zhai Licheng was full of amazement, and while his comments seemed exaggerated, they really weren’t. It wasn’t that his data was exaggerated.