Chapter 0100
The simulated crash dive involves a high-altitude, high-speed nosedive, followed by a last-minute pull-up just before reaching a terrifyingly low altitude above the ground.
Any misstep in this maneuver could lead to an actual crash.
It wasn’t a skill within the reach of an average pilot, but rather one that only seasoned warplane aviators could execute, drawing on years of experience and ability.
Even Brian couldn’t help but interject, “There’s no need for such a dangerous exercise. You should know how much effort and resources the state and the academy have invested in each of you. You should cherish the hard work you’ve put in. There are other ways to prove your skills.”
The simulated crash dive was something not even a veteran military pilot like Brian would guarantee he could pull off every time.
Every warplane pilot would undergo no less than ten thousand simulations before daring to attempt it in reality.
So, injuries and fatalities were, unfortunately, not uncommon.
Left Yulei might be a tad overconfident.
Despite her respect for a veteran like Brian, Left Yulei was indeed proud and turned to the silent Madison, “Scared? If you are, what’s the point of participating in the performance race? You’re representing your country against pilots from other nations; it’s not just about losing.”
“You’re young, speak with some respect,” Charlie retorted coldly.
Faced with Captain Charlie, Left Yulei seemed to hold back her anger.
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She did restrain herself, muttering, “What’s someone who doesn’t even fly international routes saying?
Charlie took a step forward, “What was that?”
As she saw Charlie approaching, Left Yulei quickly dodged to the side, “What are you doing?”
Coach Gao promptly quelled the commotion, reprimanding, “Have you no discipline? Is this a school where you can argue whenever you want?”
His thunderous shout silenced the team.
“Are we really letting them compete?” whispered an old military pilot assigned as a technical advisor.
“Coach Gao, you know this is not a joke, it’s genuinely dangerous. These pilots are the talents of major airlines.”
Coach Gao hesitated as well.
He was well aware that this matter was no laughing matter.
But this year’s International Aviation Show indeed included the simulated crash dive, something unprecedented in the previous five shows. This was why the national airline had outright refused to lead the team, tossing this hot potato to Mukino International.
The risks were high.
Coach Gao glanced once more at Madison, who hadn’t uttered a word.
He had seen many of this woman’s training videos.
Extremely talented.
He wanted to see for himself the guts that earned her the direct
referral from the chairman of Mukino International.
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Would she dare to accept the challenge?
“What do you think?” Coach Gao inquired.
Madison looked up.
Just as the sunlight broke through the clouds, it fell upon her shoulder.
“I can.”
The two words, uttered so lightly, changed the expressions of everyone present.
Brian immediately pulled her aside, “Madison, don’t be rash! This is no joke!”
Did she have the experience?
Did she know how?
Was she confident?
Even Charlie frowned and unusually inquired, “Can you handle it? If not, don’t overdo it.”
Madison was a little surprised that Charlie would worry about her.
She walked forward leisurely, her voice soft, “When they come knocking, you don’t wait to be hit.”
That statement set the hearts of the pilots from Mukino International
ablaze.
Every pilot harbored grand ambitions and a heart yearning for freedom.
Left Yulei was taken aback that Madison would accept the challenge. She had only meant to intimidate the new captain into stepping aside.
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Coach Gao’s admiring gaze lingered on Madison for a second before he ordered, “Set up the course by the sea and clear the nearby airspace.”
“Roger!”
This airspace was reserved for military flight training, dedicated solely to Slandon Port.
Left Yulei went pale watching the specialized combat aircraft for the show roar toward them.
Her parents were military pilots, and she had tried and failed many times in the simulator, although she had succeeded once in real conditions.
Since then, she hadn’t dared try again-the risks were too high.
Coach Gao used the walkie-talkie to give instructions, “All medical staff to the training field.”
Within ten minutes, twenty-eight medical personnel from the base
had arrived.
The combat aircraft looked imposing, its presence alone commanding respect.
Madison asked, “Do you want to go first, or shall I?”
Left Yulei clutched her clothes, “You go first.”
Charlie immediately scorned, “Cunning.”
“You!”
“Enough!” Coach Gao intervened, “Madison, go ahead. Set your own limit for the pull-up, whatever distance you’re comfortable with.”
That meant any distance above the sea level for pull-up was
acceptable-no specific requirements.
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But Madison remembered from related training that the current record for the lowest pull-up was approximately three and a half
meters.
That meant just a mere three and a half meters from touching the ground or the sea, the pilot would maneuver the aircraft back into flight.
And in real-life conditions, the shortest distance was two meters and
ten centimeters.
Madison remembered it vividly.
Because that was the record held by her grandfather, a record no pilot had surpassed to this day.
“Afraid?” Coach Gao approached her, asking kindly.
Madison thought silently.
To say she wasn’t afraid would be a lie.
What if she mishandled the plane and crashed into the sea?
The chances of survival were almost none.
This was why pilots were so preciously guarded.
As the combat aircraft approached, with the wind blowing towards her, Madison seemed to hear her grandfather’s hearty voice-
“Madison, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the sky, you must break through the fear of death.”
“Be bold, your grandfather believes in you.”
Something struck Madison’s heart.
Not only did she desire a career that rivaled the skies, but now she also longed for a love that did the same.
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Her gap with Ethan was crystal clear.
To stand proudly by his side, Madison knew she had to climb step by
step…
Thinking of her grandfather and that sincere man, she found herself smiling, “Not afraid.”
Minutes later.
Dressed in a professional training suit, Madison climbed into the combat aircraft, leaving Left Yulei crouching down, her legs weak.
No one is fearless. Even for Brian, taking his turn now would still be frightening.
Coach Gao arranged for everyone to board a shuttle bus to the nearby
coast.
Not far, just over two hundred meters.
As the group disembarked, they lined up within a safe boundary.
And in the distance, the propellers of the combat aircraft began spin, gathering speed.
Inside the aircraft, Madison reviewed the techniques and key points of the simulated crash dive her grandfather had taught her.
After taking a couple of deep breaths, she pushed the throttle forward, and the aircraft left the ground, zooming towards the sea.
Before reaching the sea, Madison turned her head, casting a determined glance in the direction of Mukino International.
That look, filled with resolve, seemed to traverse countless distances, finding the figure of a certain man.
On the ground, everyone held their breath. The medical teams and rescue squad stood ready by the sea.
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The aircraft, like a bird breaking free from the earth, shot straight up
into the sky!
And then, at a certain height, it suddenly appeared to lose control, its body flipping sideways, plunging rapidly towards the sea!
This was the simulated crash dive!
Terrifying, as if the plane was actually out of control.
As the spectators watched this unfold, their hearts clenched with tension for Madison.
In mid-air.
The fighter jet plummeted swiftly, getting closer and closer to the seal surface…
Closer and closer…
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