Chapter 0190
Charlie was worried for her, “Madison, you can wait a bit, at least see how others perform during the assessment. If there’s a mishap… there’s no second chance.”
“I know.”
Madison’s pupils reflected the image of the distant, imposing aircraft.
Old Gao and Deputy Director Ye were also sweating bullets for her. Madison now made her way toward the verification area, “Only those who dare to lead can taste the sweetness of victory.”
Her voice drifted back, carried by the cool breeze.
That solitary figure in white passed in front of more than a thousand pilots, devoid of any trace of nerves. Her dark trousers accentuated
long legs, lending an unhurried ease to her stride.
her
Aside from the pilots, the assessment site was filled with hundre of officials, staff, and recording personnel – a gathering of around two thousand people.
Only two had the courage to attempt the first trial, and only they were allowed to be assessed in this initial batch.
After confirming their identities, the officer meticulously and firmly explained the rules of the assessment to both contestants.
Another Chinese officer approached Madison, reiterating the instructions in Mandarin, “Captain Madison, do you need anything explained again? I am happy to go over it once more.”
This Chinese officer wanted to ensure she had understood the rules
clearly.
After all, Madison was not just representing her nation’s civilian pilots; she embodied the unique courage and responsibility of female aviators.
“I understood,” Madison nodded, having listened intently and assured of her comprehension.
The final assessment indeed posed a challenge, requiring specific weather conditions.
It seemed that no one could escape this trial during the city’s rainy
season.
Once Madison and Leck were ready, the officials, after some discussion, came over and bent down to tell them-
“We allow you to pilot aircraft from your respective countries. What do you decide?”
Madison and Leck exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.
Everyone feared malfunctions with unfamiliar planes, trusting on own country’s aircraft was natural.
Upon receiving this news, Deputy Director Ye promptly arranged for their planes, already on standby at the vast airport, to be brought over.
The aircraft models matched, as previously notified to the civil aviation authorities of each nation.
After a while, two planes slowly approached.
And to Madison and Leck’s astonishment….
The aircraft that came into view were not the common Airbus A340,
but…
The Airbus A380!
The Airbus A380-800 model, the world’s largest wide-body passenger
plane to date. At 72.73 meters long, with a wingspan of 79.15 meters,
a height of 24.07 meters, it had a takeoff weight of about 560 tons and a range of 15,000 kilometers.
A veritable colossus of the skies.
And a dream for many a pilot of the new generation to fly!
Even Leck, despite having touched it a few times, had never professionally piloted it.
It was the dream of every aviator.
What pilot wouldn’t want to operate the world’s largest aircraft?
It’s like asking which chef wouldn’t want to use the best cookware in the world.
Madison’s heartbeat quickened in an instant.
The two Airbus A380s, one to the left and the other to the right, bore their respective logos; Mukino Airlines on the left and the emblem of Leck’s company on the right.
Mukino Airlines’ logo, a striking mix of black, white, and deep blue, featured a black base, a deep blue pattern, and white lettering-quite eye-catching.
Leck’s company sported the standard blue background with red lettering.
They were informed they could board the planes.
As Madison walked towards the colossal aircraft, the audience of pilots erupted in screams the moment the planes appeared.
None had expected the final assessment’s designated airliners to be these behemoths!!!
Upon boarding the plane, Madison wondered if this Airbus A380 was
sponsored by Mukino Airlines or if it simply bore their logo for the
event.
With no time left to ponder, the ground signal was given.
The two planes, one with a black tail and the other blue, stood on the
same flight path. The flag signaled, and they moved in unison.
A long runway lay ahead, explaining the vast size of the venue, designed specifically for the final assessment.
As they prepared for takeoff from left to right, it allowed all spectators to have a clear view.
There were tower adjustments during the assessment.
Madison and Leck, side by side, faced the ominous sky, where dark clouds churned, the powerful air currents visibly tumultuous.
When the two Airbus A380s ascended together, all pilots below applauded.
At that moment, they forgot their nationalities, clapping solely for the courage of the two aviators.
Watching the Mukino Airlines-branded Airbus A380 lift off, Mukino’s pilots couldn’t help but get misty-eyed.
That sense of honor, that sense of solidarity, led them all to pray for Madison.
To pray for her safe return.
Once the two Airbus A380s vanished into the clouds, beyond the naked eye, the big screen broadcasted their radar signals in real-time.
Countless eyes were glued to the screen.
Several lines appeared on the screen.
The two white dashed lines mapped the respective routes Madison
and Leck were to navigate.
The two parallel red dots represented the two pilots, with the white solid line trailing behind them indicating their flight path, clear and unmistakable.
But beneath all those lines, the areas grew redder and redder.
That indicated an intense thunderstorm, with the airflow pattern becoming more distinct.
Furthermore, seated on the ground, they all felt the strong wind, almost too intense to keep their eyes open.
Despite this, not a single soul left; all strained to watch the screen.
As they reached the designated points in the airspace, the three- minute countdown began.
They had to fly back along the predefined routes within three minutes.
In such severe weather, what if they encountered a thunderstorm?
That question came too late for worry.
For the two Airbus A380s just entering the set course had already met
with the storm.
In the channel, the pilots of the two Airbus A380s communicated.
“Have you ever flown through a thunderstorm?” Leck called out over the turbulence.
Madison replied, “Twice.”
Leck seemed relieved, grateful to have encountered such a companion and competitor.
He spoke quickly, yet composedly, “The storm hasn’t formed a full front. We’ll follow the normal route, fly back as fast as we can, then cut through it, ok?”
“Let’s go,” was all Madison said.
With that command, the two simultaneously pushed the control
yokes.
On the big screen on the ground, the two red dots suddenly veered off in different directions.
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