Chapter 0192
The first S-Class pilot to grace the world stage!
When Madison disembarked from the aircraft, she did not immediately look to the big screen. Instead, she turned and ran towards the plane Leck had just piloted to a steady stop.
“Captain Leck!”
As Leck descended, the tail flame of his plane finally sprung into view.
Only then did the crowd notice something was amiss with the plane’s tail, and the ground crew swarmed towards it.
Watching the rising plumes of white smoke, a sense of surviving a close call enveloped Madison.
She turned to Leck, who was also catching his breath, his gaze fixed quietly on the plane’s tail section.
“Thank you, Captain Leck.”
At her words, Leck turned.
That look conveyed respect to Madison.
Throughout her journey, she had faced innumerable instances of condescension. Even after joining Mukino Airlines and climbing the ranks through sheer tenacity, she knew that most still believed her success hinged on Ethan.
This was the first time Madison truly felt respect from a peer.
Leck stood up straight, his voice hoarse, “You need to work even harder, so I won’t regret not being the first S-Class pilot.”
Simultaneously, Leck’s name appeared on the second row of the big
screen.
Both pilots, courageous enough to attempt the final assessment, had secured their S-Class ratings.
This certification would grant them unfettered international flying privileges for decades to come.
As Madison returned to the waiting area, her mind replayed the harrowing moments in the sky.
They had both descended in unison, preparing to traverse the moderate storm.
Their aim was to maintain parallel paths, using the airflow to disperse
resistance.
But the sudden onset of the storm caught them off guard.
Leck’s voice in the channel was urgent: “Fly in a single line! You go first! Hurry!”
Without hesitation, Madison sped up, and Leck instinctively positioned himself behind her.
Forming a single line was a precaution-if the storm did strike, at least one might survive.
Flying
ng side by side meant both wings could be hit simultaneously, leading to an instant and catastrophic loss of control.
Leck’s selfless act deeply moved Madison.
Only a pilot willing to sacrifice themselves for others truly embodied the spirit of aviation.
In an emergency, Leck would surely prioritize the safety of every passenger over his own.
Madison realized her prejudices.
Since that air show competition, she harbored a negative impression of Leck, subconsciously viewing him as ruthless and fame-driven.
Now, after encountering him again, she had treated him as a rival,
even an enemy.
She had never expected Leck to come to her aid time and again.
“Madison, you were incredible!”
“The rising star of Mukino Airlines! So proud!”
“Outstanding performance!”
“Amazing!”
“Captain Madison, when you burst through those clouds, I got
goosebumps!”
A close escape?
Not quite.
But certainly, at that moment, as Madison piloted Mukino Airlines’ Airbus A380 through the storm, she brought hope to all Mukino pilots and reignited their competitive fire.
If Mukino could have a first, why shouldn’t they strive for the same?
Consequently, as soon as Madison took a moment to rest, Mukino pilots signalled one by one to the assessment judges, eager for their
turn.
Due to the mishap with Madison and Leck, the international judges conferred for a long time.
They deemed the storm
assessment too perilous-a single misstep
could lead to devastating losses for any airline.
Eventually, under the persistently gloomy skies, they decided to
suspend the thunderstorm challenge, opting instead for ‘flight completion within a set route and time in heavy rain’.
Volunteers for the storm challenge could apply in advance for a separate collective assessment.
Fairness was key; it wouldn’t be right for others to gain the same classification easily when Madison and Leck had risked so much.
This change led to private meetings among many airlines.
Old Gao gathered the domestic pilots to clarify, “Without applying for the thunderstorm challenge, you’ll likely only reach A-Class. You understand why.”
Others shouldn’t easily attain the S-Class that was earned through risk and skill.
It was
just.
Elsewhere, Madison and Leck, exempt from such meetings, relaxed in the rest area, enjoying official refreshments and casual conversa
Only through their chat did Madison learn that Leck was just thi years old.
Leck seemed puzzled and, out of politeness, spoke his oddly accented Mandarin, “Do I look that old?”
Madison shook her head and waved her hands quickly, “Not at all, very youthful! I’m just surprised, I thought you were my age.”
“How old are you?” Leck probed.
“Twenty-five,” Madison replied.
Leck was taken aback by her answer, hesitantly gesturing with his hands, “Twenty, five years?”
In his excitement, he blurted out in English, “My God?! You’re only
45
twenty-five?”
Madison laughed, “You thought I was over thirty?”
Leck sincerely admitted, “Judging by your flying skills, thirty would make sense! So, you’re a genius!”
He repeated in Mandarin, “A genius!”
“How about a photo together, genius captain?” Leck suggested.
Naturally, Madison wouldn’t refuse, “Sure.”
Leck prepared his phone for a selfie.
As they prepared to take the shot, Leck adorably picked up their freshly minted certification, “Open it up, we need a clear shot of that ‘S
Suppressing a smile, Madison complied, unfolding the certificate.
The camera captured them and their prized flying credentials, encapsulating the moment.
Leck immediately posted the photo to the hottest international captioning it-
“First S-Class female pilot in the world alongside the first S-Class male pilot-a century in one frame!”
