Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 10, Section 10: The First Civil Aviation Flight, Company Interpersonal Relationships
Fang Wen officially joined the airline and received his first flight arrangement on his third day in Shanghai.

His flight was scheduled to depart at 3 p.m., so he took the company car to the airport in the morning to familiarize himself with the environment beforehand.

Schmidt also went along.

Upon arriving at the airport, Schmidt introduced Fang Wen to the airport's ground staff and mechanics.

The ground crew was arranged by the Chinese side, but the aircraft mechanics were handled by the American side.

After a friendly exchange with them, a working relationship was established.

Next, you need to observe the airport environment and learn about the aircraft you are about to fly on.

The airport is very large, with a wide runway that is twice the length of the one at the flight school.

After surveying the surroundings, Fang Wen boarded the plane and picked up the onboard radio.

"Tower, Baiyun-3 requests a test flight."

Schmidt's voice came through the radio.

"Received. Baiyun-3 test flight application approved. It cannot exceed one hour."

Fang Wen felt relieved. This was the benefit of loose management; if he wanted to take a test flight, he could just tell Schmidt.

He pulled the control stick, the engine started, and the propellers on both sides of the wings began to rotate.

As the plane accelerated, its fuselage lifted up and it soared into the sky.

In the sky, Fang Wen felt like a giant eagle, soaring freely in the air.

However, this giant eagle could not fully enjoy itself due to problems with the aircraft's equipment.

It seems that Baiyun-3 has some problems.

Yes, there are definitely some problems. Other pilots noticed the issues through their experience and naturally assigned the worst planes to the new pilots.

Fang Wen carefully considered the situation and tried to find out the real problem.

The best way is to test the aircraft's response through various flights.

After completing several standard procedures, Fang Wen discovered some equipment problems with Baiyun-3.

The engine will vibrate slightly when the aircraft begins to climb.

This is a reaction to equipment overload.

There must be some problem inside the engine.

Although it doesn't seem like a big problem now, it will definitely be a hidden danger if accumulated over time.

He landed the plane and, while the ground crew refueled, walked toward the mechanic who was busy on another plane.

"Hello, Howard, I felt there was a problem with the engine during my test flight just now."

The mechanic, covered in engine oil, crawled out from under the plane, stood up, and looked at Fang Wen.

"Impossible. I just inspected the Baiyun 3 engine, and it's working normally."

How should I explain this to the other party?
Fang Wen thought for a moment and replied, "At normal speeds, you really can't feel anything, but once you accelerate or perform high-load flight maneuvers, the aircraft's power can't keep up."

"You felt it too?!" The mechanic looked at Fang Wen in surprise, clearly having heard this before.

He shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. To solve this problem, the engine would have to be disassembled and inspected, but I'm the only mechanic here, and I simply can't do that. You can only drive it like this, and maybe a new engine will be delivered next year to replace it."

The mechanic's words left Fang Wen speechless.

Although it's not a big problem now, what if something goes wrong in the future?
Fang Wen felt that he should learn some mechanical knowledge so that if he ever flew a plane to the battlefield and a problem arose, he could be repaired in the field.

After all, piston aircraft engines in this era weren't that complex, so perhaps I could learn how to use them.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen did not argue with the mechanic, but instead smiled and continued to talk to him.

This mechanic named Howard was the kind of person who was not good at talking and was rather introverted.

But he really enjoys it when others initiate conversations with him.

Howard was pleased with Fang Wen's initiative in communicating, and the two chatted happily.

Before we knew it, it was noon.

When there are civil aviation flight missions, the pilots eat lunch at the airport. So, led by Howard, Fang Wen went to the canteen and ate his first working meal.

It has both vegetables and meat, so it's alright.

There was also a special dish provided specifically for American pilots: potato and beef soup. Fang Wen took a bowl and tasted it.

The potatoes were cooked until they were soft and the beef was very tender.

"It seems there are no onions."

Howard nodded as he ate.

"Yes, we've run out of the sea-shipped fresh onions. We'll have to wait until next month for a new ration."

"Doesn't Shanghai have onions?" Fang Wen asked in surprise.

"They don't like it; they insist on onions from our region."

Howard was referring to them as pilots.

Those people were a small group who often went out together. Schmidt had subtly warned Fang Wen not to get too close to them.

As for why, Fang Wen vaguely guessed it.

Those who came to Shanghai to seek their fortune in this era were all speculators, from all walks of life; don't expect them to be gentlemen.

Just then, Fang Wen suddenly heard someone calling him.

"Commissioner Fang."

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Manager Wen Helin walking in from outside the cafeteria, accompanied by a man and a woman.

Fang Wen stood up and walked over.

Wen Helin introduced, "These are your two students, both of whom have returned from studying in Europe. Fei Yizhen and Yue Jinping."

Fei Yizhen was a male student, and Yue Jinping was a female student. Both of them were tall, had good temperament, and were very good-looking.

Fang Wen extended his hand to shake hands with the two men.

"Let's work together and make progress together in the future."

These words immediately put the two students, who had been somewhat nervous, at ease.

Wen Helin smiled and said, "You young people are easy to talk to. I'll be going now. You can arrange the random flight yourselves."

Fang Wen nodded, watched Wen Helin leave, and then discussed things with the two of them.

"According to regulations, only one person can be brought on each flight. Who wants to go first?"

Fei Yizhen looked at Yue Jinping: "Let her go first."

After confirming the passengers, Fang Wen and Howard said goodbye and led the two onto the plane.

On the plane, he gave the two a brief introduction to the aircraft's various performance aspects and operation.

Yue Jinping exclaimed, "Commissioner Fang is so amazing! He explained such a complicated procedure so clearly. I understood it, but I felt like I didn't know where to start."

Fei Yizhen nodded: "Theory and practice need to go hand in hand. I will study hard and strive to become a qualified driver within a year."

Fang Wen was stunned.

What seemed simple to him was considered complicated by two flight cadets who had returned from studying in Europe.

This is the change brought about by my special ability. Because I have become one with the aircraft, things that seem complicated to others have become very simple.

If I didn't have this amazing ability, I'd probably still be waiting to graduate from Nanyuan Flight School.

"Commissioner Fang, boarding has begun. What should I do?" Yue Jinping asked nervously, pointing to the five passengers approaching from a distance.

"Don't worry, they've already passed the check. You just need to check their tickets and get them seated. Ten minutes after takeoff, give each of them a drink."

Fang Wen dragged a case of Coca-Cola beverages produced by Watsons Soft Drinks out of the driver's cab and placed it next to Yue Jinping's seat.

He prepared this himself. Since flight trainees are also responsible for providing in-flight services, providing drinks to each passenger can be considered a form of service.

Fei Yizhen then disembarked from the plane, and Yue Jinping greeted the passengers at the cabin door.

Then their seats were arranged according to their tickets.

After the plane took off, Yue Jinping smiled and offered each passenger a bottle of beverage.

These services, which would otherwise be commonplace, have given passengers a unique experience.

It seems that this is what spending a lot of money to travel by plane should be like.

(End of this chapter)