Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 86, Part 85: Boeing 247 Flight Mastery, Manager Liu and Sun Debiao's Pledge of Allegiance
The celebration of exchanging tung oil for airplanes and the handover ceremony of the airplanes were successfully completed.

When the meeting adjourned, the tung oil merchants specifically inquired about and confirmed the time and place for the monthly rent payment.

Fang Wen and Manager Liu patiently replied that they would collect the goods on the 15th of each month at the general ledger office of Taishan Airlines headquarters.

If you don't want to receive it monthly, or if the journey is too long and inconvenient.

You can also request that the rent be accumulated and collected all at once after a period of time.

However, it cannot be entrusted to others, since there is no good way to verify identity these days. Taishan Airlines does not want to suffer such a loss in silence if someone fraudulently claims the money.

The tung oil merchants were very satisfied with this. Those from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas would come once a month, while those from the southwest would come every six months to collect their rent.

After the celebration, Shanghai newspapers reported on it, and even published mimeographed photos, including those of the celebration and snapshots of the moment when the Japanese spies were arrested.

However, the newspaper headline did not mention anything about the Japanese; it only vaguely stated that a group of people with ulterior motives were trying to cause sabotage in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, Taishan Airlines has resumed normal operations.

With the arrival of the Boeing 247, Fang Wen became busy again in order to open the two routes as soon as possible.

He assigned two important tasks to Taishan Airlines in the short term.

First, it was his own responsibility to thoroughly understand how to fly a Boeing 247, and then make several trips on the new routes to standardize the process from takeoff to landing for these two routes.

Pan Jiafeng mastered the standardized procedures for piloting a Boeing 80 from Shanghai to Fuyang in just two days.

This shows that standardized procedures can be replicated among flight apprentices with prior flying experience. Even if other trainees are less talented than Pan Jiafeng, they can still succeed with more effort and dedication.

Second, we need to determine flight routes and airports in both Jinan and Nanchang, lease land to build airports, and cultivate good local relationships.

Manager Sun and Fang Shouxin will each go to one side.

But the most important contributors to this effort were the key figures in the Nationalist government who received generous monthly dividends from their shares.

The dividends paid out in the past few months are enough to show that Taishan Airlines is a goldmine. When they learned about the route expansion plan, they had already proactively stated through a front that there was absolutely no need to worry about the airport matters in both locations.

Immediately, Manager Sun and Fang Shouxin set off.

At the same time, Fang Wen also began to explore the Boeing 247.

The Boeing 247 is an all-metal passenger aircraft that Boeing began developing in 1930.

This model was originally scheduled to have its public test flight early next year.

However, the generous terms offered by Fang Wen, coupled with Boeing's financial problems caused by the economic crisis in recent years, led them to agree to ship the two first-generation aircraft to Asia for sale.

Therefore, these two aircraft can be said to have been launched earlier than those in the United States.

To ensure the normal operation of the aircraft, as well as subsequent maintenance and data tracking records.

Boeing also sent an engineer named Kamsim Sims.

With this engineer who understood both flight and aircraft, Fang Wen's understanding of the Boeing 247 improved rapidly.

Boeing 247 data sheet

Crew members: three

Passenger capacity: 10 passengers

Length: 15.7 meters

Wingspan: 22.6 meters

Height: 3.8 meters

Wing area: 78 square meters

Empty weight: 4055 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 6190 kg
Engine: 2 Pratt & Whitney S1H1-G Wasp engines, 410 kW power
Maximum speed under load: 320 km/h
Cruise speed: 300 km/h
Flight range: 1200 kilometers
Upper limit of altitude: 7620 meters

In Fang Wen's opinion, it is the one that most resembles a modern passenger plane.

The aircraft has only one engine, yet it drives both propellers on the left and right sides simultaneously, mainly thanks to the radial technology employed in its engine.

The so-called radial direction means that a crankshaft is equipped with multiple cylinders, and the multiple cylinders work together to drive the crankshaft to perform reciprocating motion.

This design allows the engine to be more powerful.

The aircraft has an all-metal fuselage and a low-wing monoplane design, which is currently a popular feature. The entire fuselage has a streamlined appearance that conforms to aerodynamic principles.

At the same time, its landing gear is retractable.

As for the passenger capacity of 10, it's a bit low.

However, its actual takeoff load is 2 tons, far exceeding that of 10 passengers, leaving about 1.3 tons of cargo space.

This means that this is an aircraft with both passenger and cargo transport capabilities.

This perfectly meets the current huge demand for airmail and cargo.

After gaining a comprehensive understanding of the aircraft, Fang Wen began to attempt test flights.

He boarded the plane and scanned the interior.

Because of its streamlined fuselage, the aircraft's interior space appears narrower and longer compared to the Boeing 80.

There are only two rows of seats, five on each side, and there are windows with curtains next to the seats.

The cargo hold is at the back, and the driver's cab is at the front.

The boarding gate is located at the junction of the cargo hold and the passenger cabin, and there are two horizontal bars with the same threshold inside the passenger cabin.

After boarding the plane, passengers need to cross these two barriers to reach their seats.

Even Fang Wen had to cross these two barriers to get to the driver's seat.

This design is very uncomfortable, but there's nothing we can do about it.

Those two horizontal bars are the connecting and fixing devices for the left and right wings of the aircraft. Since the lower wing eliminates the external steel wire stabilization, an internal crossbeam must be added for fixation.

To ensure both a streamlined fuselage and stable wings, these two elements are essential.

Fang Wen walked through the aisle, crossed two horizontal bars, and sat down in the driver's seat.

There were more instruments and equipment in front of us than on the Shrike, mainly electrical control equipment.

Recalling the startup steps Kamsim Sims had described, Fang Wen started the equipment.

"Do you need me to demonstrate?" Kamsim Sims asked from behind.

"No need." As soon as the plane starts, Fang Wen enters mechanical perception mode and is already familiar with the functions of those devices.

He quickly got into pilot mode, skillfully operating the various devices and starting the aircraft.

As the plane accelerated down the runway, Kamsim Sims stopped recording.

Kamsim Sims was astonished. He had documented the operations of all the Boeing 247 test pilots and was very familiar with flying the Boeing 247.

But Fang Wen, who was in front of them, was only piloting for the first time. He had only learned the theory before, but he performed almost the same as the previous test pilots.

The plane was still accelerating, and Kamsin Sims exclaimed in panic:
"Mr. Fang, you can't start the takeoff operation now. We need to follow the procedures."

When the plane reached takeoff speed, Fang Wen slowed down and stopped: "Okay, let's take it one step at a time. We need to gradually understand the performance of this aircraft."

Subsequently, the two practiced repeatedly on the airport runway, and Kamsim Sims gradually became more confident in Fang Wen's skills.

He felt that with this highly talented pilot's mastery of the Boeing 247, takeoff training could begin.

Therefore, on the first day of flight training, the Boeing 247 took off from the runway and completed the flight from Shanghai to Fuyang.

With the Boeing 247's range and fuel capacity, a round trip from Shanghai to Fuyang can be completed in one day without refueling. However, of the two new routes, Shanghai to Nanchang can be completed without refueling, while Shanghai to Jinan cannot.

Fang Wen was wondering if it was possible to modify the Boeing 247 by adding fuel tanks to increase fuel capacity and achieve a longer range.

Although he could gain a full understanding of the internal structure of 247 through mechanical perception, he still wanted to hear the opinions of professionals.

So, after a day of flight training, Fang Wen took the initiative to suggest it.

"Kamsing, how about we grab a drink tonight? Paul and Howard can come too."

“Okay. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.” Kamsin agreed.

As evening fell, the group gathered at the tavern.

All those who came with Fang Wen this time were foreigners: Howard, the head of the Taishan Aviation Maintenance Department, and two mechanics from Boeing: Paul and Kamsim.

Paul is a mechanic for the Boeing 80, and Kamsin will also stay at Taishan Airlines as a mechanic for two Boeing 247s. The two already had dealings with each other at Boeing and can be considered acquaintances.

Howard and Paul have a good relationship, and Fang Wen can speak English and is also a company leader, so the gathering went very well.

While enjoying the Eastern-style food and drinks, Kamsin praised, "Mr. Fang, your flying talent is truly astonishing. And I also really like the food here."

Fang Wen and Kamsin shared a glass of baijiu and Fang Wen said, "Really? What do you think of the Boeing 247? Let's not use official language, this is a private conversation between us."

After a few drinks, Kamsin's words suddenly became meaningful.

“I can make a comparison so you’ll understand. Before the Boeing 247, the best commercial airliner was the Ford Trimotor, which we called the Canned Goose. It was a three-engine, all-metal-fuselage commercial transport aircraft, and more than a hundred were sold worldwide. But I can assure you that when the Boeing 247 was being sold, that was when the Ford Trimotor was being discontinued.”

Fang Wen nodded, recalling the young marshal's aircraft that he had seen at Nanjing Airport that day—a Ford tri-engine plane.

Howard asked, "Why?"

Kamsin explained proudly: "Our research shows that high-wing aircraft have a large carrying capacity, while low-wing aircraft have high stability. The former is more suitable for large transport aircraft and bombers, while the latter is the best choice for passenger aircraft. Our A247 has been compared with the Trimotor, and its comfort and stability are far superior to the Trimotor."

Fang Wen agreed with Kamsin's words, but he felt there was another important reason why the Boeing 247 defeated Trimotor.

That's because it's cheap.

It was precisely because of the price war that Ford did not continue to develop in the aircraft field and focused on its automobile business.

The conversation continued, and Fang Wen asked, "Kamsin, what do you think of the auxiliary fuel tank design?"

"A great design concept that can temporarily extend the range, making it suitable for military aircraft to perform long-distance special flight missions."

"Can I install an auxiliary fuel tank on the 247?"

"Theoretically, there is no problem. Our aircraft engines are highly stable and have undergone extremely long-term operational testing in the laboratory. However, the company does not approve of any modifications to the aircraft."

"Disagreement doesn't mean it's impossible, right?"

"Yes, if you succeed in the modification, no one will have any objections."

Kamsin subtly expressed his support for the reforms, but stated that he would not participate.

That's all you need.

Fang Wen decided to modify one of the Boeing 247s that flew from Shanghai to Jinan.

The reason for the transformation was not only for the commercial interests of Taishan Airlines, but also for Fang Wen's plan for the Wealthy Army Corps.

He has already drawn up a preliminary plan.

The modified Boeing 247 will then depart from Jinan and fly to Shenyang.

The voyage is a straight line, crossing the Bohai Bay, a distance of more than 750 kilometers.

Only a modified Boeing 247 can make the ultra-long round trip of 1500 kilometers to bring back the goods.

A month has passed.

The airports in Jinan and Nanchang have both received local approval.

Construction of the airport in Nanchang has begun.

There used to be an old-fashioned airport in Jinan, dating back to the Beiyang Government era. It was closed due to the Central Plains War and has never been put into use since.

It was leased by Taishan Airlines for their own use.

With the airport in place, Fang Wen flew his plane back and forth between Shanghai and Jinan several times, and standardized the entire flight process, from takeoff, heading determination, flight speed, and landing.

Subsequently, Pan Jiafeng became the first pilot to operate under standardized procedures on the Shanghai-Jinan route. He strictly followed the procedures set by Fang Wen and easily completed the entire flight after a day of practice.

This also shows that Fang Wen's standardized flight time system is achievable.

Subsequently, the two outstanding flight apprentices completed 100 hours of biplane trainer flight training and, after further training, took over Pan Jiafeng's Shanghai-Fuyang flight.

At this point, the first flight pilot for Taishan Airlines had been taken over by two graduated flight apprentices, and Fang Wen no longer needed to fly himself.

He is currently overseeing the launch of a new flight route from Shanghai to Jinan while also preparing to implement the "Wealthy Army" plan.

September, 1932

After Jinan Airport completed its renovations and made two round trips, Fang Wen confirmed that it was ready to resume operations.

A new round of cabin crew recruitment has begun.

For flights from Shanghai to Fuyang, since there are two shifts of pilots, an additional flight attendant for security and another for service are added.

The flight from Shanghai to Jinan also operates on a two-shift system and requires four flight attendants.

The Shanghai-Nanchang route, which will be launched soon, will also follow the same system.

Therefore, 10 more cabin crew members will be recruited this time.

People from the eight major families, those introduced by the Fang family of Jiaxing, and fellow disciples of Fang Shouxin from the north who came to join them are all signing up to compete.

The competition was fierce, but in the end, people from all three parties were selected, which can be considered a happy ending for all.

Subsequently, these individuals will receive training from Sun Debiao and Xie Yuwen, who will teach them some ways of working on an airplane.

After the training is completed, these people will take turns to work, and the Shanghai-Jinan flight will officially begin operation.

During this rare break, Fang Wen took a moment to relax and gathered his inner circle for a get-together.

This time, instead of going to the pub, we went to his house.

In the small courtyard, there was a large table and eight people.

Sun Debiao, Manager Liu, Shao Sishen, Howard, Fang Shouxin, Fang Shun, Pan Jiafeng
There's also Fang Wen.

He looked at the seven people and said:

"I've called you all here today because there's something I want to discuss. Before that, I'd like to ask you all, are you people I can trust?"

For some people, this is a sentence they have been looking forward to for a long time.

Sun Debiao and Manager Liu exchanged glances and set an example for each other.

Manager Liu took out a booklet: "I am Liu Qiufu. When I was a child, I followed my family to Northeast China. I worked my way up from a shop assistant to a manager. Originally, I had nothing to gain in my life. But at Taishan Airlines, I feel like I've been given a second chance. This is my pledge of allegiance. If the general manager accepts it, he will be my boss from now on."

Fang Wen took the booklet and opened it. Inside were records of some of the things Manager Liu had done in Northeast China. Some were ordered to be done by his master, and some were for his own profit. In any case, they were all shady things. This was Manager Liu voluntarily handing over his secrets to Fang Wen, which also represented his break with his former master.

Sun Debiao remained silent and also took out a booklet.

But when he handed it over, he clearly hesitated for a moment, but in the end he made up his mind and handed it to Fang Wen.

"Don't be scared after you see my pledge of allegiance, my lord. I, Sun Debiao, am now your man. I will turn over a new leaf and start anew."

(End of this chapter)