American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 283 The plane has arrived! Takeoff!
He readily admitted, "Yes, and the terms he offered were indeed so generous that no one could refuse them."

Then, he simply and casually recounted Daniel Hansen's grand vision of nationality, the F-22, and family security.

Even though they had complete faith in him, they couldn't help but gasp after hearing his promise, which included honor, top-of-the-line fighter jets, and lifelong support.

It was indeed a broad road leading to the pinnacle in the secular sense, radiant and enough to make any man's blood boil.

The atmosphere in the restaurant instantly became somewhat stagnant.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, but it couldn't dispel the invisible pressure in the air.

Emily's hand unconsciously touched her abdomen, her voice trembling slightly without her even realizing it: "So... what's your decision?"

Arya held her breath, her heart pounding in her throat. They were afraid to hear the answer they didn't want, and even more afraid to see the slightest hint of regret or struggle on his face.

"I refused."

Lin Yu'an's answer was only three words, crisp and decisive, like a sharp sword cutting through all the fog.

Emily's clenched knuckles instantly loosened, and Arya's heart, which had been pounding in her chest, finally settled back down.

Lin Yu'an looked at the light that flashed in their eyes, and her gaze became incredibly gentle yet firm.

He continued speaking, as if he wanted to engrave his deepest beliefs into their lives, word by word.

“I told him that my sky is not within the territory of any country’s army.”

His gaze swept over Arya and Emily's faces in turn, and he said solemnly, "I learned to fly and did my best to master it, not to conquer anyone, nor to serve anyone."

"I just want to be able to take the most important people in my life with me anytime, anywhere, to go wherever we want to go and see any scenery we want to see."

Finally, his gaze settled on their clasped hands, and he uttered his final vow: "My dearest Arya, Emily. My sky belongs only to you."

These words, like a warm torrent, instantly shattered the last shred of rationality they had built in their hearts.

Arya felt a sense of relief as if all her burdens had been lifted. Emily also took a deep breath and gently placed her other hand on the back of Lin Yu'an's hand, everything understood without words.

In this warm and touching atmosphere, the screen of Lin Yu'an's phone, which had been on silent and placed next to the dining table, suddenly lit up.

It was an encrypted email from Brian Lord.

Lin Yu'an raised an eyebrow slightly, gestured to the two of them, and then opened the email. The email's content was concise and domineering, full of Brian's unique style.

"Lin, your plane has arrived. —BL"

Attached to the bottom of the email are a video file and a PDF document.

"The plane has arrived?" Arya leaned closer curiously, resting her head on his shoulder. "He...he really delivered it?"

Lin Yu'an clicked on the video.

The video begins in a huge, bright, and so clean that it reflects light, modern hangar.

The camera slowly pans past rows of white private jets like Gulfstream and Bombardier, finally settling on the massive, brightly colored aircraft in the center of the hangar, resembling a sunbird.

That was a De Havilland Beaver DHC-2.

But it was unlike any beaver that Lin Yu-an had seen in the documents.

(Original version)
Its fuselage was painted in a striking bright yellow, like the autumn birch forests of Alaska, full of vitality and the call of the wilderness.

A broad, flame-like red stripe extends from the nose to the tail, outlining incredibly smooth and dynamic lines.

On the nose section, the red and yellow paint scheme is cleverly integrated to form a powerful V-shaped pattern.

This plane is destined to be the absolute focus of attention wherever it is parked.

The camera slowly pans to the nose of the engine. The huge, round cowling that once belonged to the piston engine has long since disappeared.

Instead, a longer and more streamlined Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engine was installed.

The sharp, silver propeller fairing, like the beak of a raptor, exudes aggression. The five-bladed composite propeller gleams with the unique, deep luster of carbon fiber under the lights.

The camera continued to move, showing its details. Instead of traditional wheeled landing gear, it stood steadily on a pair of silver-gray Wipaire 3450 amphibious floats.

The front of the pontoon clearly shows the wheels stored inside, which means it can land on both water and runways, making it a true all-terrain aircraft!
The video then zoomed in on the cockpit.

The hatch opens, revealing a completely different interior: instead of the old-fashioned mechanical instrument panel, it is occupied by a massive Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit system, resembling a fighter jet cockpit.

The screen displays complex virtual terrain and flight data, while the seats are hand-stitched by the top Italian brand Poltrona Frau using the finest Alcantara fabric.

Luxurious, powerful, and striking. This is not just an airplane; it is a flying, vibrant work of art.

“My God…” Arya couldn’t help but exclaim, covering her mouth with her hand, “This is so beautiful! It looks like a bumblebee!”

Lin Yu'an didn't speak; he opened the PDF document. Emily also moved closer to him and read it together.

The gift contract clearly states that this is a DHC-2T Turbine Beaver aircraft with registration number N777LA.

This gift, presented free of charge by Brian Lord in his personal capacity, is a recognition of Mr. Lin Yu'an's outstanding talent and a cornerstone for future collaboration.

Another agreement shows that Brian has prepaid for a full year's use of a top-of-the-line temperature-controlled hangar at Fairbanks International Airport's private jet operations base, which includes private lounges and maintenance rooms.

Lin Yu'an quickly estimated the value of the gift in his mind.

A basic DHC-2 Beaver: approximately $50.

Upgrading to a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbocharged engine and related systems: approximately US$80 to US$100.

Top-of-the-line Wipaire amphibious pontoons: approximately $20.

Top-of-the-line Garmin avionics system and luxurious interior: approximately $40 to $50.

One-year usage rights to a top-tier Fairbanks hangar and related services: approximately US$10 to US$15.

The total value easily exceeds three million US dollars!
Brian not only gave it, but he gave an absolutely amazing gift that far exceeded his expectations—a gift that was both impressive and substantial!

“This guy…” A knowing smile appeared on Lin Yu’an’s lips. He knew this was more than just a congratulatory gift.

This is Brian's way of showing him CAA's amazing strength and absolute sincerity.

At the same time, he was telling Lin Yu'an that his divine message was very valuable, and his generosity was also beyond Lin Yu'an's imagination.

“So…” Arya’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, “Darling, can we fly to our new home now?”

Lin Yu'an smiled and said, "Darling, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a little longer."

"Why?" Arya asked, puzzled. "Didn't you already get your driver's license?"

This question also drew a curious glance from Emily, who was standing nearby.

Lin Yu'an put down his knife and fork. "Getting the PPL is just getting a learning permit. It proves that I know how to fly an airplane safely."

"But what we are about to face is an epic route that stretches two thousand miles, crossing countless mountains and borders. To complete this migration, at least four problems need to be solved."

"I train on Hank's Cessna 185, which is a typical tricycle aircraft. Hank has given me a tricycle endorsement, which qualifies me to fly the Beaver."

"However, the turbo beaver's engine had more than 600 horsepower, far exceeding the FAA's standard of 200 horsepower."

"Therefore, I need to get another high-performance aircraft endorsement, which requires me to undergo specialized conversion training on the Turbo Beaver under Hank's supervision to prove that I can fully handle its powerful engine."

“And then there’s the most crucial, and also the most time-consuming, step.” His tone became extremely solemn. “PPL only allows me to fly under visual flight rules.”

"In other words, the weather has to be good enough that I can clearly see the horizon and the ground. But it's impossible to have clear skies all the time on a flight route of thousands of kilometers from Alaska to Wyoming."

“We will definitely encounter cloud cover, precipitation, and reduced visibility. Without instrument ratings, I would be blind once I enter the clouds, which is illegal and extremely dangerous.”

"Only with an IR can I fly safely in the clouds or in bad weather, relying entirely on the instruments in the cockpit under the Instrument Flight Rules. It can be said that without an IR, there is no true freedom to fly in all weather conditions."

He looked at his two loved ones and continued to explain the hard requirements for obtaining IR certification: "I need to accumulate at least 50 hours of solo transfer flight experience and complete 40 hours of instrument flight training, which requires at least several weeks of high-intensity flight and study."

"Then there's the cross-border flight procedure; our route must cross Canadian airspace."

"This means that for every flight, we must submit detailed electronic flight plans and passenger information to the customs and border control authorities of both the United States and Canada in advance."

"Furthermore, we need to choose a designated airport for entry within Canada to land and go through customs. This process, while not difficult, is very tedious, and I must study it thoroughly to ensure everything goes smoothly."

He looked at them, his eyes filled with a sense of responsibility: "Licenses and visas are just qualifications on paper. True confidence comes from absolute familiarity with the aircraft and the routes."

"I need to spend enough time piloting that Beaver on multiple long-haul flights over Alaska. I need to figure out its temperament under different loads and different weather conditions."

"I want to make sure that when I'm carrying you, carrying our hopes for the future, every action I take comes from honed muscle memory, not from theory in books." "Therefore, the next month will be the most crucial period for accumulating experience in my flying career."

"I will get the instrument rating as quickly as possible, and then take enough time to develop an absolute understanding with my new partner, the Turbo Beaver."

His eyes sparkled with boundless anticipation for the future. "Only then will I truly be able to stand independently, sit in the captain's seat of that plane, and say to my family..."

"Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen. Our destination is our kingdom!"

After hearing this detailed plan, Arya and Emily felt completely at ease.

They knew that the man before them would never be blinded by victory. He understood better than anyone that there were no shortcuts to safety. Every step had to be taken firmly and steadily.

Emily smiled and picked up the juice from the table. "Then let's look forward to that day together."

"To our future captain!" Arya also raised her glass with a smile.

"To our kingdom!" Lin Yu'an gently clinked her cup against theirs.

Outside the window, the sunlight after the polar night is growing brighter and brighter.

And their future, like this land that is awakening, is full of infinite possibilities and hope.

The celebratory champagne bubbles hadn't completely dissipated, and the grand blueprint for the future kingdom remained on the tablet.

But a new and more urgent responsibility has quietly descended across hundreds of kilometers of ice field.

The next morning.

As dawn broke, Lin Yu'an bid farewell to his family, who were still asleep.

Emily vaguely felt him place a light kiss on her lips, and then she heard the sound of the downstairs door opening and closing softly.

Lin Yu'an drove his familiar Ford F-150 pickup truck onto the icy Dalton Highway.

Destination – Fairbanks.

The turbo beaver, like a sunbird, quietly awaited its owner.

This was his first truly independent flight since getting his pilot's license. There was no Hank with him, and no instructor to supervise him.

This was not training, but a mission flight with a clear purpose. He was alone, with only the vast, familiar yet unfamiliar Alaskan sky.

After a whirlwind drive, by the time Lin Yu-an arrived at his private FBO (Fixed Operating Base) at Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), it was already broad daylight.

After showing his identification and his brand-new pilot's license, a well-dressed ground manager named Catherine led him to the top-of-the-line temperature-controlled hangar reserved for the "N777LA".

"Good morning, Mr. Lin." Catherine handed him a document.

"Your aircraft was refueled with Jet A fuel last night as you requested, and the ground crew has completed the routine pre-flight checks. Here is the check report."

Lin Yu-an's DHC-2 Beaver is not the original model, but a meticulously modified turbo version.

It used a more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine, replacing the original Pratt & Whitney R-985 piston engine.

The performance improvement brought about by this change is revolutionary.

The factory Beaver is equipped with a 450-horsepower piston engine, and its cruising speed usually hovers around 120 knots (about 220 km/h).

Now, this 680 shaft horsepower PT6A turbocharged engine is not only lighter, but also more powerful.

It easily pushed the Beaver's cruising speed to over 150 knots (approximately 278 km/h).

This means that he can save nearly half an hour compared to flying the original aircraft for the 265 nautical mile journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage.

But it’s not just about speed; the turbocharged engine’s climb rate far exceeds that of the piston engine, giving him a greater safety margin when navigating the rugged mountains of Alaska.

It has a shorter takeoff run and can take off and land on more challenging and shorter makeshift runways.

More importantly, the reliability of turbocharged engines is far superior to that of complex radial piston engines, and this reliability is priceless when flying over uninhabited areas.

For this reason, it switched from traditional aviation gasoline (Avgas) to Jet A aviation fuel.

The technical specifications of this fuel are extremely stringent, with a freezing point controlled at -40 degrees Celsius and a flash point above 38 degrees Celsius, ensuring the absolute safety of the aircraft flying in any harsh environment.

Unlike large jet aircraft with fuel tanks weighing tens of thousands of pounds, the Beaver, even with the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks for long-range flights, has a total fuel capacity of only about 140 gallons.

At recent market prices of over $6 per gallon, filling up the tank last night cost close to $1000.

Lin Yu'an took the report, glanced at the signature, and casually asked, "How are the flight path and weather today? How long is it estimated to take to reach Anchorage?"

“The weather is clear and the tailwind conditions are ideal,” Catherine replied immediately, clearly having prepared all the information beforehand.

"The flight distance from Fairbanks to Anchorage is 265 nautical miles. At your aircraft's cruising speed of 150 knots, we estimate the flight time to be one hour and forty-five minutes."

"Including ground taxiing and takeoff and landing procedures, it will take no more than two hours from now until we land in Anchorage."

“Very good.” He closed the report, his voice steady and decisive. “I’ll make the final preparations and we’ll depart in half an hour.”

The massive electric gate slowly rose, revealing the brightly colored behemoth inside, bathed in soft light.

Lin Yu'an stepped forward and gently stroked its cold, smooth fuselage. It was no longer just a video on a screen, but his partner, the wings that allowed him to conquer this land and sky!

Instead of boarding, he put his backpack and documents aside and began a thorough inspection of the aircraft.

Like a seasoned mechanic, he inspected every rivet, every control surface, from the tire pressure of the amphibious pontoons to the intricate turbine blades of the turbofan engine.

They even took oil samples and carefully examined them under sunlight to ensure the fuel was pure and free of impurities. The entire process lasted nearly half an hour.

Despite the perfect test results, he knew that it was better for him to take responsibility for his own life.

He then boarded the luxurious cockpit filled with the scents of Alcantara and leather, securing himself firmly in the hand-stitched Poltrona Frau seat.

He skillfully activated the avionics system, and the massive Garmin G1000 NXi dual screens lit up in sequence, displaying complex flight data.

The next ten minutes were for him to plan the flight route and prepare for the flight.

His destination was Anchorage's Merrill Airfield (PAMR), an airport closer to the city center that primarily serves general aviation aircraft.

The avionics system was connected to the FAA's weather data service. Real-time weather radar images, satellite cloud images, and "routine aviation weather reports" and "airport weather forecasts" for each airport along the route were clearly displayed on the screen.

"The weather was good, and we monitored the weather conditions throughout. There were only some warnings of high-altitude turbulence near the passes in the Alaskan Mountains," he muttered to himself, knowing exactly what was going on.

Then, he began setting up his flight plan on the GPS map.

He did not choose the most direct, straight route, which would have allowed him to fly over most of the no-fly and restricted-fly zones over Denali National Park.

Instead, a safer and more magnificent visual flight corridor was planned, flying along the visual reference points of the George Parks Highway, turning over the town of Targettna, and finally entering Anchorage's controlled airspace from the west.

He set the cruising altitude to 9500 feet for better fuel efficiency and a wider field of vision. The system automatically calculated the estimated flight time, fuel consumption, and alternate airport information.

Finally, he submitted the complete VFR flight plan electronically to the FAA through a professional flight app called ForeFlight.

This is not a mandatory requirement, but it reflects a professional pilot's good flying habits. It allows air traffic controllers to know his intentions in advance and provide him with flight tracking services when necessary.

After doing all this, he put on the Bose A20 aviation headphones with active noise cancellation and pressed the start button.

The Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbocharged engine emitted a unique hissing sound, like that of a jet engine.

The five-bladed propeller began to spin slowly, then gradually accelerated, eventually becoming a blur that was indistinguishable to the naked eye, creating a strong gust of air that made the windproof cones at the hangar entrance flutter loudly.

He put on sunglasses and began communicating with ground control in clear, standard aviation English.

“Fairbanks Ground, Turbo Beaver N777LA, at Signature FBO apron, requesting taxiing, visual flight to Anchorage.”

"N777LA, Fairbanks ground control. Proceed to runway 20L, use taxiway A, and climb south after takeoff."

"N777LA received. Taxi to runway 20L, use taxiway A, and head south after takeoff."

After a smooth air-to-ground communication session, Lin Yu'an piloted the behemoth smoothly onto the runway.

His destination was Anchorage.

Just last night, after receiving the email, he also received a phone call that kept him awake at night—a call for help from another member of his family.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(Hehe, guess what I'm asking for help with? Also, I'd like to ask for a few more monthly votes!)
(End of this chapter)