Legendary Captain

Chapter 232 Signs of the Plane Disintegrating (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

"Neither the heading nor the glide slope pointers on my instruments are responding." Xu Xian tried to distinguish the heading and glide slope pointers on the backup instruments again. After confirming that there was no response, his eyelids twitched involuntarily: "Should I circle in place for now?"

"Okay!" Chen Yuan gritted his teeth. "I'll ask the airport."

Originally, once Xu Xian successfully intercepted the waypoint, he could hand over the command to Rongcheng Airport, but now that such a huge mess has occurred, he can't let go.

After Chen Yuan had Xu Xian start circling, he quickly sent his assistant to inquire whether the instrument landing system at the airport was functioning properly.

While waiting, Chen Yuan remembered something: "Xu Xian, do you think it's possible to have airport control guide you onto the ground? I've heard that some helicopters and temporary airfields are used this way. It doesn't matter if the aircraft has the corresponding electronic equipment, as long as there is a radio to maintain continuous communication with airport controllers, you can proceed with the approach."

Xu Xian's mind raced, and he recalled a landing guidance system: "You mean a ground control approach system?"

"If you ask me for the specific name, to be honest, I don't know either. This thing is very rare in standardized large-scale civil aviation operations. I've only heard of it; I've never actually seen one. Isn't this what you mean by not being able to receive the instrument landing signal?"

In fact, Xu Xian and Chen Yuan roughly felt that the problem wasn't with the airport's instrument landing system, but with the aircraft itself. The aircraft has its own system to receive the instrument landing signal and reflect it on the instruments; if there's a problem with this system, even if there's an instrument landing signal, there won't be any indication on the cockpit instruments.

Xu Xian's premonition was the most obvious. It wasn't that Xu Xian lacked confidence in his aircraft, but rather that the series of malfunctions that occurred after crossing the thunderstorm area indicated that although the aircraft hadn't disintegrated, it had still suffered significant damage. The entire instrument landing system had malfunctioned, which didn't surprise Xu Xian at all.

Of course, if the plane is still standing and there's no problem, then it's definitely a problem with Chengdu Airport itself, which would be good news.

Because both sides assumed that there was a problem with the aircraft, Chen Yuan came up with the idea of ​​a ground control approach system that could operate independently of the aircraft equipment, based on this premise.

As Chen Yuan said, he really didn't know the official name of this landing guidance system, because it was extremely rare in normal operation and was only used in specific environments.

This landing guidance system actually has many drawbacks. For example, the pilot is very passive during the process and needs to absolutely obey the controller's instructions. The controller's command pressure is relatively high, and the efficiency is not high.

However, while this system has numerous drawbacks, it possesses one advantage that completely distinguishes it from other landing guidance systems: it places very low demands on the aircraft and crew. Pilots simply follow the controller's instructions, flying exactly as instructed, with minimal operational difficulty.

Even if some of Xu Xian's flight data sources were problematic, it only increased the difficulty of operation to a certain extent, but it was by no means completely uncontrollable.

Chen Yuan made this suggestion because he valued the advantage of the ground-controlled approach system, which does not rely on additional electronic equipment.

Chen Yuan only had a superficial understanding of this ground control access system, but it was a different story for Xu Xian.

Xu Xian knew some information about ground control systems, and he did not think Chen Yuan's method was feasible.

"As far as I know, Chengdu Airport is not equipped with sophisticated radar," Xu Xian said.

Ground control systems for airports require a combination of airport surveillance radar and precision acquisition radar. Airport surveillance radar is standard equipment for most large airports, and Chengdu Airport likely has it. However, the availability of precision acquisition radar is not always guaranteed.

The precision-guided radar is a three-coordinate radar with two scanning antennas, providing information on the aircraft's distance, direction, and altitude. Controllers primarily use this radar information to guide aircraft and correct deviations. However, this landing guidance system is no longer suitable for high-speed aircraft and is rarely used in civil aviation today.

Regardless of whether the landing guidance system is suitable for its current situation, the key issue is that Chengdu Airport may not have a sophisticated radar system, which makes the difference between having one and not having one.

Chen Yuan paused for a moment, clearly unwilling to give up: "How about I go ask about Rongcheng Airport?"

"No need!" Xu Xian directly rejected Chen Yuan's suggestion: "This ground control approach system will ultimately need to be connected to visual landing. I can't handle visual landing."

Xu Xian is currently unable to see the runway and is now attempting a visual landing. He needs a guidance system to guide him to a sufficiently low altitude, such as during the leveling phase.

However, it is clear that ground-based access control systems are incapable of meeting this requirement.

Of course, if things really come to a point where there's no other way, Xu Xian won't have any other options. Even if he can't see the track, he'll have to grit his teeth and go down. However, it hasn't come to that point yet, and Xu Xian isn't willing to risk his life like that.

Chen Yuan was taken aback: "You can't watch the runway?"

What does "visual landing, I can't do it" mean?

Xu Xianzhen didn't know how to answer the question, "This...this."

Just as Xu Xian was in a predicament, his assistant at the air traffic control center reported that the airport had rechecked the instrument landing system and there was indeed no problem.

Hearing that the airport equipment was fine, even though he had made some preparations, Xu Xian was still somewhat disappointed.

At this point, both Chen Yuan and Xu Xian seemed to have run out of ideas.

"Now... what do we do?" Chen Yuan asked a crucial question: "Should we go down?"

Xu Xian stared at the unmoving heading and glide path needles on the backup instrument panel, lost in deep thought.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and Xu Xian asked, "Does Rongcheng Airport have a microwave landing system?"

"Microwave landing system?" Chen Yuan froze, his gaze slowly shifting to his assistant. The assistant shook his head repeatedly: "No, absolutely not. Very few airports in China use microwave landing systems."

Instrument landing systems have been in use for decades since their introduction, and even with numerous upgrades, they still contain many intractable shortcomings.

Because of some insurmountable shortcomings of instrument landing systems, microwave landing systems were developed.

However, the world has already invested too much in equipment costs for instrument landing systems over the years, and it is impossible to complete a large-scale replacement in a short period of time, otherwise the invested funds would be wasted.

Moreover, some of the shortcomings of the instrument landing system are not unacceptable and do not require immediate replacement.

Furthermore, if a microwave landing system is installed, the aircraft itself will also need to be upgraded, adding to the expenditure and thus increasing the cost of its widespread adoption.

Therefore, the use of microwave landing systems in China is still quite limited.

"Currently, only two hub airports in China have clearly announced plans to switch to microwave landing systems. Apart from that, other airports, including Chengdu Airport, have no plans to use microwave landing systems for the time being," the assistant explained. "At present, the only airports in China that use microwave landing systems are private airports. After all, microwave landing systems have higher precision and stronger anti-interference capabilities. Since those private airports have already built them, they obviously have the money."

"A private airport?" Chen Yuan suddenly asked. "What about Xianchi Airport?"

"Yes, Hamchi Airport is one of the most luxurious private airports in the entire Southwest region. It has all kinds of facilities, and it must have a microwave landing system too."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up: "You modified your plane?"

It's not enough for an airport to have a microwave landing system; the aircraft also needs to be modified accordingly, otherwise it's all for nothing.

However, since Xu Xianneng made this suggestion, it must not have been without reason.

"It's changed! Both Hanjing and Shanghai-Shanghai airports have already put the replacement of their systems with microwave landing systems on the agenda, so we definitely need to follow suit," Xu Xian said.

Hanjing Airport and Shanghai Airport are the two airports with the highest passenger volume in China. In the near future, they will both use microwave landing systems, and airlines will definitely follow suit unless they are willing to give up these two airports.

Microwave landing systems are superior to instrument landing systems not only in terms of accuracy and interference resistance, but also in their greater complexity, increasing air traffic control capacity. This is crucial for both hub airports.

Even though microwave landing systems are still in their early stages, they are inevitable. Airlines have certainly begun to modify and train their fleets to varying degrees.

Even if you don't need it right now, you absolutely cannot wait until you need it to procure it at the last minute. Taking precautions is a consistent rule of conduct for airlines.

"It's changed!" Chen Yuan almost jumped up: "Didn't we provide you with two alternate airports before? One is Rongcheng Airport, but that airport is unreliable. The other is a private airport called Xianchi Airport, which seems to be equipped with a microwave landing system."

Originally, it was just a last resort, but unexpectedly, it actually worked out.

"Please contact them over there; I'm making an emergency landing there."

Chen Yuan was overjoyed and quickly turned to his assistant, only to see the assistant's gloomy face. His smile immediately vanished: "What's wrong?"

"Sir, when you asked me to contact the alternate airport beforehand, I also contacted Hamchi Airport in advance. They refused to accept the plane outright."

Chen Yuan's eyelids twitched: "Reason?"

"What reason is needed? They are a private airport and have no obligation to provide diversion services."

Airports like Chengdu Airport, which are state-controlled, have the characteristics of public service. Under normal circumstances, they will not refuse to accept aircraft in emergency situations unless absolutely necessary.

Just now, Chengdu Airport had only refused to accept Xingyou 6333 after considering various unfavorable conditions and bearing immense pressure. However, after Lian Shanxue stepped forward to replace Xu Xian, the airport immediately agreed to accept it.

Therefore, except under extreme conditions, airports under state control and management tend to cooperate with emergency landings.

However, private airports don't have this obligation. They don't even need to give a reason. This is different from the previous situation where Chengdu Airport refused to accept them.

You can give a million reasons for accepting an emergency landing, but they can choose not to listen and bear no responsibility. Because it wasn't their responsibility to begin with.

"What can we do?" Chen Yuan was truly at a loss. He contacted Xu Xiandao, "Give me ten minutes to coordinate with Xianchi Airport. I'm not sure if I can handle it. They're refusing to accept us right now. Xianchi Airport is a private airport; we can't force them."

"Okay! If we can't reach an agreement within ten minutes, I'll force my way to Chengdu Airport."

Ten minutes is the maximum time limit; any longer and everyone on the plane will be poisoned.

The plane is still too high in altitude and the outside temperature is too low. Xu Xian cannot open the side window, otherwise the already weak people in the cabin will freeze to death.

Moreover, the plane is currently traveling at a relatively high speed, so to be honest, it's not always possible to open the side window.

He would only try to open the side window after the plane descended and its speed decreased.

Just as Xu Xian was pondering, he heard a loud bang. Startled, he looked back in the direction of the sound.

The loud noise came from the right rear. At first glance, Xu Xian thought that the engine, which had already been shut down, had encountered some additional problem, so his instinct was to check the engine.

But when he actually looked behind him, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The skin on the right wing has been lifted up!

The conference room inside the Xingyou Aviation Operations Control Center.

"Still no contact with the crew?" Wen Jingshu was furious when she heard that the operations control center had lost communication with the crew. She had even attended the first test of that emergency communication system. But when the time came, it turned out to be useless.

AOC Director Wei Zhibin looked somewhat embarrassed: "Chairman, we are already looking for the source of the malfunction in this emergency communication system."

"The people on the plane are in imminent danger, and you're wasting your time on some crappy system. You're a bunch of useless people." Wen Jingshu's gaze suddenly shifted to Ning Sheng, who was sitting at the end of the table. At that moment, Ning Sheng was talking to a staff member who had just come in.

Wen Jingshu asked, "What new developments?"

Ning Sheng quickly stood up: "Chairman, I just received a call from the Rongcheng Air Traffic Control Center. It seems the instrument landing system on the plane is malfunctioning and cannot receive the instrument landing signal from Rongcheng Airport. The crew suggested using a microwave landing system as an alternative, but the only nearby airport with a microwave landing system is Xianchi Airport. However, that airport refuses to accept our plane."

"By the way, Hamchi Airport is a private airport and has no obligation to receive our plane," Ning Sheng added.

"I know!" How could Wen Jingshu not know that Xianchi Airport was a private airport? It was practically the private airport used exclusively by the Wen Group, where a large number of private jets belonging to the group's top executives were parked. Wen Jingshu herself owned one. "You're saying they refused to accept our plane?"

"That's right! The Chengdu air traffic control has already contacted us once, and they refused outright. We just applied to Hamchi Airport on behalf of the company to cooperate in receiving our plane, but they still refused."

Wen Jingshu's eyes flickered slightly: "Alright, I understand."

After saying that, he actually turned off the video feed.

Ning Sheng was stunned: "That's it? What happened?"

The video conference convened by Wen Jingshu came and went in a hurry. Before Ning Sheng could even figure out what was going on, Wen Jingshu ended the meeting without warning.

Some leaders who vaguely guessed what was going on told Ning Sheng to calm down, while only Marketing Director Li Chuan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

After turning off the video feed, Wen Jingshu asked Yang Ning, who was standing next to her, "Aunt Ning, is Xianchi Airport a group-owned property?"

To be honest, although Wen Jingshu is the chairman of the group, the Wen Group has spread too thin. Apart from some core industries, she has neither the energy nor the interest to learn more about the other peripheral industries.

Yang Ning was clearly a competent assistant. He readily provided information that Wen Jingshu was unaware of: "Hamchi Airport is indeed a group-owned property."

Wen Jingshu raised her eyebrows: "Then quickly notify them to cooperate in receiving Star Travel 6333."

"Miss, this matter is rather complicated, and I'm afraid it won't be easy to handle," Yang Ning said with some difficulty.

"Is there anywhere in the group where my word doesn't carry weight?" Wen Jingshu was astonished. Since it was a group enterprise, how could she, as the chairman, not have the authority to give orders?

"It's like this, Miss," Yang Ning quickly explained, "The jurisdiction of Hamchi Airport lies with the Hamchi Airport Group, and the major shareholder of the Hamchi Airport Group is Hamchi Airport Construction Co., Ltd., which is wholly owned by the Wen's Foundation. In other words, the real decision-makers at Hamchi Airport are the Wen's Foundation, located in the next room."

"You mean Second Uncle?" Wen Jingshu frowned.

Wen Jingshu's second uncle, Wen Ningyuan, is not only a director of the group's board of directors, but also serves as the chairman of the Wen's Foundation. Wen Ningyuan has the final say in the entire Wen's Foundation.

The Wens Foundation was established specifically for the group's senior executives. It is primarily funded by special grants from the group to construct facilities serving these executives.

For example, there are sanatoriums exclusively for executives, villa areas for business trips to various places, and private airports, such as Hamchi Airport.

Hamchi Airport also supplies some other wealthy individuals, charging a service fee. However, most of its customers come from its own group.

The Wens Foundation regularly submits proposals to the group for the construction of new facilities. After the group approves the proposals, it allocates special funds for the foundation to construct the facilities.

Hamchi Airport is one of the projects undertaken by the Wen Foundation, for which they even registered a Hamchi Airport Construction Company Limited.

Wen Jingshu raised her eyelids slightly: "Have they left?"

"Not yet. The Kunyang Airport case is of great importance. They finally managed to get together and are still discussing it. When I arrived, none of them had left. Even after I told them the meeting was over, it seemed like no one intended to leave."

"That's good!" Wen Jingshu stood up. "Tell Xingyou that air traffic control can direct Xu Xian to fly towards Xianchi first. I'll handle my second uncle's matter."

"Miss, the Second Master..." This matter was actually more like a family affair, and Xianchi Airport was involved in some of the Second Master Wen's shady dealings. Wen Jingshu didn't know, but Yang Ning did.

If Wen Ningyuan couldn't reveal certain crucial matters, Wen Jingshu might not be able to truly persuade him. After all, Wen Ningyuan was Wen Jingshu's elder, and the pressure from his seniority was indeed thorny.

"It's alright!" Wen Jingshu waved her hand: "Just tell Xingyou that, and Xianchi Airport will definitely be open to Xu Xian and the others."

It was all over in just one or two chapters; I didn't expect to write this much. I could have written more, but something came up, so this is all I can do.

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(End of this chapter)