Legendary Captain

Chapter 346 Snatching People

Training ground of the Third Division of the Western Air Force.

Twelve rookie pilots are undergoing their induction assessment, which today consists entirely of physical fitness tests. They've just finished a mixed five-item race, and after a short rest, they'll be running a five-kilometer run without equipment.

The so-called mixed pentathlon consists of 30 barbell presses, 30 sit-ups, 30 squats, 30 straight-knee jumps, and the last four sets of 25-meter shuttle runs.

For a newly enlisted recruit, completing this whole exercise would leave them completely exhausted. However, these rookie pilots have been undergoing intensive training for several months and are about to enter the core of tactical operations; they cannot be held to the same standards as fresh recruits. Therefore, after completing this mixed five-item exercise and taking a short rest, the next step is a five-kilometer bodyweight run.

The 5-kilometer run has a time limit; anyone taking more than 23 minutes will fail. Completing it within 19 minutes is considered excellent. A specialist will score the run based on the time taken. This score, combined with tomorrow's flight skills score, will determine the final assessment result. Passing will then be determined based on the score sheet.

Xu Xian, who had just finished the mixed five-item test, was already exhausted and mentally cursed the team leader, Li Cheng.

After the cleanup at Huining Airport was completed, Xu Xian finished his long-distance transfer training as planned, which was the last lesson in his pre-enlistment course. Theoretically, once he completed this lesson, he could participate in the enlistment assessment.

Passing the entry examination signifies that a pilot is capable of forming a certain level of combat capability with the unit, thus qualifying them as a true pilot. They will also be awarded a flight grade badge. Generally, domestic pilot grades are divided into three levels: Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, and Special Grade Pilot.

The pilot ranking system has been in place for many years, and it comprehensively evaluates pilots based on flight hours, tactical skills, safety performance, mission completion rate, and battlefield performance. Among these evaluation criteria, battlefield performance is undoubtedly the most valuable reference standard. Being able to shoot down enemy aircraft in actual combat is far more valuable than simply accumulating flight hours. However, in today's environment, actual combat opportunities are limited, so most pilots still have to accumulate experience and seniority.

The center of the pilot's rank badge will display the pilot's rank insignia and the numbers T, 1, 2, 3. T represents the highest rank, 1 represents the first rank, and so on. When the pilot is wearing dress uniform, the rank badge is positioned five millimeters above the qualification badge, centered, and there are specific requirements for its placement.

Once you obtain a Level 3 pilot's certification, there are far fewer restrictions on your missions. Otherwise, a novice pilot would face too many limitations, unable to fly this or that.

After completing the long-distance training, Xu Xian was called to the office by the battalion commander Li Cheng, who earnestly informed him that all of Xu Xian's training courses had been completed. He also mentioned that he had registered Xu Xian for the next round of team entrance examinations at the Third Division and told Xu Xian to prepare well.

Xu Xian instinctively asked when the assessment would be held, and Li Cheng happily replied that it would be in three days, making Xu Xian want to turn against Li Cheng on the spot.

In terms of piloting skills, Xu Xian was naturally not afraid; what he feared was the physical fitness test. Actually, Xu Xian's situation was quite rare. Many rookie pilots—no, almost all rookie pilots—worried about practical flight training during their induction tests, while being less concerned about the ground-based physical fitness test. Xu Xian, however, was the opposite.

This is mainly because the military adheres to the principle of "intensive ground training and precise aerial flight." Even though fighter pilots have had more and more flight training time in recent years, they still can't be allowed to train arbitrarily, since every time a fighter jet is in use, it's a huge financial drain!

With fewer opportunities to fly, there are also fewer chances to test one's abilities, which naturally leads to some uncertainty.

Ground-based physical training can be done whenever there's free time. Does the military not allow people to improve their physical fitness? Besides, physical fitness is a tangible thing; you either do it or you don't, and everyone knows that. But flight training is different. It's easily affected by mental state, and the weather conditions on the day of the assessment can also affect performance. Therefore, there are many uncontrollable factors. Unless one's skills are truly exceptional, no one can say they are 100% certain.

People with exceptional talent in flying, like Xu Xian, are few and far between.

However, fate is fair. Xu Xian is full of talent, but unfortunately, he is just too lazy. Even though he has changed a lot recently, he is still not confident about participating in the team entrance examination.

Xu Xian had originally planned to have some preparation time before taking the team entrance exam. During this period, he could have done some intensive physical training or even just cram at the last minute. But for some reason, Li Cheng had registered him for the team entrance exam three days later, a move that completely ruined Xu Xian's mental state.

Three days? What can you do in three days? Forget about intensive physical training. You should adjust your mindset and get your mental state more positive. That way, even if you fail the assessment, you won't be too depressed.

Xu Xian still vividly remembers a scene: Li Cheng patting Xu Xian's shoulder with a smile and saying, "The team entry assessment is very simple. Even if you lose a few points in the physical fitness assessment, you can get more points in the flight practice assessment with your skills. It's not a big problem."

Indeed, since it's all part of the pilot assessment, the practical flight test carries a higher weight in the overall score. Even if you lose points in the physical fitness test, you can easily make up for it if you perform well in the practical flight test.

However, the problem is that Xu Xian feels he won't just lose a few points in the physical fitness assessment, but a lot of points! If the physical fitness assessment sets too deep a hole, no matter how well he performs in the subsequent flight practice assessment, he won't be able to make up for it!

Xu Xian was going crazy. He really didn't understand why Li Cheng was so optimistic. But the report had already been submitted, so he had to go anyway. He might as well just go and test the waters.

Good heavens! This test only reinforced Xu Xian's belief that he truly couldn't do it! While others were slightly out of breath after completing the mixed five-item workout, he lay sprawled to the side like a dead dog. In fact, Xu Xian was already thankful he could even finish the mixed five-item workout.

Two people were standing outside the training ground: Wang Zhaoxin, the commander of the Third Division, and Che Youwei, the political commissar.

"I heard that Xu Xian is going to participate in this round of team recruitment assessments. Where is he?" Wang Zhaoxin squinted as he searched through the crowd. He hadn't seen Xu Xian in person yet. He had specifically brought Che Youwei along to check out Xu Xian after hearing that he was coming to their division headquarters for the assessment.

Che Youwei laughed and pointed at Xu Xian, who was half-paralyzed in the middle of the crowd: "Isn't that him? He's the only one in the whole team who's paralyzed, isn't he conspicuous?"

"No, it's just a minor physical exam, why such a big reaction?" Wang Zhaoxin said with a wry smile, "I heard that Xu Xian was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, pampered as a child, and a bit lazy, but this is too exaggerated. His physical exam results..."

"Just met the target!" Che Youwei laughed.

Wang Zhaoxin was immediately speechless: "Li Cheng should have been able to see that Xu Xian is a promising talent. Even if the training at Luohang Airlines is more relaxed, they can't just let him off the hook like this. They should at least keep Xu Xian on his toes! This is only the quintet, and he's already like this. What about the 5km bodyweight run, the 1500m swim, and the four 100m sprints?!"

Che Youwei was also surprised by Xu Xian's poor physical condition: "You told me before that Xu Xian was a carefree kid who absolutely refused to come here, and now I understand. Given his condition, how many points will he lose in the physical fitness assessment? It will be very difficult for him to catch up in the flight practice assessment. Everyone else makes sure to get high scores in the physical fitness assessment to make up for the shortcomings in the flight practice assessment. But this kid is the opposite. I've never seen anything like it before."

"I really..." Wang Zhaoxin was speechless for a long time: "What were Chen Zhan's physical fitness test scores again during his team entry assessment?"

"Everything met the excellent standard, including the flight practice, which was also rated as excellent. It's really amazing!" Che Youwei exclaimed.

Not long ago, Chen Zhan had passed the team's entrance examination and was awarded the Level 3 Pilot Certificate. His performance during the examination was impeccable, which Che Youwei remembered vividly.

Actually, if it weren't for his physical training holding him back, Xu Xian could have participated in the team entrance exam much faster. The main issue was that he spent a lot of time on physical training, which caused him to fall behind in completing his flight training. Even so, Xu Xian's performance in this physical fitness assessment was still appalling.

"It's true what they say, comparisons are odious!" Wang Zhaoxin slapped his forehead. "Actually, at this point, I would have preferred Xu Xian to perform worse later on. If he had performed exceptionally well in the flight practice later on, I would have hated him to death."

If someone lacks talent, Wang Zhaoxin doesn't care about their situation at all. But if someone truly possesses exceptional flying talent, yet is held back by their physical limitations, then Wang Zhaoxin finds it both a pity and infuriating!

"Just wait and see," Che Youwei laughed. Actually, Xu Xian's previous maneuvering to dodge missiles clearly demonstrated his unparalleled flying talent, whether in civilian or military aviation. At this rate, Wang Zhaoxin would probably be furious.

Things progressed smoothly. In the subsequent assessments, Xu Xian performed slightly better in the long-distance running, but still fell far short of the excellent standard. He barely passed the 1,500-meter swimming test, while his performance in the four 100-meter sprint tests was slightly below the passing mark, resulting in a failing grade.

In the physical fitness assessment, failing two items means the entire team entry assessment is terminated, regardless of how well the other items are performed, and the subsequent flight practice assessment is cancelled. However, even though Xu Xian narrowly avoided finishing early, one failure, two barely passing grades, and a mediocre rating had already dug a huge hole for him in the physical fitness assessment.

On that day, when Wang Zhaoxin received his physical fitness test results, he was so angry that he laughed. He then immediately called Li Cheng and berated him for over an hour.

Wang Zhaoxin, whose blood pressure spiked, barely slept that night. His mind was filled with Xu Xian's abysmal performance. He rarely saw such poor physical fitness test results, and Wang Zhaoxin was furious and on the verge of a breakdown.

Wang Zhaoxin, who hadn't felt this excited in a long time, finally fell into a deep sleep in the latter half of the night. He had half a day off tomorrow, so he didn't have to worry about getting up early. However, the flight practice assessment was early tomorrow morning, and he needed to go and see Xu Xian's performance in the flight practice.

Wang Zhaoxin was awakened by his phone ringing after an unknown amount of time. He answered, and it was Che Youwei's voice: "Old Wang, come to the operations analysis room right now!"

Wang Zhaoxin had just woken up, his mind still a little foggy, when he glanced at the clock on the bedside table and immediately woke up with a start. He had overslept and missed the time for his flight practice assessment for joining the team.

He was too engrossed last night, which caused him to fall asleep very late. In addition, knowing that he had half a day off, he was a little relaxed and ended up oversleeping.

I quickly put on my clothes and rushed to the combat analysis room. Fortunately, the dormitory was not far from the combat analysis room, so it didn't take too long.

Wang Zhaoxin, who had just arrived at the operations analysis room, noticed that Che Youwei was staring blankly at a large screen, so he went over and patted Che Youwei on the shoulder: "What's wrong?"

Che Youwei was engrossed in studying the aircraft situation map when Wang Zhaoxin's sudden attack startled him. Turning around and seeing it was Wang Zhaoxin, he pointed to the screen and said, "They're conducting formation flight tests!"

"The formation flight test went pretty fast today! It's almost over," Wang Zhaoxin said with a smile as he twisted a button.

Formation flight test is the second to last item in the practical flight assessment. After completing this, the aircraft returns to land. Once the aircraft lands, this practical assessment is considered over.

Che Youwei shook his head: "To be precise, Xu Xian did it too fast!"

"What's wrong? Did you pass on the first try?" Wang Zhaoxin asked.

"Emergency takeoff, ground strike, target drone firing, enemy aircraft interception—all executed flawlessly on the first try, and with an extremely high level of completion," Che Youwei exclaimed. "He doesn't seem like a rookie who's just finished his training course at all!"

"How tall?" Wang Zhaoxin asked with a smile.

Che Youwei's expression was serious: "Better than Chen Zhan? How much better do you think that is?"

"Even better than Chen Zhan?" Wang Zhaoxin's heart skipped a beat. "Is it really that exaggerated?"

In Wang Zhaoxin's view, Chen Zhan's performance in the flight skills test during the team entry assessment was almost perfect, and Xu Xian's performance was even better than Chen Zhan's.

"I've been with the Third Division for so many years, and I've never seen a pilot like him. His precision in flying is practically machine-like; I find it hard to believe that one person could accomplish this," Che Youwei said. "If Chen Zhan's practical flight assessment was near perfect, then Xu Xian's was truly perfect—absolutely flawless!"

Wang Zhaoxin gasped. He really hadn't expected that a simple flight skills assessment for joining the team would completely impress Che Youwei with Xu Xian. This was simply unimaginable.

"Then let me come over," Wang Zhaoxin asked, puzzled.

Che Youwei's eyes narrowed slightly: "Just you wait and see!"

At this moment, a 2.5D image is displayed on the big screen, in which two light spots are closely together and moving. These represent the lead aircraft and wingman of Xu Xian's formation flight test.

Naturally, Xu Xian played the role of wingman.

"Political Commissar, the alarm on the lead aircraft is working properly!" Suddenly, a technician behind the console in the operations analysis room reported to Che Youwei.

"An alarm? You mean a distance alarm?" Wang Zhaoxin asked, puzzled.

In formation flying, the most crucial aspect is maintaining the distance between aircraft. Therefore, formation flying tests assess a student's ability to follow the lead aircraft.

During the test, both the lead aircraft and the wingman were equipped with a locator. This locator uses the spatial distance between the lead and wingman as a reference; if the wingman deviates from the standard formation distance, the distance alarm will sound.

The alarms for wingmen and lead aircraft that are too far apart, too high, or too low are relatively mild, while those for aircraft that are too close will be relatively urgent. This is because close proximity poses a risk of collision, and the alarm is a reminder for the lead aircraft to take evasive action.

During formation testing, if even one urgent alarm sounds for being too close, the test is considered a failure. This is crucial for flight safety, and no negligence is permissible. Alarms for being too far, too high, or too low allow for three attempts.

Che Youwei nodded: "That's right, it's a distance alarm."

He pointed to the two dots on the screen that symbolized the lead and wingman aircraft and explained, "The lead aircraft just asked us if the siren was working properly."

"What does this mean? Is the alarm broken?"

"During the formation test, the lead aircraft did not sound any alarms, so he strongly suspected that the alarm system was malfunctioning," Che Youwei said. "Even during the most difficult high-speed turns, the alarm did not go off."

"You mean during the formation flight test, the alarm never sounded even once?" Wang Zhaoxin fell into deep thought.

Aside from situations where the distance is too close, seriously affecting flight safety, three trial-and-error opportunities are given for other situations such as being too far, too high, or too low. Why? Because a novice pilot certainly cannot maintain flight precision for an extended period during formation flying. This standard of three opportunities is the optimal standard developed over many years, and it must have some merit. In Wang Zhaoxin's recollection, he has never seen a formation flight test where the alarms don't sound even once.

In this test, one alarm is considered excellent. Chen Zhan's alarm only went off once during the test, when he was making a high-speed turn.

Wang Zhaoxin himself clearly remembered that when he took this kind of test, the alarm went off twice. So, he actually knew what it meant for the alarm not to go off once!

Perhaps before this, the pilot in the lead aircraft who was responsible for the inspection was only suspicious. But after the high-speed turn, the alarm still did not sound, and he could no longer bear it. He contacted the control tower directly, but the tower transferred him to the operations analysis room.

The distance alarm data is connected to the operations analysis room, where it can be checked whether the alarm is functioning properly.

Why did the inspector on the lead aircraft begin to strongly doubt the proper functioning of the distance alarm after a high-speed turn?

When flying straight, with small pitches or turns, the aircraft's state does not change much, making it relatively easier for the wingman to control the distance between the lead aircraft and the wingman.

However, when making high-speed turns, not only is the speed high, but the gradient also exceeds sixty degrees. At this time, it is very easy for the wingman to fall behind the lead aircraft.

Why?

Everyone knows that to maintain altitude while turning, you need to increase the throttle appropriately, otherwise the plane will lose altitude. Moreover, when turning, not only does the plane's altitude change, but its speed also changes.

Altitude and speed are two difficult-to-control variables during a turn. At the same time, the wingman must also refer to the relative position of the lead aircraft, rather than simply maintaining his own altitude and speed.

If the altitude is not maintained properly, an alarm will sound if the altitude is too high or too low; if the speed is not maintained properly, an alarm will sound if the distance is too far or too close.

Furthermore, the altitude and speed of an aircraft can be converted into each other.

For example, if your hand trembles slightly during a turn and you pull back on the stick, the aircraft will immediately gain altitude and simultaneously decrease speed. This means it's both high and far away—how could the alarm possibly stop?

This immense difficulty in maneuvering is particularly evident when making high-speed turns; to the inspector of the lead aircraft, no one has ever been able to keep up with the lead aircraft while making a high-speed turn.

That's why he suspected there might be a problem with the alarm.

But the reality was quite different from what he expected!

"033, the alarm is working properly, continue the test!" Che Youwei pressed the call button and said to the commissar.

"033 received!"

Suddenly, Wang Zhaoxin stepped past Che Youwei and pressed the speak button: "033, don't end this test yet. Increase the difficulty and let it fly again."

Che Youwei was taken aback: "Old Wang, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Flight assessments have strict syllabus requirements; how can the difficulty be increased arbitrarily? This is against the rules.

"It's alright. High-speed turns are the last item in the formation flight test. Xu Xian has already passed this test, so the following tests won't count towards this assessment. No matter how he performs next, it won't affect anything," Wang Zhaoxin said.

He felt that even high-speed turns were not Xu Xian's limit.

The communication between the combat analysis room and the lead aircraft is now on a different channel, which Xu Xian can't hear. He thought they were still conducting formation testing.

"Increase the difficulty? What kind of difficulty?" the lead aircraft asked.

Wang Zhaoxin thought for a moment: "Level two standard, I guess."

The lead pilot was taken aback: "Commander, you really are ruthless!"

Wang Zhaoxin smiled broadly: "How can we know the true potential of this kid if we don't act ruthlessly?"

In the cockpit, Xu Xian was leisurely following the lead aircraft to his left. Just as Squadron Leader Li Cheng had predicted, the practical flight training for joining the team was as easy as eating and drinking for Xu Xian, and that was indeed the case.

"I reckon it'll be over soon!" Xu Xian muttered to himself.

Suddenly, the lead plane, which had been turning from a high-speed turn to level flight, suddenly surged almost vertically upwards. Xu Xian's eyelids twitched wildly. Even though it was unexpected, his hand movements did not lag at all. His control of the aircraft had almost reached the level of muscle memory.

The moment the lead plane took off and soared into the sky, Xu Xian also took off and followed closely behind, without missing it by even a fraction.

In the operations analysis room, Wang Zhaoxin's heart was pounding in his chest: "The alarm didn't even go off?"

Such a sudden climb by the lead aircraft is not included in the flight skills syllabus for the induction assessment; high-speed turns are already the most difficult maneuvers. No pilot participating in this assessment would expect the lead aircraft to perform a sudden climb, as this would be a violation and exceed the syllabus.

Wang Zhaoxin was initially almost certain that the alarm would sound, and that this wasn't due to Xu Xian's technical shortcomings, but rather a result of preconceived notions. He thought that the alarm sounding was normal.

But what's unusual is that the alarm didn't go off!

"His reaction speed is incredible!" Wang Zhaoxin stared at the two bright spots that were relentlessly chasing each other on the image, his blood almost boiling.

In the air, the lead plane climbed rapidly at an angle of almost 70 degrees. The plane was already flying upside down. Just when it was about to lose speed, it suddenly rolled and returned to normal attitude.

Immelmann maneuver!

This is a classic maneuver that trades speed for height!

If this maneuver isn't executed perfectly, the plane will stall. Let alone keep up with him, could Xu Xian even manage?

Just as the lead pilot was still wondering if Xu Xian could complete the maneuver, he suddenly realized that the distance alarm hadn't sounded at all. In an instant, the lead pilot's back was soaked with sweat. He turned around abruptly, and to his right rear, Xu Xian's aircraft was right there.

"Wingman 054 calling the lead aircraft!" Xu Xian's somewhat impatient voice rang out in the queue channel: "Are you sure this is a maneuver for the team entrance exam? Isn't it beyond the scope of the requirements?"

Xu Xian's question echoed in the operations analysis room, but Wang Zhaoxin almost automatically ignored it. His whole body was trembling with excitement.

"Old Che, I'm going to Luohang!" Wang Zhaoxin's eyes were red. "I'm determined to snatch Xu Xian away from Li Cheng!"

(End of this chapter)