Chapter 27

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Chapter 27: L-15 Falcon Training Aircraft

“This world really has things like magic!” Lin Mo wiped his cold sweat while working to adapt to these unheard of and unseen new things. To him, the computer seemed almost like a magical artifact, capable of anything. He vowed to save up some money to buy one and have some fun.

Fortunately, the base sold laptops as well. However, they were military-grade devices, which were not only expensive but also required advance approval for purchase.

As he watched others enjoy their computer games, he attempted to start a flight simulation game. The result was disastrous. With his lack of keyboard skills and unfamiliarity with the game’s flying perspective, he crashed countless times on the runway. If he had been riding his former mount, the Giant Dragon, under such poor command, that dragon would have likely squashed him into a pulp. This experience left Lin Mo in awe, realizing just how incredible these modern gadgets were and how they seemed to be everywhere.

The instructor teaching the students was Major Shen, who was thirty-seven years old and quite handsome, exuding a sunny demeanor. He was responsible not only for their theoretical courses but also for their training programs, making him the lead instructor for new pilots at the base. His flying experience was extensive, and his teaching skills were exceptional.

While Major Shen appeared amiable and patient during theory lessons, he turned into a completely different person during simulator training. Any small mistake would earn students a fierce reprimand that left them feeling as if they had been drenched in blood.

After a week of figuring out the computer, Lin Mo finally got used to operating it. He could now follow the erratic movements of the mouse cursor across the screen. To familiarize himself with the over one hundred keys on the keyboard and avoid being laughed at for his hunt-and-peck typing, he found an old, unused keyboard to practice touch typing whenever he had some spare time. He continually acquainted each finger with every key’s location, and after much hard work, his proficiency with the computer skyrocketed, a far cry from the days when he was bewildered by the keys.

Before it was his turn on the simulator, he already became adept at using the joystick in a game, even participating in local network battles. Though his operations were not fully polished, his experience as a Dragon Knight had equipped him with solid combat thinking skills, allowing him to win most of the time, even with some shaky movements and occasional mistakes.

When it came time for him to use the six-degree-of-freedom flight simulator, Lin Mo, with his rich flying experience and previous pilot background, was among the least criticized students by Major Shen. Perhaps it was his previous experience flying in armor that helped him maintain stability in practice, making him the safest and least accident-prone student. In contrast, other students often made mistakes, such as stalling or improperly responding to sudden situations, earning frequent admonishments from Major Shen, who praised Lin Mo as the most aware pilot among all the students.

The teaching pace at the air force base far exceeded that of aviation schools, as all the students were elite and capable of keeping up with the accelerated curriculum. While students at the aviation school struggled with rigorous theoretical studies, the seventeen students at the base were gearing up for their first flight test.

As they lined up to approach the three black-and-silver L-15 Falcons on the tarmac, the planes were already fueled and prepped for takeoff.

The L-15 Falcon advanced trainer was different from older models like the J-5 and J-7. It featured a twin-engine, mid-wing, and dual-side air intake design, intended for use with third-generation fighter jets. It housed two turbofan engines and impressive high-angle maneuverability, marking it as the first aircraft in China’s aviation development to achieve internationally advanced technical standards. It compared favorably to foreign models like the T-50, Yak-130, and the A-29 Super Tucano.

L-15 Falcon specifications:

Engine thrust (kg): 2×4200

Normal takeoff weight (kg): 6800

Maximum takeoff weight (kg): 9800

Maximum Mach speed: 1.4

Service ceiling (m): 16000

Maximum usable angle of attack: 29.2°

Maximum overload: +8.5/?3

Landing speed (km/h): 220…234

Takeoff roll distance (m): 200…238

Landing roll distance (m): 593…669

Aircraft life (flight hours): 10000

The L-15 trainer boasts superior overall aerodynamic performance, high maneuverability, a large thrust-to-weight ratio, a long service life, reasonable structural design, advanced manufacturing technology, flexibility in mission use, and high development potential compared to China’s existing J-7 supersonic trainer. In terms of overall technical standards, it stands equal to the developing T-50 and Yak-130 trainers overseas, and in terms of payload capacity and maneuverability, it can rival the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

Well-acquainted with the L-15 Falcon’s specifications and flying techniques from their training manuals and simulators, the students understood that the L-15 was prepared specifically for the J-10 third-generation fighter jet.

“Here! Lin Mo, consider this a good luck charm for yourself!” Chen Haiqing pulled a necklace from his pocket and handed it to Lin Mo. Impressed by Chen Haiqing’s remarkable connections, he had managed to establish a purchasing channel at the base, finally putting some of that hard-earned cash to use. He hadn’t forgotten to get each of the other brothers from Changchun Aviation University a silver necklace as well, each with a talon-shaped medal, offering a psychological boost for students taking their first flight.

No matter how well they mastered their theory or how familiar they were with the simulator, the real aircraft offered a different experience. The intense forces during takeoff were something no one had experienced before. Even seasoned pilots couldn’t fully convey the feeling of being pressed firmly against the seat by immense thrust and spinning in the air.

At the moment they grasped the real control stick, anyone would feel a trickle of sweat, even with the presence of an experienced pilot sitting beside them in the L-15.

Noticing Chen Haiqing’s small gesture, Major Shen subtly nodded in acknowledgment of Chen Haiqing’s cleverness. In fact, air force pilots in various countries often carried good luck charms to ease their psychological pressure. The psychological demands during their first flight were often even greater than their flying skills. A slight miscalculation could lead to disaster; the loss of an aircraft is minor compared to the cost of training a pilot, which requires considerable time and resources.

“Magic silver?!” Lin Mo’s eyes widened as he stared intently at the silver chain that Chen Haiqing had given him as a charm.

“Magic silver? Have you been reading too many novels? It’s titanium alloy! Everyone says it’s good for your health but has no adverse effects on people—it’s just a mental crutch,” Chen Haiqing laughed, explaining.

“Is this kind of thing plentiful?” Lin Mo couldn’t restrain his excitement. Oh, come on! Magic silver! Who gives away such things casually? No self-respecting wizard would be so generous to give such an item away.

Chen Haiqing assumed Lin Mo might not know where to get a titanium alloy chain. He shrugged and said, “Oh, you can find them everywhere! While it’s not cheap, it’s also not that expensive! I had someone help me buy it; they sell it on Taobao, or you can contact the manufacturers online for custom orders.” While most on the market were fiber ropes with a small amount of titanium alloy, pure metal chains were rare, and Lin Mo had no idea how far apart their perspectives truly were.

“Really?!” Lin Mo’s eyes lit up, filled with excitement. Magic silver has many uses, whether for weapons or magical artifacts, greatly enhancing their power and effectiveness. Stocking up on some would be a huge win for him. Gripping the titanium chain tightly, he resembled a child seeing a pigeon egg for the first time, hardly aware of how his expression mirrored curiosity and thrill.

Perhaps Lin Mo didn’t realize that in his former world, magic silver was an incredibly rare commodity, known for its excellent hardness and affinity for magic, making it favored by wizards and alchemists. However, in this world, titanium, which possessed similar hardness and weighed almost half as much as steel for the same volume, was abundant. Just grabbing a handful of dirt could contain trace elements of titanium, yet advances in technology made its extraction somewhat economical, allowing common people to afford it. This was a stark contrast to Lin Mo’s original world, where even a tiny bit would cost an enormous price, a revelation that would leave many wizards astounded.

As Lin Mo reveled in the abundance of magic silver in this world, Major Shen began to reiterate the flying precautions to the students donned in their brand-new pressure suits, signaling the start of their first-ever flight.