Chapter 28

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Chapter 28: Relishing the Feel of the Wind

Three L-15 Falcons carried three students into the sky, their engines roaring with a deafening sound. The temporary communication terminal set up on the tarmac constantly relayed the dialogue between the three planes and the ground.

During their first flight, the students simply followed the lead pilot’s operations, sitting in the front seat as they went through the motions. Although they had identical control panels in the back seats, they were restricted and would need to release permissions to control the aircraft like real pilots. If they performed well during the practice, they might even get a chance to take the controls mid-flight.

From takeoff, the lead pilot in the back seat, along with Major Shen at the ground communication terminal, patiently explained all the key points and operational methods to the students. Despite each student being thoroughly familiar with the aircraft’s instrument panel and operating procedures, almost capable of reciting them backward, the base remained extremely cautious. They proceeded with systematic teaching, step by step, prioritizing stability since the training and selection costs for each student far exceeded the cost of an aircraft. Training even the most ordinary pilots cost over ten million.

To help the students focus and take their first flight seriously, Major Shen presented them with the staggering costs involved. One after another, the students sat dumbfounded. Each takeoff and landing incurred expenses calculated in the thousands, and once the aircraft left the factory, it burned money every second. Losing either the aircraft or the pilot would be a significant blow to the nation, all funded by taxpayers.

Even Chen Haiqing, who usually dismissed financial matters, felt moved. What were luxury cars like Porsche and Ferrari compared to this training aircraft? Even a Bugatti Veyron paled in comparison to this trainer. The young heirs who flaunted their wealth with fancy cars were hardly better than the newcomers in town. Watching the planes take off and land up close, counting the seconds and adding up the costs in his head, Chen Haiqing, the only rich second-generation student among them, completely lost interest in fast cars. The thrill of land speed couldn’t compare to the excitement of breaking the sound barrier.

While training costs for fighter pilots were covered by the state, the fees for private flying, even for the lowest grade helicopter license, could cost upwards of two hundred thousand. Just to operate a regular business aircraft would start from twenty to thirty million, and to maintain it on the airfield without any flight activity would rack up over a million in annual maintenance fees. Once airborne, every hour was like burning cash, let alone the precious airspace. No amount of wealth or influence could allow for reckless flying, as national security was no laughing matter.

Each group of three students flew for half an hour. After landing for refueling and checks, it was already afternoon when it was Lin Mo’s turn. He and his friends settled for a quick meal beside the airport runway, holding their lunch boxes.

With the help of ground crew, Lin Mo climbed into the cockpit, fastened his seatbelt, donned the flight helmet, and pulled down the visor.

“Lin Mo, right? Don’t be nervous! Just treat it like your usual training!” The experienced pilot in the back seat turned to check on Lin Mo.

Lin Mo gave an OK gesture. Flying an aircraft was a completely different experience from riding a Giant Dragon. While studying theory and watching videos, he had gained considerable knowledge about planes. Compared to aerial knights from his other world, the aircraft in this realm had precise and complex parts, remarkably high speeds, particularly at the limits, even surpassing sonic velocities, with attack capabilities rivaling those of aerial knights—sharp, fierce, with long-range and beyond-visual-range attacks. However, they were weak in defense and struggled with close combat due to their turning radius limitations, unlike the agile beasts he had flown in his previous life.

The maintenance and operational costs were equally immense. While beasts in his world consumed food and potions, aircraft in this world consumed fuel. Both demanded high physical standards from their pilots, making selection tough. Though they had similar flight tactics, the endurance in battle was significantly weaker. If two aerial knights faced off, the outcome could be unpredictable.

This shifted Lin Mo’s perspective, opening up a new realm of aerial combat that excited and fascinated him.

With the protection of the flight helmet, Lin Mo could still feel the noise and vibrations of the L-15 Falcon’s twin engines thrusting powerfully. As it taxied down the runway and lifted off, the immense pressure reminded him of the time he charged ahead with the Giant Dragon, pinning him tightly against his seat.

These elite students began their journey in a high-level trainer, a part of the tradition set by China’s first aviation school. They all had impeccable physical fitness and theoretical learning abilities. It wasn’t until they boarded the L-15 Falcon that they truly experienced the thrill and style of a fighter jet.

Unlike commercial airliners, the high speeds at which they broke the sound barrier almost took their breath away. Lin Mo felt clearly that the comfort of a fighter jet was incomparable to a passenger plane; the vibrations and bumps would leave an ordinary person pale, gasping for air and dizzy.

“How do you feel?” The old pilot’s voice came from the back, checking on Lin Mo, who had been silent in the front.

“Great!” Lin Mo was almost reveling in the sensation of continuous acceleration, with the only regret being unable to feel the sharp wind against his face.

“Okay, I’m going to break the sound barrier once. Pay attention to the changes in power; soon, I’ll transfer control to you for a test flight,” the veteran pilot, astonished by Lin Mo’s adaptability and physical condition, spoke in a steady tone, showing no signs of concern.

The sound of the engine noticeably increased, the roar and vibrations growing stronger, almost making one think the aircraft would come apart at any moment. The speedometer gradually approached Mach. Taking the pilot’s hints and Major Shen’s ground instructions, Lin Mo closely monitored the aircraft’s flight status.

Bang! It sounded like an eggshell cracking. Suddenly, the noise inside the cabin dropped, and the world felt quiet as the aircraft entered a relatively steady state. Lin Mo marveled at the precision with which this world understood speed, easily defining the standard for breaking the sound barrier. He knew that in his other world, the types of aerial knights capable of achieving such feats were few and far between.

It was magical! Lin Mo felt the aircraft undergo a transformation the moment it broke the sound barrier, with almost all the pressure of the transition absorbed by the airframe. The pilot wouldn’t need to expose themselves to the air, nor wear heavy armor for protection, and there were no risks of being thrown out of the cockpit. However, this meant that the close combat capabilities were considerably diminished. The combat in this world did not rely on close quarters, resembling the style of wizards who settled matters from thousands of meters away. If an aerial knight from his world faced off against a fighter jet, they would likely be taken out before they even realized what was happening.

“In one minute, I’ll drop below the sound barrier, and I’ll release the control so you can fly for five minutes. Just relax; I’ll assist you at any time,” the rear pilot noted, recognizing that Lin Mo had been performing steadily and decided to give him a chance at the controls.

“Okay!” Lin Mo replied concisely. Since boarding the plane, his hands had never left the control stick. Although he was well aware of the functions and operating methods of every dial and switch on the panel, he felt a slight sweat on his palms—not from nervousness, but from excitement.

Being reborn and able to soar through the skies again felt like destiny fulfilled to Lin Mo, who longed to chase the wind and engage in battle.

“Today, we will practice a few basic flying maneuvers. Familiarize yourselves with the controls, and after a few more sessions, you’ll be ready to fly solo. Pay attention to the instrument panel; it will be very helpful for your night flights,” the rear pilot’s voice echoed in Lin Mo’s helmet headphones. He continued, “Counting down to takeoff, stabilize yourselves! Grip the control stick firmly but don’t hold too tightly—relax. You don’t need to worry about the cannon button; that’s just for show.”

In an instant, Lin Mo felt the control stick come alive in his hands. Even a slight movement caused the aircraft to respond immediately.

Gently nudging the stick, the plane smoothly broke away from level flight, beginning to turn. Lin Mo dared not make any sudden moves or try any tricks; having controlled a Giant Dragon before, he knew the various maneuvers they could perform, benefiting from the dragon’s powerful physique that could support extreme flying positions. In contrast, the aircraft was a blend of strength and fragility, and whether it could withstand Lin Mo’s extreme maneuvers remained uncertain. He proceeded with caution, trying things gradually within the allowed parameters. With his solid airborne experience, the L-15 Falcon became increasingly stable under his control, tracing beautiful white trails in the sky.