SWNOVELS Chapter 0234
The six-minute time limit was a stretch even the instructors who devised the challenge weren't sure could be met.
They wanted to use this event to test the overall skill of the current crop of pilots, particularly the team leaders who had made a name for themselves.
If anyone stood out, they could be considered for the year-end international flight competitions.
At this moment, Madison was unaware that expectations were riding on her performance. She had a timer to beat and a rank to maintain above fifth place. Charlie and Kou Mei were formidable opponents, and Madison never underestimated them.
This was a battle for honor, no quarter could be given, they must go all out.
On the big screen.
Red dots representing each plane moved at breakneck speeds, zigzagging and chasing each other.
Someone remarked, "If I weren't here for the selection trials myself, I'd think I was watching a military flight demonstration."
These planes, darting past each other, seemed to mistake themselves for fighters.
Though it was an individual race, communication channels remained open.
Before boarding, Charlie had suggested to Madison they use the last channel for emergencies.
In the blink of an eye, the majority of the fleet had reached the other side of the course and was on the return leg.
Three and a half minutes had passed.
All planes accelerated, some pilots falling significantly behind.
"These four are truly strong," Director Wang acknowledged with a nod from the stands.
However, an instructor beside him said, "Director Wang, at this speed, none of them will advance."
In the sky.
The women reached the end of the line, searching for the runway to land.
Suddenly, snow-making machines ahead started blanketing their windshields. "Damn it!" Zuo Yulei cursed.
She had just been wondering about the pre-mentioned snow machines.
So this was their waiting game?
How to find the runway, blinded like this?
Not just Zuo Yulei, even Kou Mei was anxious.
Time was slipping away, less than a minute left; if they didn't start to land, they'd all be eliminated.
On the public channel.
"Madison, I can't see the runway!" shouted Charlie.
A second later, Madison's voice came through: "Zuo Yulei, Kou Mei, stay in the air, follow my lead."
On the big screen, everyone saw three planes abruptly stop moving.
Another red dot shot past them, and once it was clear, the stationary planes followed, accelerating.
Madison had memorized the coordinates of the designated runway before takeoff.
The appearance of the snow machines was a clue, and she'd guessed right.
"Madison, go ahead and land."
In the channel, Kou Mei's voice fluctuated.
"Yes, Madison, you first!" echoed Zuo Yulei.
Madison could have ignored them, but she didn't.
She reduced altitude by memory, urging, "Follow my speed and descent, hurry, we're running out of time."
"Okay!"
"Okay!"
"Okay!"
The three voices chimed in unison.
Unbeknownst to them, their entire conversation was heard by everyone.
Director Wang was surprised.
The race director said, "Increase snow production, create more obstacles."
In mid-air, Madison was flying blind.
Zuo Yulei clenched her teeth, "I can't see a thing, what now?"
Madison couldn't see either.
She could only try to land by memory, uncertain, "If I remembered wrong, we'll all be disqualified."
The countdown reached 21 seconds.
About two seconds later, Charlie's voice broke in: "Without you, we might not have managed to land. If we're disqualified, we'll go down together!" "Right!" Zuo Yulei followed.
Kou Mei was calm, "Madison, lead the way."
Madison had no choice, facing a whiteout, she had to land blind.
On the ground.
"Their view is blocked?!"
"That precise? How will they land?"
"Look, look! They're preparing to land!"
"Damn! A blind landing?!!"
In mid-air.
Four planes equipped with snow machines broke through the clouds, and dove towards the
lined us
ground at breakneck speed. S
SW
"Decelerate! Gear down!" Madison commanded loudly over the channel.
With impeccable timing, all four planes deployed their landing gear.
"Prepare to land," Madison directed.
The three women followed her lead without question.
"5"
"4-
Countdown neared its end.
"Hurry! Hurry!!"
Pilots below, for some reason,
seemed unconcerned with
hoped for a completed fliinet
or
at that moment;
The ground noise swelled.
"2"
"Thud-
"I
"Thud-
"1
"Thud-
"Thud-
Four planes touched down on the runway, one after the other.
At that moment, the names of the top four pilots flashed across the big screen.
In the stands.
Director Wang couldn't help but stand and applaud these four female pilots.
Even the instructors beside him laughed excitedly, "Excellent! Especially the commanding Madison. Very steady!"
Even Qin Hualin had to acknowledge Madison's excellence.
First place, Madison without question.
Second was Kou Mei, then Charlie, and fourth, Zuo Yulei.
Only these four had finished the flight within the allotted time.
Madison disembarked, bypassing the artificial snow, and looked up at the big screen.
Her name, unsurprisingly, was at the top.
Suddenly, her shoulders were patted from both sides.
Madison turned.
Zuo Yulei was on her left, Kou Mei on her right, and Charlie stood in front of Madison.
"Thank you."
The three of them spoke in perfect sync.
Madison paused, then smiled, "We're friends. I hope we always will be, never enemies."
"Of course!" Zuo Yulei's smile was especially bright.
Kou Mei looked at Charlie and Zuo Yulei, saying earnestly, "And thank you."
"Eh?" blinked Zuo Yulei.
Charlie just smiled.
Kou Mei was well aware that Charlie and Zuo Yulei had deliberately
landed a second late, ensuring.net
second place to silence the critics at Air China.
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Though they couldn't see, the sound and vibrations of the planes landing so close were perceivable.
Their return had the waiting pilots sighing.
If even they had nearly failed, what hope did the rest have?
"Captain Madison, you're a true gem!"
"I knew Captain Madison would win!" Mukino Airlines' colleagues beamed with joy.
Madison whispered to Brian, "Remember the landing coordinates in advance next time." "Understood. We heard everything you said on the channel," Brian said with a smile. Madison startled, "You heard all that?"
Then she felt the admiring, awe-struck, and glittering gazes from all directions. Madison's composed commands over the channel earlier had truly captivated hearts!!!