Chapter 0216
Director Wang's gaze drifted towards the distant array of airplanes. "Your grandfather was my instructor."
Madison was even more astonished.
Due to his age, Director Wang didn't seem much younger than her grandfather.
Noticing her confusion, he chuckled, "My baldness might be misleading. But indeed, your grandfather wasn't much older than us when he graduated and started teaching us. He was quite formidable." Every mention of her grandfather stirred a sense of pride within Madison.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
As the granddaughter, she naturally couldn't let her grandfather's reputation down.
Walking further, Director Wang lowered his voice slightly, "You have a natural talent, likely nurtured by your grandfather. Winning would be excellent, but even if you are dissatisfied with the results, there's no need to worry."
His words were loaded with implication.
Madison understood and bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your trust, Director Wang."
"Don't mention it. I'm looking forward to your leadership in the upcoming event," Director Wang stepped back, creating some distance, "Good luck."
"What did Director Wang say to you?"
As the pilots from the various airlines gathered in their formations, Frank approached Madison and inquired quietly.
"He just mentioned my grandfather." Madison was busy distributing the numbers to each pilot.
Their selection would proceed based on these numbers.
The last remaining red number was designated for the leaders of each airline's squadron.
"The numbers are almost ready," Frank noted, eyeing the numbers worn by Zheng Congyu, Sha Zhi, and Yang Zi from the other airlines.
Zheng Congyu's number was 9808, Sha Zhi's was 9809, Yang Zi's was 9008, and Madison's was 9009.
The numbers corresponded in pairs.
The first event of the selection contest was individual races, followed by rankings where the top and bottom fifty would compete against each other, with winners advancing to the next round. Being a contest for standby cargo transport, speed was the main focus.
Secondly, it was about overcoming any adverse weather conditions.
The individual race primarily tested this aspect.
Everyone was clear about it.
"How is the order of entry decided? By lot or at random?" Brian asked.
Madison waited for a signal from the Civil Aviation Administration until she saw a gesture. She glanced at the other airlines' formations.
It seemed that the other squadron leaders were all watching Madison, each trying to gauge the others.
But in an individual race like this, it was all about skill.
The current difficulty was that they didn't know what challenge was ahead, requiring someone to test the waters.
After a long wait with no one emerging from any formation, Brian stood up first. "I'll go."
Testing the waters could be done with those who were less technically skilled or with a trump card.
Using a trump card would ensure there wouldn't be a bottom-ranking result, which could easily lead to elimination.
Madison nodded, "Please be careful."
Brian gave her a reassuring look.
When Brian stepped up, Air China's side panicked. "Team Leader Zheng, they're starting with such a strong player?"
Zheng Congyu glanced at the twenty-nine pilots and called a name, "You go."
The chosen pilot was among the best in technical skill within Air China and wasn't young.
With Mukino Airlines and Air China revealing their hands, Pine Airlines and Cloud Airlines also sent out their stronger pilots.
Five pilots from each airline went out in the first round.
Madison had Charlie accompany Brian.
Once everyone arrived at the site, they listened to the competition rules.
After hearing them, Brian's expression turned grave.
The difficulty of this selection contest was no less than that of an actual rating assessment.
"Faked crash simulation again?" Charlie frowned.
"Can you handle it?" Brian asked the other four pilots.
"We'll try to fly low, but we might not reach the extreme distance that Captain Madison did," one pilot said.
Their technical abilities were not as solid, and their experiences in simulated crashes were not as extensive. Moreover, they didn't dare to risk it all.
Some people were born for this line of work, and age had nothing to do with it.
Madison, in her twenties, had managed to do it, but they, in their forties, could not. Envy wouldn't change that.
"Just make sure we're not below Air China," Brian said. "I'll try to create some distance. Keep a level head, don't get nervous, control your planes well, and we'll be fine." "Understood, Brian."
After some time training, everyone had started calling him Brian, following Madison's lead.
Learning that the first event was a simulated crash, the leaders of Air China, Pine Airlines, and Cloud Airlines all turned pale, especially Yang Zi.
The previous showdown with Miss
Zuo from their side against Madison
had been an embarrassing defeat,
and Madison's legendary close call
had become a famous tale among pilots. sŵnovel.net
The question now was, could they surpass Madison's record in this round?
And would Madison break her own training record this time?
2.8 meters.
That was the best recent training result.
Meanwhile, as the first individual race commenced, the contest was broadcast live on the giant screens atop the buildings behind the venue.
With the sunrise just clearing the
horizon, bringing a cascade of golden light, Madison put on her sunglasses and took the binoculars
from Frank to watch the
proceedings against the glare.
Standing at the forefront of Mukino Airlines' formation, tall and clad in black, she radiated a sharp and stunning presence.
In the observation deck of the Civil
Aviation Administration, a shield of bulletproof glass stood before them. Director Wang sat at the center, with the administration staff on his fight and the deputy heads of various airlines on his left.
For Mukino International, it wasn't their deputy but Michael who attended.
Qin Hualin from Air China was occasionally chatting with Director Wang, sharing updates on the international aviation scene with an eloquent and clear-headed manner. Listening in, Michael realized he was indeed a challenging opponent.
The individual races were underway, progressing in orderly succession, with outcomes from the first round being announced before the second began, and so on. Madison scrutinized the continuously updated rankings. Brian did not disappoint, leading with 6.72 meters.
For a non-combat scenario, this height was extraordinary.
Madison's previous contest against Zuo Yulei was indeed a life-risking endeavor because only such a bold move could assert authority over those who didn't respect her. Soon, most of the pilots' scores were in.
Among the top ten, three were from Mukino Airlines, much to Frank's satisfaction.
The final round was for the squadron leaders of the various airlines.
Abruptly, all eyes in the stands turned towards the competition field.
Madison lowered her binoculars and sunglasses and stepped out of the formation, walking towards the racetrack.
"Go, Captain Madison!!!" All the Mukino Airlines pilots cheered in unison.
With her back to them, she waved, her silhouette so cool it could trigger a scream.
After a brief nod to each other, the squadron leaders boarded their respective planes.
Once ready, the ground control signalled them to start simultaneously.
The squadron leaders would take off, ascend, and then dive at the same time, competing to see who could come closest to the sea surface without touching it!
In a heartbeat, the entire venue fell silent, countless hearts beating anxiously.
Eyes were fixed on this showdown among the squadron leaders, awaiting the outcome of their high-stakes battle.