Chapter 37: Circling and Waiting

Everyone returned to the large screen, watching the various flight parameters displayed upon it. Long Wuyang said with excitement, "All flight parameters are excellent. We are racing toward Zhuao at a speed of 450 knots. At this rate, we will reach the airspace over Zhuao in two and a half hours."

In stark contrast to the exhilaration in the hangar, the flight control room was quiet. Everyone sat at their stations, diligently performing their duties, though their faces could not hide a sense of relief and excitement.

About five or six minutes later, the rich, magnetic mezzo-soprano of the Wuhan tower suddenly rang out: "Flight HK001D, due to an emergency airspace situation, the airspace ahead is temporarily closed. Please return immediately to the Optics Valley landing point and prepare for landing."

Everyone was stunned. All eyes immediately turned to Dr. Yu Ying.

Unfazed by the crisis, Dr. Yu Ying calmly issued the third instruction: "Return to the Optics Valley landing point, altitude 1500, reduce speed to 350."

"Understood. Returning to the Optics Valley landing point, altitude 1500, speed 350," Cui Yinuo replied, repeating the order while operating the controls with speed and precision.

The navigator, Zhou Zixuan, replied to the tower: "Flight HK001D received. Reducing speed to 350, altitude 1500, beginning return to the Optics Valley landing point."

Immediately afterward, Dr. Yu Ying’s voice was heard: "Wuhan tower, this is the commander of Flight HK001D. We have begun our return and request to orbit and hold over the Optics Valley landing point."

The mezzo-soprano replied: "Flight HK001D, Wuhan tower, request approved. Please orbit and hold at the Optics Valley landing point and await further instructions."

Navigator Zhou Zixuan responded: "Understood, awaiting further instructions, Flight HK001D."

People in the hangar looked at one another, completely baffled.

Through the large screen, Lao Jia saw Dr. Yu Ying walk into a small glass room inside the flight control room. He paced inside while talking on his mobile phone. Five or six minutes later, he walked out and resumed his seat as the flight commander.

Some people had run outside the hangar, looking up at the sky, searching for the returning aircraft. Before long, the faint roar of engines could be heard. A small black dot appeared from the southeast, growing larger as it approached. Its dark fuselage was now visible, glinting under the setting sun, and the roar grew steadily louder.

Finally, the magnetic mezzo-soprano spoke again: "Flight HK001D, Wuhan tower, your request for an orbital hold is approved. Please perform a standard orbit over the Optics Valley landing point at an altitude of 1500 and await further instructions."

Dr. Yu Ying replied: "Understood, will perform a standard orbit over the Optics Valley landing point at an altitude of 1500 and await further instructions, Flight HK001D."

Wuhan tower replied: "Flight HK001D, confirm your orbital position and altitude. We will notify you of subsequent actions in due course."

Navigator Zhou Zixuan replied: "Orbital position confirmed, altitude 1500, awaiting further actions, Flight HK001D."

Dr. Yu Ying excitedly raised both hands, forming two capital V's. The others looked on, bewildered.

Dr. Yu Ying quickly issued the fourth instruction: "Operator, standard orbit over the Optics Valley landing point, altitude 1500, speed 350."

"Understood, standard orbit over the Optics Valley landing point, altitude 1500, speed 350," Cui Yinuo replied calmly.

The people in the hangar walked out onto the tarmac, looking up at the sky. They listened as the roar receded and returned, and the black dot shrank and grew. It circled above the hangar, roaring as if venting grievances and reluctance.

Lao Jia asked Long Wuyang in confusion, "Is 350 the most fuel-efficient cruising speed?"

Long Wuyang, feeling a bit uncertain, stammered, "Theoretically, yes. Generally, the economic cruising speed is 70% to 80% of the aircraft's maximum level flight speed. At this speed, fuel efficiency is highest, meaning the lowest fuel consumption per kilometer or per hour. When flying at maximum speed, fuel consumption increases significantly because air resistance rises with speed. Therefore, with a full load of two tons of fuel, cruising at 350 knots allows for a maximum range of 4000 kilometers and an endurance of 11 hours. However, but..." Long Wuyang hesitated.

"But what? Speak!" Lao Jia demanded sternly.

"These figures are theoretical; we haven't had the chance to test its actual flight limits," Long Wuyang whispered. "We... we have never encountered a situation like this. How long will we have to orbit?"

Lao Jia immediately felt a surge of unease. The unknown is the greatest risk, and fate beyond one's control is the greatest helplessness.

Everyone looked up, watching the black dot circle overhead, wailing like a lone crow. The mood was low, and everyone remained silent.

Dr. Yu Ying walked out of the flight control room and onto the tarmac. He looked up, his face grim.

Lao Jia walked over to Dr. Yu Ying and said, feigning relaxation, "Is the airspace ahead not cleared yet? Is it mainly for safety reasons that no one is allowed to enter?"

"Yes, the military exercises in the southeast have ended, but the cleanup might not be finished. We were flying too fast, and the tower was afraid we might accidentally enter the exercise zone and trigger a safety risk," Dr. Yu Ying said flatly.

"Then why not return and land? Why insist on orbiting in the sky? How long will this go on? And it’s burning fuel," Lao Jia asked, puzzled.

Dr. Yu Ying sighed helplessly. "You don't understand, Lao Jia. For this airshow, to apply for this flight path, we started the application process weeks in advance. We pulled many strings and went through great pains to get today's route approved. If I turn back and land, the flight number for this route will be voided. If I want to take off again, I would have to reapply for the route, but the airshow opens the day after tomorrow—there's simply not enough time! So I have to gamble and keep circling here. As long as I don't land, the route remains, and the flight number stays valid. I just spoke with the tower leadership on the phone, explained our difficulties, and requested their support." The more Dr. Yu Ying spoke, the more agitated and firm he became, acting almost like a stubborn child.

Lao Jia looked at Dr. Yu Ying in surprise, as if seeing him for the first time. He never expected this refined, scholarly man to have such a fierce streak.

Lao Jia reached out and patted Dr. Yu Ying on the shoulder, praising him: "You are right. I support you! At times like this, one must have the determination to burn one's bridges. As a leader, once a strategic decision is made, one should not be swayed or changed by any hardship. This is the finest quality of a leader."

Lao Jia then looked up at the sky and said confidently to Dr. Yu Ying, "Don't worry, I believe our luck isn't that bad. This orbital wait will be over soon."

Dr. Yu Ying, still heavy-hearted, said, "I hope so! But my luck doesn't seem to be very good. I hope you can bring me some good luck, Lao Jia! Sigh, next time I will definitely build a drone with aerial refueling capabilities, so it can fly for days and nights without landing." He added, sounding like a petulant child again.

Lao Jia laughed out loud, "That's actually a great idea. I think it's entirely feasible. All market demands are driven by harsh reality. For instance, because China's chips were cut off by the US, China's own chip industry grew. Because you're afraid to land and lose your flight number, you'll create an aerial-refueling drone. Brilliant, Dr. Yu Ying, I truly admire you more and more, hahahaha."

Lao Jia and Dr. Yu Ying laughed heartily, causing everyone to look their way. They didn't know what had happened, but seeing the two leaders laughing so happily eased their own tense nerves.

About half an hour later, Dr. Yu Ying's walkie-talkie crackled with that familiar, long-awaited, magnetic mezzo-soprano: "Flight HK001D, end orbital hold, continue flight to Zhuao, maintain current altitude. Have a pleasant flight."

Dr. Yu Ying moved as if electrified, racing back to the flight control room to take his seat as commander and issuing the fifth instruction: "Operator, end orbit, engage automatic navigation system, maintain original route, altitude 1500, speed 450."

"Understood, ending orbit, engaging automatic navigation system, altitude 1500, speed 450, destination Zhuao, aircraft attitude normal," Cui Yinuo repeated excitedly in a loud voice.

Navigator Zhou Zixuan also happily replied: "Wuhan tower, Flight HK001D ending orbital hold, proceeding to Zhuao, speed 450, altitude 1500, thank you for your support."