Chapter 42: Blue Sky Feast

Sunlight like golden silk gently draped across every inch of the Zhuhai-Macao Jinwan Airport. On November 12, 2024, the opening ceremony of the Oriental Airshow commenced amidst the eager anticipation of the masses. On this day, the sky was as blue as washed sapphire, and Jinwan Airport became the focal point for aviation enthusiasts worldwide. At the opening ceremony, the flight demonstration teams of China and Russia gathered together, ready to showcase their flying skills and the latest achievements in aviation technology.

Dr. Yu Ying, Long Wuyang, Cui Yinuo, Sun Mengjie, Zhou梓萱, and a few others squeezed into the crowd beside the runway, their gazes piercing through the dense sea of heads to land on the distant tarmac. There, aircraft in various liveries gleamed brightly in the sunlight like soldiers awaiting inspection.

"Professor, the opening ceremony is about to start," Long Wuyang nudged his way to Dr. Yu Ying's side, handing him a pair of high-powered binoculars with a soft reminder.

Dr. Yu Ying nodded, his gaze still fixed on those aircraft. "Indeed, Long Wuyang. Look at these planes; every single model is a crystallization of human wisdom. Today's opening ceremony is bound to be breathtaking—a true visual feast."

The music gradually swelled, and the announcer introduced that the first to perform a low-altitude pass was Russia's "Russian Knights" demonstration team. Their Su-27 fighters swept across the sky with thunderous momentum, drawing graceful arcs in the air as colored smoke intertwined to form magnificent patterns.

Dr. Yu Ying and Long Wuyang tilted their heads back, watching the flight performance without blinking. Dr. Yu Ying said excitedly, "Long Wuyang, look at those stunt maneuvers. They truly make one's heart surge."

"Indeed, Professor," Long Wuyang replied with equal excitement, his gaze locked tightly on the soaring aircraft above. "Every single pull-up and roll demonstrates the pilots' precise control over the aircraft."

The roaring sound of engines echoed in their ears as the Su-27s of the Knights team rolled and spun in the air like aerial ballerinas, displaying astonishing maneuverability and control. Deeply captivated by the magnificent performance, the audience erupted into wave after wave of enthusiastic applause.

Immediately following was China's "August 1st" demonstration team. Their J-10 fighters demonstrated a series of high-difficulty stunt maneuvers with astonishing speed and agility, winning round after round of applause from the spectators. The aircraft tumbled and spun in the sky like aerial ballerinas, showcasing superior flight performance.

"Look, that's the diamond formation of the August 1st team!" Dr. Yu Ying pointed at the J-10s changing formations in the sky, saying excitedly.

Long Wuyang tightly gripped the railing, a glint of light shining in his eyes. "Every single one of their maneuvers is so precise and powerful. It's truly breathtaking."

The Su-27s of the preceding Knights team had drawn graceful arcs across the sky, and now the J-10 fighters of the August 1st team were not to be outdone, demonstrating the might of the Chinese Air Force through a series of high-difficulty stunts. Leaving trails of colored smoke, the aircraft rolled, spun, climbed, and dived, dancing across the sky like the celestial maidens depicted in Dunhuang frescoes to weave a gorgeous tapestry.

Deeply captivated by the magnificent performance, the audience burst into wave after wave of enthusiastic applause. Dr. Yu Ying and Long Wuyang could not help but be moved. They knew that these aircraft were not merely demonstrations of flight technique, but rather a display of China's technological strength to the world.

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the crowd. "Look, the J-20 is coming!" Long Wuyang shouted, dancing with excitement.

Yes, indeed, it was the J-20. This heavy stealth fighter, independently developed in China, was making a low-altitude pass in a two-ship formation. They pierced the firmament with the majestic and elegant posture of royalty, their airframes reflecting a cold, sharp gleam in the sunlight. The appearance of the J-20 was like that of a mysterious dancer—lightweight yet swift. From a high-speed dive to a rapid pull-up, every movement was precise and fluid, as though drawing exquisite patterns in the air. The audience held their breath, cheering for every roll and turn executed by the J-20.

Cui Yinuo shaded her eyes with her hand and cried out in astonishment, "Its maneuverability is simply staggering! It's like a ghost in the sky!"

Long Wuyang chimed in loudly, "True, but that maneuverability is nothing compared to its elusive stealth technology. China's aviation industry is truly remarkable!"

Following closely behind was the most mysterious J-35. This compact, medium-sized next-generation stealth fighter captured everyone's attention with its unique silhouette and outstanding performance. The J-35's aerial performance was more like an elegant waltz; it carved graceful arcs through the sky, demonstrating exceptional dogfighting capabilities. Every roll and turn it made appeared so unhurried and effortless, as if telling the world that the sky was its home turf and the sea its hometown.

Long Wuyang waved his hands and shouted toward the J-35 in the sky, "China's stealth carrier-based fighter has arrived!"

Sun Mengjie seemed utterly entranced, murmuring dreamily, "Look at it dance in the sky. It's simply like an elegant black swan. So beautiful!"

Accompanied by a deafening, earth-shattering roar, the Y-20 large transport aircraft flew slowly overhead with its massive fuselage and astonishing payload capacity. Its huge wings cast a vast shadow under the sunlight, resembling a moving mountain that pressed down so heavily one could barely breathe.

At this moment, Dr. Yu Ying's emotions surged like ocean waves. His eyes closely tracked the steel beast, and his hands waved involuntarily, as if trying to touch the aircraft's contour. His shouts were filled with excitement and pride—a tribute to China's strength and a song of praise for the achievements of the aviation industry.

"Look! That is our Y-20! Like an aerial fortress, it carries hope and strength!" Dr. Yu Ying's voice was almost drowned out by the roar of the engines, but his excitement was unmistakably clear. Tears flashed in his eyes, reflecting pride in a powerful motherland and an infinite love for the aerospace cause.

He continued to wave his arms, as if to transmit all his passion and strength to that aircraft. "Y-20, you are the pride of China, the king of the blue sky!" His shouts carried an indescribable emotion—awe of technology and power, as well as admiration for the beauty of flight.

At this moment, Dr. Yu Ying forgot his identity; he forgot the surrounding clamor. In his heart, there was only that aircraft and an endless passion for flight. Every wave of his hand and every shout he uttered was the most sincere tribute to the Y-20 and the deepest affection for China's aviation industry.

Making the final appearance was Russia's Su-57. Renowned for its supersonic cruise capability and exceptional maneuverability, this fighter demonstrated its霸气 (overlord-like might) in the sky. The entrance of the Su-57 was like the descent of a master swordsman; it stunned everyone present with a series of high-difficulty stunts such as the Cobra maneuver, hovering in mid-air, the vertical climb, flat spins, and especially the falling leaf maneuver. Every single movement was imbued with power and speed, evoking the bold and indomitable spirit of the fighting nation.

Long Wuyang was filled with profound admiration and exclaimed excitedly, "The Su-57's maneuverability is truly unparalleled in the world, and Bogdan still has the vigor of his youth! Its performance in the sky is like flashes of lightning, especially that falling leaf maneuver—it's like a graceful waltz. This fully demonstrates the formidable capability of Russian aero-engines."

Cui Yinuo said with lingering fear, "When he executed the falling leaf, my heart jumped into my throat. It looked as if the aircraft was in freefall and about to crash."

Zhou Zixuan said with utter enchantment, "This is the artistic beauty of industry—the combination of strength and gentleness, the ultimate realm of man-machine integration. Old Master Bogdan has displayed the beauty of flight to the absolute limit. Too beautiful, too majestic!"

As the opening ceremony proceeded, the aerial performances grew increasingly splendid. Aircraft after aircraft acted like dancers in the blue sky, displaying humanity's passion for flight and yearning for freedom through various high-difficulty maneuvers. Amidst cheers, the opening ceremony concluded successfully. Dr. Yu Ying and his companions lingered on the runway for a long time, reluctant to leave, their hearts filled with deep emotion. Looking at the Bifang quietly standing at the exhibition booth, they knew that the success of the day before yesterday was merely the beginning. The road ahead was long, but they had both the confidence and the determination to continue writing new chapters in the field of aviation.