Although the people are confused and distrustful.
However, the Aviation Academy still conducted its third test flight.
As soon as the Grasshopper was unveiled, the whole Laoshan was a sensation.
"so small?"
"Is this an airplane? It feels about the same size as a car, not as big as a propeller on an airship."
"Isn't this just a child's toy? Can this also be called an airplane?"
"It looks pretty solid. Can such a small plane fly into the sky?"
"The red one really has a childish heart. It looks too much like a toy, doesn't it?"
"What about the streamlined shape we promised? What about the single wing? This is too childish."
"It looks like you can't fly at all, okay?"
"The Aviation Academy is a complete waste of time."
“…”
The people at the Aviation Research Institute didn't pay attention to the various voices of the masses. They just transported the Grasshopper to the airport runway and started debugging.
'buzz'
The unique sound of the radial engine began to erupt.
Everyone felt a little surprised. This was a very contradictory visual sense. Such a small toy, like candy. It was such a huge contrast to be able to make such a violent sound.
"Report to the dean. The engine test is completed and the test flight can be carried out."
"Report to the director that the operating system test is completed and can support test flights."
"Report to the director, the airport road has been cleared and test flights can be conducted."
“…”
Liu Jinghong listened quietly, with neither sadness nor joy on his face. After experiencing several huge failures, Liu Jinghong's mood was now calm.
Just like an ancient well without waves.
A pilot walked over and reported to Liu Jinghong.
Liu Jinghong actually wanted to pilot it himself, but he also thought that he actually had zero experience in aerospace. It would be better to leave it to a professional test pilot, even though he had built a lot of aviation equipment. But they are the ones who are truly familiar with aviation equipment.
It is worth mentioning that Fang Aerospace, who had just recovered from his serious injury, wanted to try the new aircraft Grasshopper again, but was persuaded not to do so.
It can be seen that in fact, the pilots did not have much fear about the crash. They were not afraid or worried at all.
Their love for aviation far exceeds that of ordinary people, because they no longer have any fear. Although I am in awe of the blue sky, I am still yearning for it more.
Every test pilot is still very enthusiastic about this test flight.
Liu Jinghong asked their captain to conduct the operation. This time, the captain of the test flight team was named Zhang Gang. He was still a thin figure, but compared to Fang Aerospace, his eyebrows had a more serious look.
It seems that he is a fierce warrior who has actually been on the battlefield and killed people.
"Zhang Gang, captain of the sixth team of the Eastern Flying Group, requested to participate in the test flight."
Liu Jinghong nodded: "Approved."
A flash of joy flashed in Zhang Gang's eyes, and he quickly got familiar with the seemingly compact Grasshopper. He didn't dare to underestimate this pocket-sized aircraft, because the terrifying sound erupted from the seven-cylinder radial engine had already proved that it was not as cute as it looked.
Under the explanation of the aviation institute personnel, Zhang Gang quickly understood some operating system controls. In fact, it's not that strange.
Because Fang Aerospace had test-flyed the Swordfish, he was no stranger to gliders that required the use of runways. When Fang Aerospace was hospitalized, his comrades would often visit him. Naturally, they would inevitably ask him about the operating experience of the Swordfish and how it was different from other aircraft.
When Zhang Gang came here, he already knew it. At least, what he knew was that this kind of glider could only take off when it reached a speed of eighty miles.
And the landing method of this kind of aircraft also adopts a dive-type gliding landing.
After getting familiar with the operation, Liu Jinghong told him a piece of data:
"Captain Zhang Gang, the Grasshopper has a total weight of 263 kilograms. The top speed is 180-220 per hour. The maximum flight altitude is six thousand meters."
Zhang Gang took a breath of air and looked at the miniature Grasshopper under him in shock. Such a small aircraft can fly up to six thousand meters
How is this possible? Isn't this a joke
Even airships dare not go up to five thousand meters. How dare this Grasshopper go up to six thousand meters
It is almost touching the stratosphere. In that place where the airflow is extremely turbulent, no aircraft in the world currently dares to go there.
And the Grasshopper dared to go up to six thousand meters
Without giving Zhang Gang much time to be shocked, Liu Jinghong continued:
"Based on the calculation based on the angle of attack and power, it is theoretically estimated that the Grasshopper can take off and land within 100 meters. It can take off at a speed of 60 miles."
Zhang Gang's eyes widened and he exclaimed: "Complete takeoff and landing within 100 meters? How is this possible?"
You know, the Swordfish piloted by Fang Aerospace had to cross the airport runway before it could even take off. It was almost four kilometers before takeoff was completed.
The Grasshopper was forty times shorter
Taking off and landing within 100 meters
What is the concept of one hundred meters? For a pilot, it is almost as soon as he starts the engine and flies into the sky.
Is this little grasshopper so powerful
Zhang Gang was skeptical, secretly thinking that this data was just a theoretical estimate and should be a bit exaggerated. One hundred meters... You can't even pick up the speed, right
This is a propeller aircraft, and there is no power on the tires of the landing gear. It relies solely on the force of the wind to propel it across the ground.
Can it be pushed from a distance of one hundred meters to a speed of sixty miles
Zhang Gang had some doubts in his heart.
But he underestimated the terrifying power of the seven-cylinder radial engine, and also ignored the weight of the Grasshopper, which was more than 200 kilograms. Including him, it weighs about three hundred kilograms.
The seven-cylinder engine relies on the wind power of the propeller. It can actually push the Grasshopper, which has strong wind-breaking ability, to a speed of more than 60 kilometers within 100 meters.
the reason is simple.
Small stature and light weight. High power.
The people watching from a distance stood outside the cordon, still looking expectantly in the direction of the Grasshopper.
After the last experience, no one dared to stand at the end of the runway. I was afraid of being passed over my head, and I was even more afraid that I wouldn't be able to take off when I got there, and that would be the end of it.
"Is this okay?"
"Let's see."
"Flying should be something that can fly?"
"I feel like it can't even fly. How can there be such a small aircraft."
"Yes, the wings are not big either. Let's talk about a powered paraglider. Although it doesn't look big, the paraglider's umbrella is more than ten meters long."
"It doesn't look optimistic."
“…”
"It's time to take off."
Liu Jinghong gave an order.
Zhang Gang immediately put on his flight helmet: "Yes!"
Press the start button, and with a 'buzz' sound, the radial engine suddenly starts working.
As Zhang Gang stepped on the accelerator, the propeller suddenly started spinning at super high speed.
But with his other foot, he pressed the brake of the takeoff and landing gear, causing the entire plane to shake continuously and not move forward.
(End of chapter)