Chapter 111: The landslide! The ground cracks!
In the ward, Li Rongcheng's face looked so bad for the first time, and Ye Xian, who had not believed what Xu Cang said, also fell silent. Xu Cang accurately stated the manufacturer's serial number of the verification aircraft, and this alone was too convincing.
Li Rongcheng suppressed his restless heart. He didn't know why he was being led by the nose in the "negotiation" with Xu Cang, a pilot. He understood that Xu Cang was completely controlling the pace of the negotiation, which was a very bad sign.
Finally, Li Rongcheng sighed helplessly: "Xu Cang, let me be frank with you. The Boeing 737-600 from six years ago does not count. The real NG series has only been in production for less than three years. Although it has been fifty years since the original appeared, the 737 is definitely not a new model, but I can say that the NG series has a huge update compared to the Original series. In a sense, it can be said that they are two different aircraft. How can we hand over all the drawings of a new model that has only been produced for a few years?"
Xu Cang did not respond. He certainly understood where Li Rongcheng's helplessness lay.
It can be said without hesitation that if the 737 had remained in the NG series instead of forcibly launching the 737MAX upgrade plan to catch up with the A320NEO, then the 737NG would have been close to the historical peak in the world of narrow-body aircraft.
I believe many people know that the 737 is known as the "gym in the sky". This is indeed mostly a joke, but many pilots also criticize the annoying operation of the 737. It is for this reason that after the launch of the Airbus 320, the all-fly-by-wire operation mode allows pilots in the cockpit to no longer exercise their muscles all the time, so Airbus began to make a comeback on this narrow-body aircraft model.
Li Rongcheng was right about one thing. Although the NG series is only the second-generation version of the 737 and is based on the 737 platform, compared to the 737 Original, the NG series is by no means as simple as a PRO version.
When talking about the NG series, bigger wings, higher tails, and more digital cockpit displays are often listed as advantages. However, what really makes the NG series reborn is the engine's fully digital management system - FADEC, which stands for Full Authority Digital Engine Control.
It is this digital engine management system that allows the 737 to achieve true automatic throttle for the first time. In this way, the pilot's operating burden is greatly reduced, and the integrated LCD display in the cockpit improves the way of obtaining information. However, in terms of human-computer interaction, NG has achieved a leap forward.
The shortcomings have been greatly made up, and combined with its lighter fuselage structure, lower fuel consumption, and excellent reliability, the 737NG is truly the pinnacle of single-aisle narrow-body aircraft.
It is because of his profound understanding of all this that Xu Cang sneers at the outdated Boeing 757. If given a choice, he would be crazy to choose 757.
As long as we get the 737NG drawings and understand them thoroughly, the domestic civil aircraft design industry will be able to achieve at least twenty years of leapfrog development.
However, judging from Li Rongcheng's tone, he seemed determined to not give in, which made things difficult.
"Xu Cang, 737NG is probably not an option, but 757 is negotiable." Li Rongcheng was laying his cards on the table, and this sentence was his bottom line.
However, Xu Cang's thoughts were different now. When he met with Li Rongcheng alone before, he was still confused and didn't know the difficulties Boeing was facing. But now it was different. Xu Cang already knew the Boeing's affairs. It was ridiculous to think that he could get away with something like the Boeing 757.
"It's okay. We'll talk about the 737 later. The problems in the verification flight report are for another price." At this time, Xu Cang was like a shrewd businessman, constantly bargaining: "There was a very serious problem in the verification flight of the 777. If that problem is not solved, it will be useless no matter who flies it."
"Impossible, there is absolutely no problem with the design of 777." Ye Xian said coldly.
What Xu Cang meant was that the problem with 777 did not lie with the operator, or in other words, people were not the root cause, but that there was a problem with 777 itself. This was something Ye Xian could not accept.
"Whether there is a problem or not is not up to you to say." Xu Cang smiled and said, "Let's stop here today. I'm tired. When I think of any conditions, I will tell you. Don't worry, it won't be the drawings of the 737NG. It is likely that you can accept it. Moreover, I advise you not to carry out verification flights before solving the problem, otherwise it will easily waste the last chance. By then, even the gods can't save you."
Hearing Xu Cang say this, Li Rongcheng breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that there was still room for recovery. As long as it was not the drawings of the 737NG, everything would be fine.
Li Rongcheng nodded: "Then I won't disturb your rest and wait for Mr. Xu to contact you."
Ye Xian wanted to say a few more words, but was pulled away by Li Rongcheng.
As soon as the two of them came out of the ward, Ye Xian began to complain to Li Rongcheng: "Did you really believe that guy? He could find out the problem that our headquarters' technical department couldn't find by looking at the verification flight report? Moreover, I doubt whether this guy has even read the flight report. Maybe he just knows the manufacturer's serial number."
"I have thought of this possibility, but the engines shut down repeatedly during the verification flight, and we couldn't find out what the problem was afterwards. Having a problem is not scary, what's scary is not even knowing what the problem is." Li Rongcheng gritted his teeth, and it was obvious that he was under a lot of pressure: "I didn't say I completely trust Xu Cang, but it doesn't hurt to listen to what he says. What if it really is solved? Mr. Ye, you should also know that the headquarters is under a lot of pressure now. Xu Cang is right. If the 777 can't hold up, the 767 can't take on the task at all. The Airbus 330 can grab every piece of the market except the 747 and 737. The progress of the 7E7 is too slow, and distant water can't quench immediate thirst."
Ye Xian's face turned pale. Boeing had never expected such an embarrassing situation. Such a big mess in airworthiness flight was unimaginable for any large aircraft research and development organization. And it just so happened that the 777 was still the one that Boeing believed could carry the main responsibility, and there was no suitable alternative.
The 757 and 767 were launched when Boeing was lost after the huge success of the 737 and 747. They were just random products launched in the market between the two and are not as important as the 777.
Ye Xian clenched his teeth. He had always felt extremely proud to be a Boeing employee, but this so-called pride was shattered by Xu Cang.
"What should we do now?" Ye Xian said in a deep voice.
Li Rongcheng also looked a little frustrated: "Then just wait, what else can we do?"
As Li Rongcheng and Ye Xian were walking and talking, they did not notice a middle-aged man in a gray coat leaning against the door when they came out. After they left, the man quickly turned into the ward.
When the middle-aged man came in, Xu Cang, who was just about to rest, suddenly opened his eyes, turned his gaze to the door, and said with a little surprise: "Master, I thought you were gone."
"I was about to leave, but I happened to see those two people coming to look for you, so I stayed at the door and listened for a while." The middle-aged man was Xu Cang's master Chen Xiangdong. Chen Xiangdong said with a hint of sarcasm: "It seems that the flight report of the Boeing 777 I gave you is still somewhat useful."
That’s right, the verification flight report of the Boeing 777 that Li Rongcheng had never understood was given to Xu Cang by Chen Xiangdong.
The Boeing 777 is no longer in the development stage, and many data reports at that time were kept confidential. However, now that the Boeing 777 is close to commercial use and is in the final stage of obtaining commercial operation qualifications, its verification flight data must be disclosed to a limited extent, especially to the civil aviation authorities of possible future buyers.
Because the aircraft will be sold in the future, all these reports will have to be submitted to obtain the type certification, so the significance of keeping it confidential is actually not very great.
After Chen Xiangdong learned about the Boeing 777 incident, he directly asked Sheng Gaoliang, director of the Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Department, for the report. Sheng Gaoliang felt that it was not confidential anyway, so he gave it to Chen Xiangdong without any objection.
Chen Xiangdong, who learned from the conversation with the director of the Aviation Security Department that Xu Cang was injured, rushed to Jianchuan without stopping and gave the report to Xu Cang.
Xu Cang really didn't expect that Chen Xiangdong could directly obtain the 777 verification flight report. His original intention was to let Chen Xiangdong just ask around, but he didn't expect there would be an unexpected surprise.
"It's very useful." Xu Cang said with a smile: "Master, can we still catch the plane?"
Before Li Rongcheng came over, Chen Xiangdong had just left to catch a plane. As a result, Chen Xiangdong's curiosity got the better of him, so he eavesdropped outside the door for a while and then left.
"We can catch up. There are many planes going to Hanjing." Chen Xiangdong pulled a chair and sat beside the bed: "Did you tell the truth just now?"
Xu Cang chuckled: "Master, which part do you mean?"
"There's something wrong with the Boeing 777." Chen Xiangdong was obviously curious: "I just heard you say it with such confidence."
Xu Cang shook his head: "There is nothing wrong with the Boeing 777 itself, the problem is something else."
"Oh, I see." Chen Xiangdong nodded as if he had understood something. "Then you can use this to blackmail Boeing?"
"No!" Xu Cang's face was not so happy: "The problem is actually just caused by a blind spot in thinking. Even if I don't say it, Boeing should be able to notice it. It just takes some time. In this matter, it is better not to push Boeing too hard. Just stop when it is enough. But, Master, aren't you curious about what the problem is?"
"Not interested." Chen Xiangdong stood up and patted his clothes: "Okay, let's go!"
"Master!" Xu Cang suddenly remembered Qin Xin's call. When Chen Xiangdong was about to leave, he asked, "If I ask you to help with the flight route application, would it be convenient?"
Chen Xiangdong's expression changed slightly: "Xu Cang, it doesn't matter if I help you with some things that don't involve principles. But, you asked me to help with the route application. Are you asking me to abuse my power for personal gain?"
Xu Cang was a little embarrassed, but it was not surprising. Chen Xiangdong was just that kind of person, with a very clear bottom line that no one would cross. It was precisely because of this character that Chen Xiangdong stayed at the Flight Academy for a long time. His friends had already made great achievements in the General Administration, but he had waited until now.
Perhaps he felt that what he said had made the atmosphere a little awkward, so Chen Xiangdong spread his hands and said, "Besides, I'm just a deputy, and the flight route application has nothing to do with me, so it's not easy to handle."
"I know, Master, I was just talking nonsense." Xu Cang thought for a moment: "However, if it is just a boarding route, the regional administration can handle it with full authority, right? The headquarters will not interfere?"
Chen Xiangdong nodded: "Yes, that's what the domestic flight approval rules issued two years ago said. Xu Cang, what are you thinking about?"
Xu Cang smiled and said, "It's nothing. Without the interference of the General Administration, it will be easier to handle if it is just the Regional Administration."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Chen Xiangdong looked at his watch. It was almost time and there was no time to waste. "By the way, we'll soon have a conclusion on you regarding the 9811 incident."
Xu Cang was stunned: "So soon? The bureau has never even had a serious talk with me."
"What are we talking about?" Chen Xiangdong rolled his eyes. "They themselves don't understand it, how can we talk? I guess it's just a formality and then they'll draw a conclusion."
…
At this moment, the headquarters base building of Yangcheng Muhua Airlines. It can only be said that Muhua Airlines is one of the three major airlines after all, with a large family and a large business. Compared with Muhua Airlines, the base building of Blue Sky Airlines reveals a small family atmosphere everywhere.
Muhua Airlines' headquarters base building is a twin-tower structure, connected by a glass tower bridge with a steel frame in the middle. On the bridge, Ma Cheng, who has already returned to Guangzhou, and Liu Minxue, director of Muhua Airlines' flight recruitment office, are standing side by side, each holding a cup of coffee in their hands, overlooking the entire Muhua Airlines base park, feeling the breeze, looking very comfortable.
"Blue Sky Airlines hasn't sent Xu Cang here yet?" Liu Minxue faced the wind with his eyes slightly narrowed.
Ma Cheng smiled faintly and leaned against the railing: "It's okay, I have already talked to the senior executives of Blue Sky Airlines. It's a matter of time. They know what's important and what's not. It's a high-quality route."
"But it seems different now." Liu Minxue shrugged. "Have you heard about 9811? Before this, I never thought that a person could calculate a program trajectory in his mind. Moreover, how did he level off in the end? Did he use the radio altimeter? He shouldn't be able to hear it, it was the ground effect? But can the ground effect really be distinguished by physical sense?"
Ma Cheng curled his lips and said, "The ground effect of the 747 is stronger than that of the 737. It should be more obvious, right? However, no matter what, the 9811 incident has made Xu Cang famous in the circle."
Liu Minxue also agreed: "Your eyesight in judging people is really ruthless this time! If I can really use a high-quality route to exchange for Xu Cang, I think this deal is still worthwhile. I feel that he is almost at the end of his career as a pilot. It is really hard to imagine that he is still a second mate in terms of technical level. He is indeed the only student in the history of the Flight Academy to graduate with full marks!"
"I say, Lao Liu, why do you still think like this? What use can a single pilot have? I admit that Xu Cang is very capable, but in this industry, pilots are just tools. What decisive role can they play? Even if he has reached the pinnacle of pilots, so what?" Compared to Liu Minxue's heartfelt appreciation for Xu Cang, Ma Cheng insisted on a pragmatic point of view: "If it weren't for the special period, Boeing just needed a pilot like Xu Cang, I don't think Xu Cang is worthy of being on a high-quality route."
Liu Minxue glanced at Ma Cheng and said, "I really don't like people like you."
Liu Minxue's choice of words was very precise. Disliking something does not mean disapproval, but there was a sense of helplessness in his tone.
"But only people like me can make the company develop better." Ma Cheng made no secret of his power mentality and was even proud of it.
"However, could it be that Blue Sky Airlines has some other intentions after the 9811 incident, such as waiting for a good price to sell itself?"
Ma Cheng sneered, "It's a regional airline that has never been out of the southwest. If it really wants to play tricks on us, we have plenty of ways to deal with it. However, the most urgent task is to solve the problems after the 747 is grounded. Currently, 60% of the routes in North America and Europe are handled by 747s. Now all of them have stopped. Even if we dispatch the 330 fleet to help, it won't make up for it. Many flights have been cancelled. Moreover, most of our cargo transportation is handled by 737-300s and 747s, especially international cargo transportation, which is basically all handled by 747s. The cargo department is also having a big headache now."
Liu Minxue used to be a senior executive of Muhua Airlines, but he couldn't stand the work style of some senior executives. He was alone and powerless to change them, so he finally retreated to the Aviation Recruitment Office to train new people.
However, Liu Minxue still had some power in the upper echelons, and he was also concerned about the development of Muhua Airlines, so he asked, "Aren't you suing Boeing?"
"Of course we have to sue. Blue Sky Airlines is planning to sue Boeing, and our Ministry of Justice also said that we can sue, but now is not the right time."
Liu Minxue had retired after all, so the news was delayed. He couldn't help wondering: "What happened?"
"It's just a plan to buy planes! There are 500 planes in total, and we at Muhua take up 200 of them, all Boeings." Speaking of this, Ma Cheng was a little annoyed: "This time the higher-ups were too slow to inform us, and they only informed us of such a big thing at the last minute. How can we get 200 planes in such a short time?"
When Ma Cheng said this, Liu Minxue knew what he was talking about. Ma Cheng was clearly complaining that the Civil Aviation Administration leaked the news too late, leaving no time to prepare.
Aircraft are not cheap goods that can be produced as many as you want. Large passenger aircraft have production capacity targets, and only so many can be produced in a certain period of time. There is no rush.
In the future, the Civil Aviation Administration intends to relax its control over the market, which means that domestic civil aviation will experience leapfrog development. To match this, more aircraft will be needed to fill the extra market share. If you are a little late, you won't even have a chance to benefit from it.
Because of this, the three major airlines have used their savings to temporarily purchase a large number of aircraft to cope with the future growth of the civil aviation market.
But the problem is that the Civil Aviation Administration revealed the news too late. Such a big decision should be made at least three years in advance, so that the three major airlines have enough time to prepare in an orderly manner. But as far as Ma Cheng knows, the decision to open up the civil aviation market will be announced in more than a year at the earliest and two years at the latest.
In such a short period of time, even the three major airlines cannot accumulate enough strength to share the extra market. That means that part of the market will be occupied by other airlines.
The three major airlines, which have always regarded themselves as the leaders of domestic civil aviation, have always adhered to the principle of eating meat themselves and leaving other airlines to lick the bottom of the bowl. In their view, the domestic civil aviation market is their private land, and other airlines need to look at their faces if they want to share a piece of the pie.
But once the civil aviation market is liberalized, and the three major airlines do not have enough aircraft to absorb the rapidly growing market share, then the airlines will naturally be able to take over.
Now other airlines not only don’t have to lick the bottom of the bowl, but may even be able to have a good meal, which makes Ma Cheng extremely dissatisfied.
In the past, whenever there were any policy changes, the three major airlines would receive the news early. Once the policies came out, they would be the first to take advantage of the policy dividends, while other airlines could only watch helplessly after realizing it belatedly.
In the long run, Ma Cheng instinctively feels that the dividends generated by the national policy should be shared by the three major airlines. When will it be the turn of other small airlines?
Ma Cheng continued to complain, "As far as I know, Boeing can only give us an additional 300 aircraft in the next two years. How to allocate these 300 aircraft depends entirely on Boeing's decision. Do you think we dare to sue Boeing now? It's really unlucky. When will Muhua have to swallow its anger?"
Aircraft production capacity is a scarce resource, and some can even be scheduled for ten years later. Generally speaking, Boeing will not respond to orders from the three major airlines. However, Boeing's allocation of 300 aircraft this time is considered a concession. But how to allocate these 300 aircraft is a mystery!
In the case of the 747's airworthiness certificate being suspended, Muhua Airlines has the largest 747 fleet among the three major airlines and suffered the most serious losses. Logically, this situation must be a lawsuit against Boeing.
However, Boeing holds the right to allocate the production capacity of 300 aircraft, which undoubtedly strangles the future development of Muhua Airlines. Being so controlled by others, Muhua Airlines dares not bring up the matter of lawsuit, and at least it can only hold it in for a while.
Ma Cheng was usually arrogant and domineering, and he felt even more humiliated this time.
"So, in the end, it was the Civil Aviation Administration who hid the matter, and now we have to look to Boeing for help." After going around in circles, Ma Cheng finally felt that it was because the Civil Aviation Administration leaked the information too late. He even said angrily: "I think we should urge the Blue Sky Airlines to send Xu Cang over quickly. It should be feasible to use Xu Cang to exchange production capacity with Boeing, right?"
Liu Minxue didn't know whether it would be feasible to use Xu Cang to exchange production capacity with Boeing. However, he felt uncomfortable after listening to Ma Cheng's conversation.
Liu Minxue said in a pointed tone, "Ma Cheng, even now, you still don't understand what it means?"
Ma Cheng snorted: "What do they mean?"
"Why did you leak the news so late this time? Do you really think it was a mistake by the higher-ups?" Liu Minxue sighed. "In the past, the civil aviation market was regulated, so it was okay for us to reap some of the policy dividends. But in the future, the market will be liberalized and there will be free competition. What the higher-ups want to see is a scene of a hundred flowers blooming, not the same old monopoly of the three major airlines. This time, the higher-ups, considering our past friendship, have leaked the news a little in advance, which is already the most they can do. Do you really want to reap all the policy dividends like before, and then leave other airlines helpless? I tell you, these good days won't last long."
Ma Cheng's face was still full of disbelief: "Is it that serious?"
Liu Minxue raised his eyebrows: "Let's wait and see!"
…
On the fifth side of Southwest Yulong Airport, a Blue Sky Airlines 737 is making final preparations for landing.
"We've passed the final approach fix point of 11,300 feet. We've met the altitude requirement. Adjust to 8,300 feet. Use V/S to follow the glideslope first, and then pre-position the APP later." The captain put away the armrests on both sides, set the descent rate, and then leisurely wiped his palms with a wet towel, preparing to land.
Unlike most plain airports that will intercept the glide path before the final approach fix, mountain airports, due to complex terrain, may cause the aircraft to have an excessive descent rate after the final approach fix due to unstable blind landing signals, resulting in a terrain warning.
Therefore, some mountain airports will not directly pre-position the APP to intercept the glide path after passing the final approach point, but will first use V/S to manually follow the glide path, and then intercept the glide path after passing the complex terrain. This is safer.
The co-pilot hummed, tightened his seat belt, and looked to the right. What came into view was an endless inner lake.
"Brother, you said that there is only Erhai Lake between Yulong Airport and Erhai Airport, so why is the air flow so different here? The Yulong side is very stable, but the five sides of Erhai Airport cannot be flown at all." asked the co-pilot.
The captain glanced at the instrument and said casually, "Erhai Airport is adjacent to Erhai Lake on one side and Cangshan Mountain on the other. The airflow is easily disturbed here, and there is nothing we can do about it. Several companies wanted to build bases at Erhai Lake, but after a few test flights, they all returned home. Erhai Airport is too difficult to fly!"
"Can it be as difficult as 9811?" The co-pilot suddenly laughed and said, "This is really weird. Are all the second officers in our company so good? He holds a 737 license and flies a 747 blindly. He still failed. I heard that those people from the Southwest Bureau didn't dare to ask the second officer when they arrived at the scene!"
The captain was startled: "Nothing you dare not ask?"
"I'm afraid of losing face!" The co-pilot laughed when he thought of this. "Usually, those people from the bureau always talk to us with their noses down. After all, they are all elites and we have to put up with it. But the second officer of our company is flying, and I'm afraid that none of the people from the bureau can fly down. You can't even do it yourself, and you still have the nerve to investigate others? Brother, if it's your turn, would you be so embarrassed?"
"What's there to be embarrassed about?" The captain chuckled, "Those leaders in our company's flight department fly like shit, and they still arrogantly scold us, don't they?"
The co-pilot was delighted when he heard this. The example given by the head of his own flight department was too real. Even though the co-pilot nodded in agreement, he still pointed to the front ceiling and said, "Brother, it's all recorded!"
The captain rolled his eyes, but didn't complain any more.
Seeing that the plane was about to reach 8,300 feet, the captain thought it was almost time and pressed the APP button. The plane was always on the glide path, and once the APP was pre-positioned, the glide path was immediately intercepted.
The captain adjusted the altitude for the go-around, and heard the voice of the Yulong Airport control tower in his headset: "Blue Sky 9733, report the DME distance of this airport."
"Now five sides and seven nautical miles, blue sky 9733." The co-pilot replied.
"Blue Sky 973 3, ground wind 200/03, runway 21, you can land." The tower quickly gave landing permission.
"Runway 21, clear to land, Blue Sky 9733." The co-pilot replied to the tower and then said to the captain, "Wind 200/3, almost no crosswind."
"Got it, landing checklist." The captain responded, and finally adjusted the seat height, and instructed the co-pilot: "Do the landing checklist!"
"Okay, landing checklist!" The co-pilot pulled out a cardboard landing checklist and was about to read it when he suddenly noticed a small anomaly out of the corner of his eye as he landed on the runway and frowned for a moment.
Seeing the co-pilot holding the checklist but not reading it, the captain asked curiously, "Landing checklist, why don't you read it? What are you thinking about?"
The co-pilot was no longer looking at the checklist, but staring at the runway not far away. He suddenly exclaimed, pointed at the runway ahead, and said in confusion: "Brother, is the runway shaking? Am I dazzled?"
The captain was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "What are you talking about, kid? How could the runway be shaking? Stop daydreaming and do the checklist."
After saying that, the captain adjusted his seat and looked outside. However, just as the captain looked outside, the already clearly visible runway landing area of Yulong Airport suddenly cracked without warning, and then the second and third cracks spread across the runway.
The captain was stunned for a second or two before he reacted: "What on earth is going on?"
The co-pilot was a little panicked: "Brother, let's go!"
"We can't land, let's go!" The captain pushed the throttle up almost instantly. Although he didn't know why, he knew that he could not land on such a runway.
With the roar of the two engines of the aircraft close to full thrust, the 737 began to climb rapidly. The captain first instructed the co-pilot to retract the flaps to 15, and then retract the landing gear.
During this time, the captain took some time to look down. Just looking down, the captain's back suddenly felt cold. Not only on the runway, but also on the entire apron, spider web-like cracks began to appear. And one thing the co-pilot just said was right.
The runway was indeed shaking, or to be more precise, it was not just the runway that was shaking, but the entire airport and the entire earth were shaking.
At this moment, the captain realized what was happening and murmured, "Earthquake?"
