Two days later, on the day of the first flight, early in the morning.

The grandstand erected next to the runway at the test flight station was crowded with people, from the top leaders to the technical representatives sent by the Air Force, all eagerly awaiting the first flight of China's first self-designed and manufactured third-generation aircraft.

About an hour ago, a thin morning fog had risen over the airport, causing everyone to worry about whether the first flight would go smoothly, but as the sun rose, the fog quickly dispersed and the weather finally returned to what the forecast called a fine state.

In the assembly workshop, due to the experience of the previous ground tests, the cooperation between the staff of the 132 factory and the flight test station was already familiar, and the front wheels of the aircraft were quickly fixed on the clamps of the special tractor.

Song Wencong and Xue Chiqi both wore suits for the first time.

On weekdays, they are not good-looking, and because they often go in and out of the factory, they are not very tidy, once they dress up, they really have a bit of a dignified feeling.

An engineer trotted in from not far away:

"Report, the pre-flight inspection of the No. 10 prototype of Project 10 has been completed!"

After speaking, he handed over a document in his hand.

Xin Xiaowen, chief pilot engineer, Song Wencong, chief designer, Xue Chiyu, chief engineer, and Xu De, head of aircraft assembly, signed their names on it in turn.

Looking at the plane that was ready in front of him, Xue Chiqi only said two words:

"Let's go!"

With his command, the aircraft tractor let out a low roar, and then towed the 11-ton plane and started lightly-

Since the flight is not expected to last too long, in order to reduce the take-off weight, only a relatively small amount of fuel is filled.

Even after a while for the pilot to sit on it, the actual thrust-to-weight ratio of the aircraft will exceed 1.1.

Song Wencong stared at this fighter plane, which could be said to have poured all his efforts into the past fifteen years, and the corners of his eyes were already slightly red.

In fact, since he became the chief designer of Project Ten, he has been with the aircraft much longer than he has been with his family.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the J-10 is like his own child for him.

The same is true for all the design and manufacturing personnel involved.

There are too many people who have left all their youth, blood and even their lives to Project 10.

"Let's go, let's go over too, don't let the people on site wait too long."

Similar to the first time the prototype 1001 left the assembly hall for engine start-up testing, no one got into the bus that was already prepared next to it, but walked along the side of the taxiway in two groups, left and right.

Xue Chiyu's 28-bar tire was punctured, so he couldn't ride in front like last time, so he had to stand on the pedal next to the front of the aircraft tractor to clear the way for the plane.

However, these regrets were quickly dispelled after arriving at the test flight site-

Almost everyone on the viewing platform stood up the moment they saw the plane appear at the end of the runway.

This is their recognition and respect for this aircraft and the R&D personnel of Project 10.

Chief test pilot Lei Qiang has been waiting here for a long time,

The night before, he had never had insomnia after a history of good mental fitness.

For the test flight mission of Project 10, to say that there is no tension at all is absolutely false.

During the routine physical examination before the flight just now, he directly measured the highest value of 125 when his heartbeat was only in his early 60s.

But the nervousness is not due to concerns for its own safety, but for the plane.

As a member of the test flight team who has participated in the design, development and manufacturing of aircraft since 1993, Lei Qiang's feelings for the J-10 are no less than those of Song Wencong and others.

Without saying a word, he gave a long military salute to Song Wencong and Chang Haonan and the others who were following behind the J-10, and then turned around and boarded the plane.

Chang Haonan listened to Lei Qiang's report before he was reborn, so he remembered very clearly that on the original timeline, Lei Qiang had made a somewhat undisciplined statement before his first flight-

"As long as the plane does not disintegrate in the air, even if it is a crash, I guarantee to fall on the runway!"

But this time, Chang Haonan, who participated in the preparation before the test flight, had never heard of it.

This made him feel a little relieved-

The prototype of the 1001 in the previous life did have a lot of ups and downs before its first flight, not to mention being seriously injured twice by an engine accident, and there were also many minor problems in the taxiing test, so the test flight date was postponed for almost half a year.

And now, his research results have escorted the aircraft all the way to the first flight.

The confidence of the test flight team is obviously much more abundant because of this.

……

On the other side, Lei Qiang, who was sitting in the cockpit of the plane, took two deep breaths and began to check the movements and switches of the plane one by one according to the process.

When his attention was focused on flying, his heart gradually relaxed with the movements of his hands.

Such are the qualities of a top test pilot.

It's not that they won't be nervous.

Rather, they can overcome tension.

"The ground inspection process is complete, and the engine is ready to start."

Lei Qiang's voice came over the radio, which had completely calmed down.

"Roger, ready to start the engine."

Xin Xiaowen replied.

With a short, slight vibration, the characteristic roar of the jet engine sounded.

This usually high-pitched noise sounded like fairy music in the ears of everyone at the scene.

The engine started successfully.

Soon, the auxiliary vehicles around the aircraft were withdrawn one after another, and the first flight officially began.

Lei Qiang, who was in the cockpit, pushed the throttle valve with his left hand while keeping his eyes on the tachometer.

He pushed harder than usual, and a little more stiffly, like a rookie who was sitting in the cabin of a fighter jet for the first time.

In the old planes, and even some early third-generation aircraft, the engine speed change was completely following the action of the throttle valve.

If it's in a car, it might be called "driving fun", but it's definitely not in the case of an airplane.

Flying a plane only needs to be safe, not fun.

Changing the throttle position too aggressively or too often can lead to engine failure, so requiring pilots to keep an eye on the engine's performance in even the most intense air battles is a huge additional burden.

But on this plane, the speed of the tachometer hand is only evenly faster, but it is not the slightest bit unstable because of the jerky movement.

Obviously, the engine stability control system in the flight control program is working.

"It's a perfect ......"

Lei Qiang thought in his heart.

The increase in speed is a faithful response to the pilot's intention to push the rod suddenly, that is, to accelerate violently.

The uniform speed is to help the pilot ensure the stability of the aircraft's working condition.

For a veteran test pilot like him, who has flown tens of thousands of hours and more than 20 models, this function may not be very important.

But for the wider range of ordinary pilots, it was simply a leap from manual to automatic.

Moreover, this automatic transmission is also an AT transmission with smooth shifting logic and extremely perfect tuning.

When the engine revved up to 30%, he released the brake lever.

The plane began to accelerate lightly on the taxiway and soon reached the intended take-off position.

Through the corner of his eye, Lei Qiang noticed through the rearview mirror in the cockpit that many people were wiping tears at the end of the runway and on the management platform.

On another runway not far away, a Coach 8 seconded from a brother unit was also accelerating.

Sitting on it were Li Yong, the chief escort test pilot, and a photographer.

The Rongfei test flight station originally only arranged one Jianjiao 5 to accompany the flight, but at Chang Haonan's insistence, it was still changed to a model with better cockpit conditions and vision conditions.

Chang Haonan, who had been a companion before, knew that with the cockpit vision of Jianjiao 5, which was worse than Jianjiao 7, it was almost impossible to take any good photos.

On the one hand, after the first flight, these photos are needed to confirm some of the situation.

On the other hand, it is Chang Haonan's selfishness -

The business of military propaganda still has to be grasped in advance......

Lei Qiang pushed the throttle valve again, allowing the engine speed to gradually increase to the maximum.

The prototype 1001 took only about 300 meters of runway to reach ground speed, which was even faster than the trainer aircraft following it.

Lei Qiang's right hand gently pulled the lever back, and the canard wing immediately rotated lightly, faithfully feeding the head-up torque back to the plane.

Just this one action shows the agility of the aerodynamic design of the J-10 as it is.

Because almost at the same time as he pulled the rod, with a feeling of overweight, the prototype No. 1001 officially made its first flight!

In the afternoon, there will be a wave of monthly passes~

(End of chapter)