Chapter 282

Chapter 282: The Instructor Without Carrier-Based Aircraft Experience

“Good afternoon, everyone! I am Lin Mo, ‘Lin’ from the double trees, and ‘Mo,’ which means silence is golden! I come from the ‘Chicken Coop!’" As Lin Mo stood up when Major Zou Rong gestured, he followed Zou’s lead and saluted everyone. This respect from a junior to a senior knew no age, gender, or background; otherwise, it could come across as being arrogant.

No one may openly express anything, but if some people were a bit petty, they could secretly cause small troubles, which would be quite a headache.

Among everyone, Lin Mo was not only the lowest-ranked but undoubtedly also the youngest. His experience level was also a topic; if it weren’t for the real achievements he had earned, he might not have qualified to be a carrier-based aircraft instructor on China’s first aircraft carrier training ship, let alone be a pilot.

These days, having the first opportunity often means having the greatest advantage.

In fact, many flying cadets held higher ranks and longer service times than Lin Mo. However, further information was known only to a few; Lin Mo’s impressive solo performance with the P-51 "Mustang" and his stunning landing were enough to silence any doubters.

Pilots could not afford any shortcuts. A journey over two thousand kilometers across the vast sea, overcoming wind shear and performing emergency landings—all these tested technical abilities.

The military is a place where strength reigns supreme; most personnel are in combat roles rather than administrative positions. Exceptional skills naturally earn respect.

As Lin Mo finished speaking, he received warm applause from the fourteen carrier-based aircraft instructors.

Zou Rong breathed a sigh of relief. These seasoned instructors showed no signs of underestimating this newcomer, and he hoped this would set a positive tone. He was genuinely pleased to welcome such a skilled instructor to the Shilang.

"Chicken Coop" was how pilots identified their home base, and some well-informed instructors smiled knowingly, recognizing the significance behind the term.

Sometimes, one mustn’t be too low-key; relying solely on skill might not be enough. A more convincing background was often needed.

Like a general born from humble beginnings, despite countless achievements, others would still regard him with skepticism. However, coming from a long line of military families naturally reduced such doubts.

In China’s Air Force, this seemingly insignificant base, "Chicken Coop," often bore associations with "elites" and "aces."

As the applause faded, Lin Mo continued his self-introduction at the right moment: "I have 870 flight hours and experience flying the J-10 ‘Mighty Dragon’, FC-1 ‘FC-1 Fighter Jet’, J-14 ‘Eagle Falcon’, J-20 ‘War Dragon’, MiG-21 ‘Fish Nest’, F-14 ‘Tomcat’, and the P-51 ‘Mustang’. I specialize in ground attacks and dogfights."

His wealth of aircraft experience was comparable to that of test pilots, even including aircraft not yet in service like the J-14 and J-20.

In fact, Lin Mo had also contributed as a test pilot on occasion.

His straightforward introduction allowed his future colleagues to quickly understand his experience.

"Haha, Captain Lin truly is a jack-of-all-trades, having flown so many types of aircraft. Let me add that Captain Lin holds the tactical level of ACE," Zou Rong chimed in enthusiastically. The instructors, momentarily dazed by Lin Mo’s impressive list of aircraft, stared at each other in disbelief.

ACE?! The ace of air battles.

How difficult it must be! In peacetime, there aren’t many enemy aircraft to shoot down. If it weren’t for a chance encounter with some clumsy intruder, how would one have the opportunity to paint stars on their aircraft?

Moreover, you need at least four shootdowns to be considered an ace, which means foes have to come rushing at you, begging for experience points.

"That’s right, a genuine ACE!" Zou Rong confirmed the astonished looks from the others.

"That’s impressive! Truly admirable!"

"An ACE! At such a young age! A bright future ahead!"

Military honors can’t be faked; applause erupted once more in Conference Room 12, even more fervent than when Lin Mo introduced himself.

"Strange, I wonder if I misheard. Captain Lin spoke about flying so many fighter jets—there must be seven types at least—but didn’t mention any carrier-based aircraft? Did anyone else catch that?"

One attentive instructor noticed the peculiarity in Lin Mo’s introduction, drawing the curiosity and surprise of the others.

"Ah, it seems true, there really aren’t any."

"Yeah, I didn’t notice it until you said it."

"How can one be a teacher without carrier-based aircraft experience? This can’t be right."

Another careful instructor pointed out the oddity in Lin Mo’s self-introduction, piquing the curiosity of the other instructors.

The new instructor, who has flown many fighter jets, should be considered experienced, yet he has never piloted the J-15 "Dark Sabre".

The "Shilang" is conducting training for aircraft carrier-based aircraft, but the new Captain Lin has no experience flying carrier-based aircraft. He should be coming in as a student, so how can he be an instructor? Isn’t that a joke?

"Yes! Major Zou, you must be mistaken. Captain Lin should be a student, right?" someone immediately questioned. "Captain Lin, please don’t take it personally; I’m not targeting you. Don’t be upset. As long as the higher-ups haven’t made a mistake, I have no objections. I will follow orders."

"Hey, Wang Xin, why worry? Whether he’s an instructor or a student, does it matter for an ace pilot? Either way, once you are here, you’re not leaving. Take some time to spar with me. It’s rare to meet a true ace. My hands are itching to fly!"

"And me too, Captain Lin! If you have time, let’s have a match. It doesn’t matter if you can’t use the ‘Dark Sabre’; I’ll teach you how. You’ll be fine! Just pay a bit of attention to takeoff and landing; other than that, it’s the same as a land-based fighter. Ground or sea targets are pretty similar."

"I want in too! Count me as well!"

"…"

When the first instructor, eager to spar with an ace pilot, issued a challenge, it immediately sparked a competitive spirit among many, eager to set up training matches with Lin Mo. They quickly forgot about his lack of experience with carrier-based aircraft.

In the world of skills, there’s no first or second; real combat experience is the best way to improve one’s techniques.

"Quiet down, quiet down!" Major Zou clapped his hands, bringing these distracted individuals back to focus. "Stop the noise! You can arrange your own matches with Captain Lin later. Let me remind you not to go overboard; this is the military, not your family game room. As for Lin Mo’s instructor status, it is absolutely legitimate. The higher-ups must have their reasons for assigning Lieutenant Lin to us, and I hope everyone can support each other and improve our teaching quality together."

"Even though I haven’t flown a carrier-based aircraft, now that I’m here, I’ll start as a student before becoming a teacher. You don’t have to treat me like an ACE; I can’t handle that. However, I believe I’ll master the techniques for carrier-based aircraft soon enough," Lin Mo confidently stated. Before the mission, he had reviewed the operational guidelines and related materials for the J-15 "Dark Sabre", so he wasn’t entirely unprepared.

When you understand one principle, you can grasp many. With so much flying experience, Lin Mo has already mastered operations for various types of fighter jets and can infer the performance and flying techniques from their design parameters.

"Don’t worry, Captain Lin; from now on, we’re a family, hahaha! I can’t wait!"

The Major with the surname Cang was definitely the most lively instructor, already imagining how to show this new instructor a thing or two.

"Captain Lin has introduced himself; now you should show a bit of sincerity."

"Right, right! I almost forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Wu, Wu Nanjie, instructor team leader, flight code ‘Landmine’. Welcome to our big family!"

A colonel was the first to stand up and walk over to shake hands with Lin Mo.

"Hello, Team Leader Wu!" Lin Mo smiled and shook his hand.

Next, a lieutenant colonel greeted Lin Mo, saying, "I’m Cang Zilong! Code name ‘Purple Dragon’, deputy leader of the instructor group! I’ll take you to see the planes later; I promise to let you pick the best ride."

"Deputy Leader Cang, your special move must be ‘Lushan Rising Dragon Strike’, right?"

"Huh? How did you know? Hahaha, just kidding! I don’t have such a special move, haha."

"I’m Wang Xin, code name ‘Guardian’."

"I’m Shen Yu, code name ‘Killer’."

"I’m Luo Hongshi, code name ‘Psyduck’."

The serious instructors then took turns introducing themselves to Lin Mo, who memorized each name.

At the head of the conference table, Major Zou sighed in relief. These carrier-based aircraft instructors, who were all elite squad leaders elsewhere, had accepted the new young captain without any issues.

"Let’s go, let’s go! We’re heading to the hangar to greet the students; it’s not enough to stay here," suggested the major named Wang Xin. Pilots feel most at ease in the hangar and the skies, not in a conference room.

"Good! We’ll take Instructor Lin along to take a look."

The instructor team leader readily agreed with Major Wang’s suggestion, clasping Lin Mo’s hand. "Let’s go, Instructor Lin, and get familiar with the environment and the personnel."

Whether or not he has experience flying carrier-based aircraft isn’t that important. For an ace pilot with excellent air combat skills, one principle leads to understanding many; as long as he masters takeoff and landing, flying in the sky is essentially the same as flying a land-based aircraft.

Under the flight deck of the "Shilang" aircraft carrier, each parking position housed a fighter jet, mainly the J-15 "Dark Sabre", with a few helicopters, the Z-8 and Z-9, serving as transportation for the fleet and landing operations.