Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 206 The Mountain Eagle's First Flight
The biggest problem with tiltrotor aircraft is flight control. Both sides must be synchronized. If not careful, an imbalance may occur, causing the aircraft to lose control and crash. Later generations of American soldiers would rather fly a Black Hawk than an Osprey because the crash rate of that aircraft is too high.

In fact, the biggest problem with the Osprey was its rotary engine design. The engine was not light, and the torque required for rotation was quite large, which meant it could not react quickly. Once it encountered complex airflow, it would lose its balance. Therefore, later improvements were made to rotate only the rotor, which greatly reduced the weight that needed to rotate and made the reaction much faster.

However... this plan certainly cannot be told to the Americans; we must let them go further and further down the wrong path.

Upon hearing Qin Liang's words, the Americans' eyes lit up with excitement: "How do you design a flight control system?"

"Well, I haven't thought about it yet, but I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely overcome all kinds of difficulties."

"That's right! We should work together and cooperate!"

Both sides were saying the most generous things, but in their hearts they were both scheming how to get more things from the other.

However, with Qin Liang's arrival and the cooperation with Boeing finalized, the Boeing engineers, who have been in the East for quite some time, should go back.

That evening, a lively farewell banquet was held at the Huating Hotel.

Yang Duo'er, holding a wine glass, stood beside Qin Liang. She was youthful, beautiful, noble, and elegant, while Qin Liang, handsome and dashing, was beside her. They were a perfect match.

"Partnering with you is the best decision Boeing has ever made!" Dick Taylor said enthusiastically.

"That's natural. Our civil aviation market in the East is already growing rapidly. Our Y-10 passenger aircraft production capacity is insufficient, so we in the East will definitely purchase Boeing passenger aircraft in large quantities. We are now in a win-win situation."

After exchanging pleasantries and enjoying themselves, Old Ma finally approached Qin Liang after the foreigners beside him had left.

"Comrade Qin Liang, the civil aviation authorities have already placed an order for ten aircraft, which will be used primarily as cargo planes. Our Y-10 has come this far thanks to you!"

Qin Liang smiled and said, "My personal strength is insignificant, but the strength of our collective is great. Mr. Ma, the Y-10's success today is the result of the efforts of our entire industry. Of course, the Y-10 still has shortcomings that need to be improved."

The engine isn't good enough? We'll upgrade it with a Spey engine! The segmented forged landing gear and main beams aren't good enough? We'll use a new die forging press! The avionics need to be imported? We'll introduce Marconi technology and improve the avionics level of the entire industry! Now, the Y-10 only has one flaw left!

"Is it controlled by power transmission?" Old Ma asked.

“That’s right!” Qin Liang nodded.

The Y-10 is operated using a combination of steel cables and control plates. The control stick in the pilot's hand is connected to a steel cable, which pulls the aircraft's control surfaces to meet the needs of attitude adjustment. The larger the aircraft, the greater the force required from the pilot's arms. To reduce this force, control plates are added to the control surfaces, and the torque of the control plates helps the control surfaces move.

This method existed as early as World War II, but to say it's outdated... that's not necessarily true. In the 1990s, the McDonnell Douglas 90 also used this method, and in the new millennium, the Boeing 737-NG also used this method. Anyway, in some people's eyes, it's outdated for them to use it, but it's high-end for others to use it.

Of course, there are also more advanced methods. The Airbus A320 was the world's first passenger aircraft to use fly-by-wire control, while Boeing did not adopt fly-by-wire until 94, when the Boeing 777 used it.

As for us...

The J-9 is already using digital fly-by-wire technology. Once these technologies are mastered, they can be transferred to the Y-10. All other equipment will remain the same, except for the servo motors, which will be replaced with larger ones.

However, for safety reasons, a mechanical backup must still be maintained. In case of a malfunction, such as a fatal fall, the fly-by can be disconnected and mechanical operation can be used to save lives.

In fact, the biggest advantage of fly-by-wire is that it enables automated flight. Except for takeoff and landing, which require manual intervention, the flight can be controlled automatically by a computer. This greatly saves the pilot's energy and can even be converted into a two-person pilot system.

For airlines, saving money is the top priority.

Qin Liang was very satisfied with Old Ma's foresight. Since Old Ma had already noticed this situation, it was only natural to entrust him with the corresponding improvement work. Qin Liang believed that Old Ma had the ability to do so.

"Mr. Ma, if we're going to do this, we should do the most advanced passenger plane in the world. I have faith in the capabilities of our Shanghai aircraft factory! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The scenery of Shanghai is captivating; it's an international metropolis, ablaze with lights and bustling activity. Checking into the Huating Hotel, Qin Liang gazed at the vibrant traffic below, his expression complex.

Behind him, Yang Duo'er wrapped her arms around his waist, her face flushed: "Brother Liangzi, what are you looking at?"

"Duoduo, Chang'an is still too backward. Would you like to settle down in Shanghai in the future?"

"No, I prefer the ancient and elegant style of Chang'an. Big cities aren't all that great. I can stay here occasionally, but as for permanent residence... wherever you are, that's where I'll be."

"Ok."

dong dong!

The knocking at the door annoyed Qin Liang. Why would someone come so late? Wasn't this disturbing the couple's intimate moment?
Seeing Qin Liang's unhappy expression, Yang Duo'er smiled and said, "Brother Liang, I'll go see who it is."

"Is Comrade Qin Liang staying here? We are from Base 011. We are so sorry, we were about to leave Shanghai after learning about Comrade Qin Liang's situation, so... we have to visit him so late at night. We are truly sorry."

"Mr. Yu? Please come in, please come in."

Qin Liang still held the 011 base in the third line in high regard, after all, the military workers in the third line really had it tough.

"Comrade Qin Liang, our Super-7 trainer jet is almost finished in production. If you have time, please come to our 011 base to take a look. This trainer jet is about to make its maiden flight."

"So fast?"

"Yes, we didn't expect it to be this fast. The fuselage is mostly similar to the JJ-7 trainer. We can use the existing fuselages in our factory with some modifications. The nose has been significantly modified, but it's not a big problem. Northwestern Polytechnical University is designing it for us on the computer..."

In less than six months, the Super 7 trainer version will be ready. Mr. Yu and his team came to Shanghai to coordinate some airborne parts and equipment and complete the final work.

"Comrade Qin Liang, we heard you got married. Our 011 base doesn't have any decent gifts to offer, so we'd like to invite you to the 011 base to witness the maiden flight of our trainer aircraft as a gift. What do you say?"

This……

"Brother Liangzi, I'd like to see the beautiful landscapes of Guizhou. Shall we go there and enjoy the scenery?"

"Ok."

Base 011: Unforgettable memories for the workers of the Third Front military industry!
The mountains rise and fall majestically, lush and verdant, and a 212 speeds through the ridges.

On the bus, Yang Duo'er looked at the mountains and forests on both sides. Everything was pristine. She never expected that a factory could be built here!
The third-line base was originally very secretive. Not to mention Yang Duo'er, a foreigner, even Qin Liang, an Asian, could not enter without permission.

However, times have changed. The country no longer needs third-line bases and lets them find their own way. As a great contributor to the 011 base, it's perfectly acceptable for Qin Liang to bring his wife over.

"Comrade Qin Liang, we're almost at the guesthouse. Once we get there, you can rest for a bit."

Amidst the grove of trees, a row of buildings suddenly appears, built against the mountainside, blending seamlessly into the landscape.

"Yunma Factory Guesthouse? This building is so unique. If we hadn't been brought here, we would never have been able to find it ourselves!" Yang Duo'er looked at the large sign on the building with a face full of surprise.

“Yes, it’s even more secluded inside,” Qin Liang nodded.

These third-line bases were originally built to preserve industrial strength. Dispersion and concealment are basic requirements. The reconnaissance satellites overhead will never be able to find them!

The guesthouse is a three-story building built against the mountain. Moreover, the exterior of the building is covered with ivy, making it blend into the outside world. The slogans inside can be vaguely seen on the green walls.

Good people, good horses, go to the third front, prepare for war, prepare for famine, serve the people.

"A product of a special era!" Qin Liang remarked with deep emotion.

A large group of people were standing at the entrance. "Comrade Qin Liang, welcome to Yunma Factory! I'm the factory director, just call me Lao Zhao."

Yunma Machinery Manufacturing Plant, the main factory and largest factory of Base 011, covers an area of ​​more than 43 square meters and stretches across eight kilometers of mountain valleys. The outermost part is the living area, while the inner part contains the factory's production workshops, airstrips, and so on.

To accommodate the needs of nearly 10,000 people, the area boasts comprehensive supporting facilities, including family housing, a school for employees' children, a factory-affiliated hospital, a supply and marketing cooperative, a cinema, and much more.

However, the third-tier base is in an awkward position. It was built not long ago, and the country no longer wants it! Without projects, tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs, and they are very anxious.

And now, the 011 base is able to come back to life entirely thanks to Qin Liang! Zhao Jianjun, the factory director of Yunma Factory, was filled with gratitude towards Qin Liang, and he warmly extended his hand.

"Yes, it's an honor to visit." Qin Liang shook hands warmly with the other person: "What are the plans for today?"

"Let's take a walk around our living area today and visit our Third Front base. After dinner, we can go to the cinema to watch a movie. Today's show is 'Black Triangle.' Of course, you can choose any movie you want to watch."

"Black Triangle" belongs to the most popular anti-espionage films of this era. Moreover, compared with the propaganda and didactic mode that was common in past anti-espionage films, this film has been elevated, cleverly integrating elements of suspense, reasoning, thriller and action. It revolves around a case of the theft of a 110 civil defense project that is related to national security, and the two sides engage in a fierce battle.

This movie is very popular in China, and it's completely different from Hollywood. Yang Duo'er has never seen it before, so let's take her to experience an Eastern movie theater. I just don't know if they have popcorn.

The next day, early in the morning.

Factory Director Zhao personally picked up the two of them, and they boarded bus 212 to continue their journey through the mountain valleys.

"After we pass the Cultural Palace, we will enter Area Two. The caves over there are three warehouses, mainly used to store dangerous goods."

Looking over, Qin Liang saw three very hidden cave entrances on the lush green mountain, much like terraced fields. Needless to say, they were indistinguishable from the sky, and even he wouldn't have noticed them up close if Director Zhao hadn't pointed them out.

"Um... Brother Liangzi, Director Zhao, is the security level here very high? Am I... suitable to come here?" Yang Duo'er asked somewhat shyly. Now, of course, she could see just how confidential this place was.

"Of course, Comrade Yang. You are Comrade Qin Liang's wife, so you are also our benefactor!"

"Ahem, Director Zhao, please don't say that. We just happened to run into them and offered to help out," Qin Liang said. "It's nothing."

"For you, it's just a small favor, but for our 011 base, it's a matter of life and death. Comrade Qin Liang, we in the East have always valued even the smallest act of kindness..."

"Ahem, stop talking, let's talk about the base instead."

There's an old saying that goes, "A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment."
"Further ahead is the 141 cave factory, which was originally planned as the aircraft final assembly workshop, but..."

But this cave isn't suitable!
The principle back then was to be close to the mountains, disperse, and move into caves. However, the superiors always complained that it wasn't hidden enough and insisted that we move into a cave. The cave factory in front of us is T-shaped inside, 800 meters long, 7 meters wide, and has a total area of ​​5,700 square meters. It took four whole years to excavate this cave.

However, once the cave was excavated and put into production, it was discovered that the inside was damp, and many of the finished parts rusted before they could even be assembled, making them unusable!

So, having no other choice, they built a huge factory outside the cave.

The aircraft assembly workshop was actually built inside a cave! Yang Duo'er was also greatly amazed.

"After passing through Tunnel 141, you'll reach Factory 180. Our aircraft final assembly takes place in this factory." Director Zhao pointed to the continuous rows of buildings in the distance, with arched roofs one after another, forming a huge factory area.

The reinforced concrete building is 217 meters long and 108 meters wide, covering an area of ​​more than 240,000 square meters.

This factory building is the core of Base 011. In later generations, before the base was relocated, the JJ-7 trainer jet was produced here.

At this moment, without even entering the factory, you can see a training aircraft parked at the end of the runway outside the factory. Countless people are circling around the aircraft, including workers in work clothes and cadres wearing four-pocket uniforms. Old Yu is busy directing the operation.

The cockpit, which is lower in the front and higher in the rear, offers good visibility both forwards and backwards. The two air intakes below the cockpit look so harmonious and perfect. The double delta wing layout, along with the flap design, greatly improves the performance at low and medium altitudes. The only drawback is... the engine.

"With this design, the aircraft's drag increases further. Even with our WP-7 turbojet engine, the maximum speed is estimated to be around Mach 1.5, or even lower," said Mr. Yu. "Now, if only we had an advanced medium-thrust engine!"

"Well, we don't need to worry about exports; we can match them according to user needs. As for our own use, we'll still have to rely on the WP-7 turbojet for now. Anyway, our trainer aircraft don't need to fly too fast."

As long as you fly above the speed of sound and experience the feeling of supersonic flight, it doesn't really matter whether the speed is Mach 2, Mach 1.5, or even Mach 1.3.

"Yes, it doesn't need to fly too fast; maneuverability is key," said Old Yu. "We have confidence in this trainer aircraft. Our domestic air force needs at least a hundred of them, and as for foreign countries..."

Overseas, they still have to rely on Qin Liang's salesmanship.

"There will be a market overseas too. I think we can sell at least two hundred units!"

"Great, with you saying that, we have confidence!"

"Report: The aircraft has completed all inspections and is ready for flight!"

"Okay, let's get the plane airborne!" With trembling hands, Old Yu signed the launch order. Two pilots, carrying flight helmets, came over to hand over the plane to Old Yu and then climbed into the cockpit.

With the roar of the engines, the trainer aircraft glided lightly on the runway, raising its front landing gear and lifting its rear landing gear off the ground! The entire aircraft, like an eagle, soared into the sky.

Everyone stared at it, their eyes glistening with tears.

With the takeoff of this aircraft, their 011 base is also about to take off!

"Comrade Qin Liang, our plane doesn't have an official name yet! What do you think would be a good name for it?"

"Old Yu, I don't know about this either. Our 011 base is located in a remote mountain valley. The fighter jets we launch resemble eagles. How about calling it Mountain Eagle?"

“Okay, let’s call it the Mountain Eagle trainer jet. Everyone at our Third Line 011 Base will remember this day: December 24, 1979. Our Mountain Eagle finally took flight!” Old Yu’s voice trembled.

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted, and many people had tears streaming down their faces. They had waited a long time for this day!

"Brother Liangzi, Brother Liangzi, what are you staring at?" Yang Duo'er looked at Qin Liang, who was in a daze.

Qin Liang smiled and said, "I didn't know either, time flies so fast! A month has passed since the hostage incident, and a new international event is about to begin. I've been waiting for this big event for a long time!"
At the crossroads of Central and South Asia, and the transit point between East and West Asia, lies a special country known as the "Heart of Asia".

Most of China is mountainous and plateau, with an average altitude of about 1,000 meters. Such a country has always been difficult to conquer, and historically, it has become a place where great powers compete.

Back then, when Tsarist Russia wanted to move south and gain access to the Indian Ocean, the British Empire waged a fierce war to stop them.

Now, the Soviet Union is about to launch another attack in order to gain access to the sea to the south. This war will ultimately end in defeat! In fact, the collapse of the Soviet Union was closely related to this war.

In the new century, the Americans jumped in again, but eventually had to withdraw their troops. So, this place became a famous graveyard of empires!

"Brother Liangzi, Brother Liangzi?"

"Uh-huh."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking, the peaceful and stable environment we have now is truly hard-won!"

　PS: Control diagram for the steel cable adjusting plate.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)