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

Chapter 218 What the veterans can't handle, let the novices do!

"Liangzi, didn't you want to buy a batch of tractors for your villagers? Let's go to Chang'an and get a batch from the Chang'an Tractor Factory. We can then transport them back by plane!"

Although large strategic transport aircraft are still in the design stage, the Y-8 is still available. It can transport 30 to 40 tractors at a time.

"Alright," Qin Liang agreed. "It'll be dark by the time we get there today, let's leave tomorrow!"

Flight Test Center.

Winter mornings are always foggy, which can make people feel a bit down.

Inside the conference room, David's engineer, Caspi, shook his head helplessly: "The Super-7 is still too small, so it can't carry our Python-3 missile. I can only apologize for that, but... we have already signed a cooperation agreement, so this cannot be returned. Of course, you have other aircraft that can carry it, so this missile is not wasted."

"The Super-7 is our main export aircraft. Paired with the advanced Python-3 missile, its combat effectiveness can be taken to another level. We must attach it to it. Mr. Caspi, can you think of any other solutions?" Old Tu asked anxiously.

The PL-2 and PL-5 only have the capability for tail-chase attacks, while only the Monster Serpent-3 possesses the capability for head-on attacks. This is a crucial weapon that allows the Super-7 fighter jet to unleash its full potential! It would be a great pity if it couldn't be equipped with it!

“We’ve already thought of ways,” Caspi said, “but none of them can solve this problem, and for that, we can only apologize!”

Outside, the roar of airplanes could be heard.

"Old Tu, someone's arrived at the Capital Airport Terminal!"

"Oh."

"Qin Liang is here too!"

"What? Let's go, let's go out and see!" Old Tu immediately stood up. No one else mattered, Qin Liang was the most important. As long as he came, he would definitely have a solution!

By this time, the sun had risen, and the fog was slowly dissipating. Golden sunlight streamed through the fog, as if the sun had broken through the clouds to reveal itself.

The Y-8 landed and came to a steady stop on the tarmac, where Tu Lao and the others rushed over.

"Liangzi, you've finally arrived! Show us how you can improve this Super 7 to fight the Monster Snake-3."

"Ahem, Elder Tu, I don't understand. How many times have we fired these missiles?"

"We've fired five shots already. Each time, the plane stalls. Luckily, we're at a good altitude, and the engines have good in-flight start-up capabilities, otherwise..."

For single-engine fighter jets, an engine failure in mid-air is extremely dangerous. If not handled carefully or properly, it could result in the destruction of the aircraft and loss of life!

"Who are the people who fired the missiles?"

"Our veteran test pilots, Old Wang, went up twice, Old Li, went up twice, and Old Zhao..."

"Are they all veterans? Since the older ones aren't up to par, should we get a new pilot?"

The leader of the flight test institute frowned: "Our flight test institute doesn't have any new pilots. The youngest are all veterans who have been flying for more than five years. Why do you want a new one?"

"If the veterans can't do it, what if the newbies can?"

If anyone else had said this, everyone would have scorned them, but it was Qin Liang who said it! Now everyone knows how capable Qin Liang is, so they have to consider things from his perspective.

This is about putting yourself in someone else's shoes. If an experienced person can't do it, a beginner can give it a try!
"If we're talking about beginners, the only options are the nearby flight schools. Go and get someone to bring over the list of flight schools so Comrade Qin Liang can choose one!"

There are no newer students than those at the flight school!
At this moment, Qin Liang felt a little uneasy. Flight school? Was Lei Zi at flight school? Or had he gone to the military?

When the list arrived, Qin Liang was immediately relieved; Lei Qiang was right at the top!
"Is this ranking based on flight performance?"

“That’s right.” The leader next to him spoke up: “The pilot at the top grew up listening to the sound of airplanes. His father served in the Far East and was also an excellent veteran pilot. He was born in 1958 and enlisted in the military in 1977. He will graduate from flight school this year and is scheduled to be assigned to the military. The first unit in the Air Force to be equipped with the Super-7 has already taken a liking to him and plans to select this promising candidate!”

"Okay, then let him fly!"

Two hours later, the surrounding fog had completely dissipated, and Lei Zi arrived at the flight test institute by car.

"Report, Lei Qiang, a cadet from Class 78 of the Air Force Flight School, is here on orders!"

"Hmm, not bad, you have a lot of drive!" Old Lin nodded in satisfaction and glanced at him. "You flew the Super-7 a few times at flight school, right?"

In order to select pilots for the Super-7, the Air Force sent the first two Super-7s to flight schools. The best flight cadets will have the opportunity to fly the Super-7 a few times before graduation, and will only receive basic flight training. This will also help select the most suitable pilots for the Super-7.

Once the Super 7 two-seat trainer version is available, it will be possible to train a large number of Super 7 pilots.

"Yes, it flew over five takeoffs and landings!"

"Alright, I'm assigning you a glorious and arduous task this time!"

"Yes, I promise to complete the mission!"

An hour of intensive training taught Lei Zi how to fire missiles. The Davids shook their heads repeatedly, thinking it was utter nonsense! They didn't have high hopes for novices firing the latest missiles, but they didn't say anything.

After lunch, at two o'clock in the afternoon.

Under everyone's gaze, Lei Zi stepped into the cockpit.

"Lei Zi, be careful. If the engine stops in a moment, don't panic. That yellow button is the engine start button..." Old Tu climbed up and gave Lei Qiang another few more instructions.

It was all Qin Liang's bad idea to let a novice fire a missile, especially one that always stalls in mid-air. You're just making things difficult for him...

After giving instructions for a long time, Tu finally came down, removed the gangway, closed the cockpit canopy, and amidst everyone's anticipation, the Super 7 taxied, took off, and completed the operation in one smooth motion.

"Impressive! That takeoff maneuver was just as good as our veteran pilots'!" The test pilots gave a thumbs up.

"If Lei can solve this problem, we'll have to have a good drink with him!"

Amidst everyone's exclamations, the plane rapidly climbed and soon reached its test flight altitude.

"003 reporting, we have reached an airspace of 6,000 meters, speed of 800 km/h, requesting launch!"

The problem to be solved now is that the aircraft shuts down after launching the missile, so there are no target drones or anything like that; all we need to do is launch the missile.

"You may launch, but please be careful."

"Yes."

At that moment, everyone on the ground held their breath, quietly waiting for the sound from the radio, in case an emergency call came later, it meant the car would stop again!

One second, two seconds, three seconds... time seemed to drag on forever.

"003 reporting, the missile has been launched!"

"003, how's your engine?"

"Engine functioning normally, requesting return to base!"

"You can return to base!"

All eyes turned to Qin Liang: "Liangzi, how did you know?" A problem that even seasoned pilots couldn't solve was solved by a rookie? Although no one said it aloud, some doubts about Qin Liang remained, but now, those doubts vanished completely!
We really need to change our perspective on problems!
"Well... I was just thinking that if an experienced person can't solve a problem, it's because they have too much experience. If we bring in someone without experience, they won't operate according to experience, and maybe that will work. Of course, it's just a matter of luck."

"Who cares if it's a white cat or a black cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat!" Old Lin said. "I don't know how your brain works, there's practically no problem you can't solve!"

Qin Liang smiled and said, "Lei Zi is the one who solved the problem. Let's ask him how he did it when he comes down."

David was already on the runway. They were the most curious after learning that the problem had been solved. In their judgment, it was impossible for Super 7 to fire medium-range missiles anymore. Unexpectedly, this novice had actually solved it!
The fighter jets roared back and landed with perfect stability. As soon as they came to a stop, everyone pounced on them.

"Lei Zi, tell me how you felt just now!"

"Well... when the missile was just launched, my mind went completely blank."

Lei Qiang was very embarrassed, after all, he had actually panicked for a few seconds in that situation... However, as a test pilot, he had to share all his experience and not keep anything to himself.

"and then?"

"Then... a few seconds later, I realized what was happening and quickly leveled the plane. I'm sorry, leaders, I have let you down."

"No, no, you did a great job. Liangzi's request to choose a novice was definitely the best solution, hahaha..." Old Tu laughed very brightly.

Experienced pilots, with their missile-firing skills, noticed their aircraft being pulled off course and immediately leveled off, only to find themselves flying right into the thick smoke from the missile engine. Novices, lacking experience, were bewildered after the missile was launched, and their aircraft continued flying for a few more seconds in the skewed posture, thus missing the smoke zone. Once they leveled off, everything was fine!
Although the posture is a bit unseemly, as long as it solves the problem, that's fine! If we include this technique in the training syllabus, we can keep Super 7 constantly equipped with Monster-3!
Just do it!

"Liangzi, you really are amazing!"

Meeting the admiring gazes, Qin Liang smiled slightly.

The Super-7 missiles previously sold to Pakistan were equipped with the Indo-10 and Sidewinder missiles—yes, the same Sidewinder missiles that Pakistan originally possessed. The Super-7 missiles sold to Iraq were equipped with the Indo-10 and PL-5 missiles.
The launches of these missiles went smoothly, but when it came to the Python-3, something went wrong!

The reason is actually quite simple: the Python-3 is the largest short-range air-to-air missile of its time. The Sidewinder missile of the same period weighed only 80 or 90 kilograms, while this thing weighed a whopping 120 kilograms!

Of course, weight isn't everything. After all, there are also medium-range air-to-air missiles. Not only are they big, but their engines also have a lot of thrust, with an instantaneous thrust of up to 7.2 tons when they ignite!
The Super-7 fighter jet uses a foreign turbofan engine, and its afterburner thrust can barely reach this value. If it uses its own turbojet engine, or without afterburner, the thrust is only three or four tons. Moreover, the aircraft itself is not very heavy. Therefore, as soon as a missile is launched, the aircraft cannot withstand it and is directly deflected by the reaction force of the missile launch, which simply means it will roll over.

After the plane rolls over, the pilot will immediately push the control stick to level the plane. However, this will cause the plane to fly right into the thick smoke behind the missile. The plane's engines will then absorb too much smoke, causing them to shut down.

The solution is simple: after the plane flips over, continue flying for a few more seconds until the smoke clears and then level off.

Qin Liang only knew that the J-7 had encountered this problem back then, but he didn't expect that the improved J-7 Super-7 would also have this problem. In the capital, he could explain it clearly in just a few words, but... obviously, this would seem too abrupt. He has already performed incredibly well in the past year and a half. Now, if he solves the problem in just a few words, it would seem too miraculous.
We can only come here to discuss the new pilots and, incidentally, to discover Lei Qiang, this treasure ahead of time. The future test flights of the J-9 are still waiting for him!

"You flatter me, leaders. Now that the problem is solved, you can summarize your experience, and I'm going to the tractor factory!"

What truly persuaded him to come was the tractor! He had to keep his promise to the villagers!

"Don't worry about the tractor, I've already spoken to them, over there..."

The sound of a tractor chugging along rose from afar. Qin Liang looked up and saw plumes of black smoke billowing towards him. The sound of that single-cylinder engine was so pleasant to hear.

When it comes to engines, single-cylinder engines are truly enigmatic; they become stronger when faced with a strong opponent, and you can never truly test their limits!

The drivers, dressed in military overcoats, wearing fur hats and goggles, drove the tractor next to the Y-8 transport vehicle before stopping.

"Comrades, you've worked hard!"

"It's not hard work!" The leader turned off the engine and jumped off. "We should thank Northwestern Polytechnical University for finding a good way out for our Chang'an Tractor Factory!"

Qin Liang asked curiously, "Did Northwestern Polytechnical University design it for you?"

"No, but Northwestern Polytechnical University pointed us in the right direction." This person was none other than factory director Ma Shiyong. For him, the period before the Lunar New Year was like a rollercoaster ride.

They purchased Dongfanghong-150 tractors from the market, disassembled them, and measured them. They found that these tractors were not much different from the hand-held tractors they had produced before. They simply enlarged the gearbox, enlarged the rear axle, and used a steering wheel. Before long, they had produced a batch of these imitations. And then, the surrounding farmers heard about them and came to buy them!

Unexpectedly, these little four-wheeled tractors are so popular! They are now completely confident in getting out of their predicament! Now, upon hearing that Northwestern Polytechnical University needs tractors to pay off its debts, they didn't hesitate and immediately drove over a batch of tractors that they had just assembled!
Qin Liang circled the tractor once: "Hmm, not bad! It looks great, but I wonder about the quality."

"If there are any quality issues, return them to us!" Ma Shiyong puffed out his chest: "How can we cheat our fellow farmers!"

"Remember, quality is the foundation of a company's survival. If this first batch of tractors establishes a good reputation, there will be a steady stream of profits. If this batch gets a bad reputation, farmers will be willing to queue up to buy Dongfanghong tractors."

"Yes!"

"The factory must have dedicated quality inspectors. If any products are found to have quality problems, it is better to scrap them than to let them enter the market. If we persist in this for a few years, it is not a dream for our Chang'an Tractor Factory to surpass Dongfanghong!"

"Ok!"

Qin Liang had never heard of tractors in Chang'an in his later life, so this factory must have gone out of business. As for how it went out of business... it was most likely due to quality issues. He gave them a few instructions, which was his best effort. Then he watched them drain the water from the tractor's water tank, push it into the engine compartment of the Y-8, and then deflate the tires. The air pressure was low at high altitudes, and the tires would explode if they went up there.

"Liangzi, let's go. This is a small matter, you don't need to worry about it. Let's go have a drink!"

"Ahem, Elder Lin, you all go ahead, I'll stay here and keep watch."

"That won't do. You deserve the most credit for solving this problem today, how can you not have a few drinks? Come on, what are you dawdling about, you're such a big man!"

Qin Liang had no choice but to go along.

"With the Python-3's mounting problem solved, our weakness has been completely addressed. From now on, we no longer need to fear any Backfire bombers! Now, let's have a good drink!"

"Old Lin, the payload of the Super-7 is still too low. For our air force, the J-9 is more suitable."

"Of course we know that the J-9 is still under development! However, we believe that the Super-7 can also shoulder its mission! No matter what opponent it encounters, the Super-7 will be able to fight!"

At the same time, on the South Asian subcontinent, at the Mianwali Air Force Base.

The air raid siren suddenly sounded, and Hasmi quickly grabbed his helmet, ran out of the combat readiness duty room, and headed straight for his Super-7 fighter jet.

As I stepped into the cockpit and prepared for takeoff, I heard the control tower's voice through my headset.

"Mianvali calling Eagles! Mianvali calling Eagles! Two targets detected at the eastern border, altitude 18,000, speed 800, are flying toward us. Please scramble immediately to intercept them!"

"Eagle, received!"

With afterburner engaged, the Super-7 fighter jet taxied on the runway, quickly climbed up, and soared into the sky.

The RB199 engine was running at high speed, and the Super-7 fighter jet was also climbing rapidly, soon reaching an altitude of 18,000 meters. Hasmi turned on the onboard radar, and after warming up, two targets appeared on the radar screen.

"Eagle reports: Target spotted, distance 80, speed 2,000, still accelerating, requesting missile launch!"

Pakistan's territory is very short, and planes from the other side can reach key locations in just a few minutes. Therefore, once the other side crosses the border, we must act decisively, regardless of whether it is a stray plane or even a passenger plane. If it comes over, we must shoot it down first!
"You are ready to fire!"

"Eagle received!"

Activate the missile and lock onto the target! After all this was done, the distance between the two sides had been reduced to thirty kilometers, and the target speed had reached 2,500 kilometers per hour. Hasmi took a deep breath and then pressed the launch button on the control stick.

Flames flickered beneath the left wing, and a missile streaked with white smoke as it flew away, its trajectory illuminating the sky!

Hasmi maintained level flight, allowing the nose radar to illuminate the target and guide the missile. Simultaneously, he activated the short-range air-to-air missile; they were about to enter visual range!
(End of this chapter)