CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 428 GROUND TECHNICIAN

Within a contingency airport in Yu City, a long-stored Yun-9 aircraft was newly maintained, waiting for the arrival of Chen Xin along with a group of ground crew.

Since the disaster struck, all aircraft nationwide had been grounded, leaving those ground crew members who typically maintained the aircraft with nothing to do.

Though they still had to maintain the aircraft to prevent aging or damage due to disuse, this was much less work compared to their usual workload, causing the ground crew to become quite idle.

Of course, the state did not intend for these individuals to remain idle indefinitely; aside from periodic maintenance of stored aircraft, they were also temporarily transferred to work in other departments.

It was only upon learning that Chen Xin needed an aircraft for a retrofit study that this ground crew team was recalled temporarily.

This sudden recall was a bit abrupt for the ground crew. Nearly overnight, they completed the maintenance of the stored Yun-9, then gathered again after a brief rest to await Chen Xin’s arrival.

"What do you think the higher-ups mean by suddenly summoning us? Could it be that these planes are allowed to fly again?" A sturdy ground technician inquired among others, speculating on the state’s intention for gathering them so suddenly.

Another ground technician appeared somewhat weary, with sagging facial features as if he hadn’t rested well in a long time. He picked up the topic and replied, "Probably not able to fly? When I was temporarily assigned to Army Aviation to help install air filters on helicopters, I asked them, and they said jet aircraft were still unable to fly."

"What? Installing air filters on helicopters? Who came up with that? Does it work?" The sturdy ground technician expressed surprise at the news and speculated, "Could it be they’re calling us to install air filters on the Yun-9 as well?"

"It seems to work for the helicopters over there; at least the Z-20 is able to fly. But for the Yun-9..." The weary ground technician shook his head, yawned, and continued, "The Yun-9’s intake is much larger than the Z-20’s. Installing air filters may not solve the problem, right?

Plus, I heard from the ground crew over there that even though it can fly, the aircraft’s payload has decreased significantly, and the air filter still affects the intake volume."

"Oh well, never mind why they called us here. It’s good enough to be back fixing planes; I don’t want to go back to moving supplies in the warehouse every day," another ground technician commented with a sigh.

While a group of ground technicians chatted idly, Chen Xin finally arrived at the contingency airport with several staff members.

"Stop talking, they’ve arrived!" someone with sharp eyes spotted Chen Xin and others coming in and shouted to alert the rest.

All the ground technicians quickly stopped their conversation and gathered together, looking somewhat nervous as Chen Xin and his group approached them.

"Let me introduce, this is Academician Chen Xin from the Academy, and he will be in charge of the modifications to the Yun-9 transport aircraft for the next week. You are required to assist Academician Chen in completing the related tasks during this week," a staff member introduced Chen Xin to the ground technicians, explaining the task.

While the staff emphasized the importance of the task, Chen Xin also observed this group of ground technicians.

Though they were not exactly emaciated, many showed pale complexions due to a long lack of sun exposure, coupled with some nutritional deficiencies, making them look unhealthy. A few even had dark circles under their eyes, bearing tired expressions.

Chen Xin knew they had only just completed the urgent maintenance of the Yun-9 last night, so it was understandable that they were tired. After the staff finished speaking, Chen Xin addressed the ground technicians, "You must have performed the maintenance on this Yun-9 overnight? Those who are too tired can go rest first; I don’t need so many of you at the moment. Just leave a few to help."

After speaking, Chen Xin turned to the staff member, handing him a USB drive. "This contains some parts needed for the modification. Please arrange to have them made as soon as possible."

"Okay, I’ll arrange it now," the staff member replied, nodding before turning and leaving without further formalities.

A week’s time is indeed tight, leaving no room for pleasantries.

After the staff member left, Chen Xin looked at the ground technicians in front of him. A few indeed looked too weary to hold on much longer, wanting to rest but hesitated to be the first to leave.

Seeing this, Chen Xin did not say much more but picked two ground technicians who seemed in better shape to partner with him as they headed toward the Yun-9.

The remaining ground technicians exchanged looks. A few who were truly exhausted finally greeted the others and went to a room on the side to rest.

This contingency airport had accommodations for the ground technicians to rest.

Meanwhile, Chen Xin had arrived under the wing of the Yun-9, looking up at one of the engine’s air intakes and asked the ground technicians beside him, "Can you disassemble the entire engine along with the intake duct and the propeller?"

"The process is rather complex, but it’s doable," the sturdy ground technician next to Chen Xin nodded, indicating no issue.

"Then take one apart first. I’ve sent someone to make the air filter; let’s see if there are any modifications that can be made to the engine and intake duct." Chen Xin instructed the ground technicians beside him, and then he had someone bring over a ladder, which he set up beneath the wing, climbing up to closely inspect the intake duct.

The Yun-9’s intake duct isn’t small; although not as exaggerated as a jet engine’s intake taking up the entire front, it’s still sizable enough for someone to climb inside.

In fact, checking and maintaining the aircraft’s intake duct usually requires someone to climb inside, tasks typically handled by the ground crew.

For instance, after a fighter jet returns from flight, even before the temperature inside the intake duct dissipates, these ground technicians must crawl in to check for abnormalities or damage and promptly conduct repairs and handling.

Now, standing on the ladder, Chen Xin observed the dark intake duct, rubbed his chin, and released some nanomolecules from his wristwatch, forming measurement tools to conduct measurements on the intake duct.

Although the modification is just a notion for Chen Xin, the exact nature of this notion still requires careful thought on his part.

As Chen Xin contemplated, a few ground technicians gathered tools and began following his instructions to dismantle the engine.