Tales of the Groundbound:Unproven. Experimental. Prototype, Chapter 35

[steuben]

Chapter 35

Gus stood in the control tower, binoculars hung down around his neck The latest proof of concept plane sat at the end of the runway. The design team though it could make orbit and come back. “Around the world as many times as you want on one tank of gas,” he thought. He listened to the chatter of the observation planes as they manoeuvered in KSC’s airspace.

“Starting engine check,” Bill’s voice came tinny over the radio. “Engine block Ay-one green and standby.”

“If it can make it to orbit and back,” Gus thought. “It can easily make it to any of the KOL stations.”

“Engine block Ay-two, green and standby.”

“This design would be nothing more than a mail packet. But it should he able to scale up… with better engines. It won’t replace the rockets. But, it could be a good supplement.”

“Engine block Ess-one, green and standby. All systems green. Pre-lift check complete.”

“Okay guys,” Gus said, cueing the radio. “You ready?”

“Roger,” from Bill

“Let’s see what this bird can do,” from Jeb.

“Jeb, this is just a straight line flight,” said Gus. “Take her up, go around the block a couple of times, and bring her home.”

“Don’t worry.” Jeb chuckled. “I don’t want Bill making a mess in here. Can’t quite open a window to air the cabin out.”

“Geez,” Bill said. “You get airsick once…”

“Alright,” Gus said. “Take ‘er up. I’ll see you back at the hanger.”

“The first round at the plant is on you,” Jeb said. “Break. KSC Air control, Pocket-108 requesting clearance to taxi to runway 90 Heavy for take-off.”

“Pocket-108, Tower. You are cleared using taxiway A.”

“Tower, 108. Ack, taxiway A”

Gus heard the echo of words through his headset.

Gus watched as Pocket-108 left the hanger and rolled to the runway. It was a design that looked like it would work. But, it had only been flown previously by the computers, on paper.”

“Tower, 108. In position on 90 Heavy, requesting take-off permission.”

The controller looked over at Gus. Gus nodded.

“108, Tower. You are cleared for take-off. Be advised, hand-off to KSC space control will occur at angels 35.”

“Tower, 108. Ack. Cleared for take-off. See y’all on the brown side.”

Gus watched as the four turbo ramjet engines throttled up and mach diamonds flickered in and out of existence and danced behind the plane.

“Hey Gus,” Jeb said over a second channel. “This ain’t a stamp run. But, it is the top of the envelope.”

“I know,” Gus said. “But, it’s the kind of bird you fly best.”

It slowly rolled down the runway picking up speed. It accelerated rapidly past the hanger as the mach diamonds stabilized.

An experimental airframe, unproven design, and prototype engines operating beyond their rating. The only thing now lifting off the runway that Gus was sure of was Bill and Jeb.

Edited November 8, 2019 by steuben