Touch And Go's And Go Arounds

Another week and a half had passed since Furina's successful first simulator session with Chief Pilot Clorinde. In that short span of time, Furina had completed four more simulator sessions. Each one built upon the last, pushing her limits and refining her skills. If she had been meeting expectations before, now she was blowing them out of the water. Even senior pilots with decades of experience at Air Fontania found themselves nodding in approval when her name came up in conversation.

"She's got something special," one of them had remarked during a casual break in the staff lounge. The sentiment seemed to echo throughout the airline—Furina was a star in the making.

It was a calm Friday morning in Furina's cozy suburban home in Narbonnais. The clock ticked over to 11:00 a.m. Furina sat comfortably in her custom-built flight simulator rig, wrapping up a simulated flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Denver (DEN) in a 737 MAX. She was connected to the VATSIM network, a hyper-realistic online community where aspiring pilots and seasoned veterans simulated real-life air traffic control and flying scenarios.

Her room was alive with the hum of simulated jet engines, the occasional crackle of the VATSIM radio chatter, and the sharp click of her mouse and controls as she disconnects from the network. Her simulated flight was complete.

"All done," Furina muttered to herself as she sat back, brushing a few strands of hair out of her face with a sigh of relief.

The corners of her lips curled into a smirk as she shook her head. "I have to say..." She pinched the bridge of her nose, stifling a laugh. "VATSIM folks can be fucking insane sometimes."

Earlier that day...

Furina had been practicing her simulated her simulated 737 MAX parked at a gate in LAX, carefully jotting down her clearance instructions from air traffic control. She repeated it back professionally, her voice calm and collected.

"Cleared to Denver via the SUMMR2 Departure. Climb via the SID. Expect flight level three seven zero. Squawk four one three three."

The ATC voice replied smoothly, "United Four Three Seven Three, read back correct. Push at your discretion. Call for taxi."

All was normal—until it wasn't.

A new voice cracked through the frequency: "MISS FURINA, PLEASE NOTICE ME!!!"

Furina froze for a moment before bursting into laughter, her voice echoing in the quiet of her room. "Holy shit, what the fuck!?"

The radio crackled again as the ATC chimed in, clearly unimpressed. "Come now, fellas. Let Miss Furina fly in peace."

Barely a moment passed before someone else broke the silence. "Meow."

Furina lost it, doubling over in her chair as she cackled uncontrollably. "Fuck! This is too funny! What the fuck!?"

ATC, clearly at their wits' end, replied dryly, "Don't meow on my frequency."

Back in reality...

Furina was still giggling as she replayed the chaos in her mind. "Man... that shit was way too funny," she muttered, shaking her head as she stood up and stretched.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, drawing her attention. She grabbed it, curious. It was a message from Clorinde.

Hi Miss Furina. We have a 737 MAX touch-and-go session today from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with other fellow cadet pilots at Marcotte Airport. Please meet me at my office at least an hour or two before 2:00. - Clorinde

Furina furrowed her brow, her fingers brushing her chin. "Meet me at my office? What's going on?" she wondered aloud. "Did I... do something wrong?"

Her stomach churned momentarily, but she quickly shook off the thought. "No, Furina. Don't think like that. You're living up to their expectations. Hell, you're exceeding them. Maybe she just wants to brief me before the session."

Determined to stay positive, Furina started getting ready. She changed out of her casual clothes and into her crisp pilot uniform—a neatly pressed white short-sleeve polo shirt, black slacks, and a midnight-blue tie. Each piece was adjusted with care, her fingers deftly tucking and straightening as she prepared.

After thirty minutes of meticulous preparation, she strapped her watch, a silver speedmaster with a navy blue NATO strap onto her left wrist and added a spritz of perfume for good measure. Satisfied with her reflection in the mirror, she smiled. "Ready to go, Furina. Let's do this."

She gathered her essentials: her pilot's bag, wallet, and keys. Slipping into her sleek black flats, she headed for the front door, locking it behind her before stepping into the cool morning air.

Furina's Alpine A110 sat gleaming in the driveway, its iconic Alpine Blue paint catching the sunlight. She tossed her bag onto the passenger seat, slid into the driver's side, and buckled herself into the snug five-point harness. With a twist of the key, the engine roared to life.

As she backed out of the driveway and started toward Marcotte International Airport, a grin tugged at her lips. "Let's see what today's got in store."

It had taken Furina nearly an hour to drive to the Air Fontania Training Centre. She had stopped halfway through for a quick lunch—a modest sandwich and iced coffee—before continuing her journey. By the time she arrived, the bright midday sun bathed Marcotte Airport in a golden glow, the distant hum of aircraft engines providing a backdrop to her thoughts.

After parking her Alpine A110 in the designated lot, Furina grabbed her pilot's bag and headed toward the Training Centre. Security was a breeze, as usual, and soon she found herself walking past the towering hangars. The large simulators stood like silent guardians of the training facility, their presence a reminder of how far she'd come.

When she reached Clorinde's office, she took a deep breath, smoothing her uniform before softly knocking on the glass door.

Clorinde's voice called out confidently, "Furina? Please, come in!"

Furina opened the door, stepping inside with a nod. "Good afternoon, Captain Clorinde."

Clorinde, dressed impeccably as always, turned around, her pilot's bag slung casually over one shoulder. A warm smile lit her face. "Good afternoon, Cadet Furina. Ready for your first experience in a real 737 MAX?"

Furina straightened her posture and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be, ma'am."

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around the office. "May I ask, Captain, why I'm here an hour early?"

Clorinde smirked, her tone playful. "Because I want you to assist me in prepping the aircraft and cockpit for the session."

Furina's eyes widened, sparkling with excitement. "R-Really? I get to help set up the real thing?"

Clorinde nodded, her expression reassuring. "That's right. Chevreuse approved it, so we're good to go. Knowing how hard you've been studying, I'm confident you'll do just fine."

She walked over to the door and opened it with a small flourish. "After you, Miss Furina."

Furina nodded, her steps light as she exited the office, Clorinde following closely behind. Together, they made their way out of the building and into the open air, heading toward the aircraft hangar. As they approached, Furina's breath caught in her throat.

Sitting just outside the hangar was a pristine 737 MAX, its Air Fontania livery gleaming in the sunlight. The sleek lines of the aircraft and the gentle curve of its winglets made Furina's heart skip a beat.

Her jaw dropped slightly as she slowed her pace, her eyes wide and sparkling with awe.

Clorinde glanced at her, a knowing smile on her face. "I knew you were looking forward to this day, Furina."

"Would I ever," Furina muttered, her gaze locked on the plane.

As they reached the base of the boarding stairs, Clorinde turned to Furina. "For today's session, I've decided to save the best for last. I hope you don't mind being the last cadet to fly."

Furina waved a hand dismissively. "Not at all, Captain. It'll give me more time to prepare myself."

"Good," Clorinde said with a nod. "But remember, I'll be watching closely. But first. I want to see if you can handle a cold-and-dark startup on this bird. Show me that your simulator training has officially paid off."

Furina smirked, confidence brimming in her voice. "There's a reason I trained so hard, ma'am. I've got this."

Clorinde chuckled. "Of course. I was being sarcastic. I know you'll do just fine."

As they ascended the stairs to the aircraft, Furina's curiosity got the better of her. "Captain, do other airlines offer this kind of real-life experience for cadet pilots?"

Clorinde nodded thoughtfully. "In Teyvat, it's optional. It depends on the quality of the simulators they have available. In nations like the U.S. or Europe, it's not always necessary because their simulators are advanced enough. But here, we believe it's essential for pilots to distinguish between simulation and real-life flying."

Furina nodded in understanding. "Makes sense."

At the top of the stairs, Clorinde gestured for Furina to step inside first. "After you, Cadet Furina. Take the captain's seat for now."

Furina's heart raced as she entered the cockpit. The faint smell of new upholstery and avionics filled the air. She placed her bag in the baggage area and sat down in the captain's seat, her hands brushing over the yoke and throttle. Her eyes danced across the main panel, the overhead switches, and the pedestal.

Clorinde settled into the co-pilot's seat, watching Furina with a grin. "Like a kid in a candy store, eh?"

Furina nodded, her voice tinged with awe. "No kidding. I've never had the chance to sit in a real cockpit before."

"Well," Clorinde said, clapping her hands together, "you may begin your cold-and-dark startup. No need to call it out—just go with the flow you've practiced in the sim."

Furina nodded, her demeanor shifting into one of pure focus. She began with the parking brake, ensuring it was set. Then, she checked the landing gear lever—it was down. The fuel cutoff switches? In the cutoff position. Throttle levers and engine start switches? Idle and set to AUTO.

She reached for the overhead panel, flipping the main battery switch on and activating ground power. The cockpit came alive with the hum of electronics, the soft whir of avionics, and the satisfying click of switches. She turned on the navigation lights, set the IRS switches to NAV, and performed fire extinguisher tests with precision.

Each step was methodical, each motion deliberate.

When she finished, Furina sat back, exhaling deeply. "All done."

Clorinde's eyes widened slightly before she broke into a slow clap, her smile beaming. "W-Well done, Cadet Furina! That was flawless!"

Furina blushed, a sheepish smile creeping onto her face. "Th-Thank you, Captain Clorinde."

"Alright," Clorinde said, standing. "You can go sit in the front row of passenger seats for now. Store your bag in the overhead bin and take a break. You've earned it."

Furina stood, grabbing her bag. "Thank you, Captain."

"No," Clorinde replied, her tone warm, "thank you, Furina."

As Furina stepped out of the cockpit and into the cabin, she felt a wave of pride wash over her. After stowing her bag in the overhead bin, she sank into a passenger seat in the first row. Letting her eyes flutter shut for a moment, she took a deep breath, feeling the anticipation of the session ahead.

Her dream was becoming real—one step closer to the skies.

Minutes had passed since boarding, and the aircraft was now taxiing to Marcotte's Runway 26L. The air was alive with anticipation. Runway 26L, reserved entirely for the session, stretched endlessly ahead, basking in the golden glow of the late afternoon. The day's lineup consisted of five cadet pilots: four from Fontaine and one transferee from Mondstadt, representing Air Mond.

Captain Clorinde sat in command, her presence steady and commanding, overseeing the session with her usual sharp eye. Another certified pilot, stationed beside her, served as a second-in-command, per regulations for live training exercises.

The aircraft came to a halt at the runway threshold, awaiting ATC clearance. Furina, seated in the passenger cabin, caught snippets of conversation from the seats behind her.

"I'm gonna ace this session. No question about it!" Albert boasted loudly, his confidence palpable.

His seatmate, Antila, rolled her eyes and countered, "Don't jinx it, Albert. Anything can happen. The simulator and real life are worlds apart."

Albert scoffed, leaning back smugly. "Oh, please, Antila. This'll be a walk in the park for me."

Antila muttered under her breath, barely audible, "If only you'd seen Furina in action..."

Hearing this, Furina smirked and whispered to herself, "Being overconfident can get you killed in a real emergency." She glanced at her watch: 2:30 PM.

As she looked out the window, the low whine of the CFM LEAP engines spooling up to 50% filled the cabin. The sound grew to a deafening roar as the engines surged to 100%, signaling the beginning of the takeoff roll. The 737 MAX picked up speed, rattling and bumping over the uneven runway as the immense thrust pushed it forward.

Moments later, Furina felt the nose lift, and the cabin tilted gently upward. The vibrations subsided as the landing gear retracted with a metallic thud, followed by a rush of aerodynamic smoothness as drag was reduced. The aircraft climbed steadily, a symbol of progress in every sense of the word.

Not long after, the co-pilot emerged from the cockpit, addressing the cabin with an authoritative tone.

"May Cadet Antoine please enter the cockpit and sit in the co-pilot's seat. Cadet Cornelia, please take the jump seat. Thank you."

Antoine, his expression a mix of excitement and nerves, stood up and walked toward the cockpit. Cornelia followed shortly after, offering a polite nod to the co-pilot before taking her place in the jump seat.

The co-pilot seated himself at the flight attendant's jump seat, ready to step in if needed.

Antoine's Session

The aircraft approached Runway 26L for the first touch-and-go attempt. Antoine gripped the controls, his breathing steady but deliberate. As the aircraft descended, he struggled to perfectly time his flare. The result was a mild touchdown, followed by the nose wheel settling firmly onto the runway.

"Not a bad landing, Antoine," Clorinde remarked, her tone encouraging yet firm. "Try flaring earlier. That was a bit mild."

"Roger that, Captain," Antoine replied with determination.

The second attempt was smoother, though the aircraft floated for a distance before touching down softly. However, the delay in touchdown pushed the limits of the touchdown zone.

On his third attempt, Antoine executed a much-improved landing—still mild, but with better control and timing.

Clorinde nodded approvingly. "Not bad, Antoine. You did well. Back to the cabin now."

Antoine, visibly relieved, exited the cockpit as Cornelia prepared for her turn.

Cornelia's Session

Cornelia's first attempt mirrored Antoine's initial effort—a soft landing but with a noticeable float during the flare. Clorinde commented, "A bit floaty, but well executed overall."

The second attempt was closer to perfection: no float, a soft touchdown, but slightly off-center. "Soft landing, Cornelia, but let's aim to stay on the centerline next time," Clorinde advised.

Her final landing showed signs of consistency: a slight float, but within the touchdown zone and closer to centerline alignment.

"Well done, Cadet Cornelia," Clorinde concluded. "You may return to your seat."

Cornelia smiled, grateful for the feedback, and returned to the cabin.

Antila's Session

Antila stepped into the cockpit next, with Albert eagerly preparing for his turn. His smug grin as he passed Furina did not go unnoticed.

"I'm gonna ace this one, Furina. Just you watch!" he declared.

Furina crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. "Don't get too cocky, Albert."

Antila's three attempts were marked by steady improvement. The first landing was firm, prompting Clorinde to advise her to "flare a bit earlier." By the second attempt, Antila managed a smooth touchdown, though slightly off-center. Her final landing struck a balance—just a hint of float but well within the touchdown zone and perfectly aligned with the centerline.

"Nicely done, Antila," Clorinde said. "Your third attempt was the best so far. You may return to the cabin."

Albert's Session

Albert strutted to the cockpit, his confidence unshaken despite Furina's earlier comment.

"Let's get this done," he muttered, taking his place in the co-pilot's seat.

His performance, however, failed to live up to his bravado.

The first attempt ended disastrously as Albert failed to properly flare. The descent rate was too high, and Clorinde had to take over.

"My aircraft!" she barked, pulling back on the yoke and applying maximum power. The aircraft hit the runway hard before lifting off again, the situation barely salvaged.

Albert's second attempt was equally underwhelming—a hard touchdown, well off-center.

Clorinde shook her head. "Albert, that's not good. Flare earlier, and stay on the centerline."

The third attempt was no better. Albert flared too early, causing the aircraft to float nearly the entire length of the runway without touching down. Frustrated, Clorinde took control again and executed a go-around.

"I've seen enough, Albert," she said curtly. "Return to your seat and send Furina in."

Albert muttered under his breath as he exited, his earlier confidence visibly shaken.

Furina's Turn

As Furina stood and made her way to the cockpit, she took a steadying breath.

"No chance I'm following Albert's style," she thought to herself. "Stick to what you've practiced, Furina. Trust your training."

With that resolve, she entered the cockpit, ready to show what she was capable of.

Albert and Furina exchanged seats. Furina settled into the co-pilot's seat, fastening her lap belt and shoulder harness securely.

Clorinde sighed, then offered a small smile. "Alright, let's end this on a high note. You have three attempts, Furina. Good luck."

Furina nodded confidently. "Roger."

Furina's First Attempt

Furina's first attempt was exceptional. The aircraft touched down smoothly on the touchdown zone, perfectly aligned on the centerline, with a soft landing.

Clorinde's praise came swiftly. "Like a professional, Furina. Nicely done."

Furina's Second Attempt

The second attempt mirrored the first—again on the touchdown zone, perfectly on the centerline, with another soft landing. Clorinde gave a subtle nod of approval.

Preparing for the Third Attempt

For the final attempt, Clorinde leaned toward Furina, her tone serious.

"Alright, I've already briefed my first officer. This landing will be a full-stop landing—just like the ones you practiced in the simulator."

Furina looked intrigued. "A full-stop landing, Captain?"

Clorinde nodded. "That's right. It's the last landing of the day. Don't worry—it's fully approved. Chevreuse signed off on this, too."

Furina straightened in her seat, determination in her eyes. "Roger that."

The Final Landing

Ten nautical miles from Marcotte's Runway 26L, Clorinde made the call to air traffic control.

"Marcotte Tower, Fontania 7378, ten miles out, fully established on ILS Two Six Left, requesting full stop."

"Fontania 7378, Runway Two Six Left cleared to land, full stop. Winds one-eight-zero at six, gusting twelve," the tower responded.

"Cleared to land Two Six Left, Fontania 7378," Clorinde confirmed before glancing at Furina. "She's all yours."

Furina nodded, focused. "Roger."

As the aircraft descended toward the runway, the GPWS system began its callouts.

"One thousand."

Clorinde called out calmly, "Thousand feet. Stabilized. Go-around altitude set."

Without hesitation, Furina disconnected the autopilot with a firm press of the yoke button. The autopilot's aural chime sounded twice as she confirmed the action.

"My aircraft," Furina stated.

Clorinde nodded. "Your aircraft."

At 550 feet, the GPWS called out, "Minimums."

Clorinde's voice was steady. "Continue approach."

"Five hundred."

"Four hundred."

"Three hundred."

"Two hundred."

"One hundred."

Furina's hands were steady as she disconnected the Autothrottle, adjusting the throttles manually to maintain the reference speed of 138 knots. With careful movements, she guided the yoke to keep the aircraft stable, aligned perfectly with the localizer and glide slope.

The GPWS gave its final callouts.

"Fifty."

"Forty."

"Thirty."

"Twenty."

At ten feet, Furina smoothly pulled the throttles to idle and executed a precise flare.

The aircraft's main wheels touched down with a soft thud, vibrating gently as the landing gear absorbed the impact. The spoilers deployed with their characteristic whirring sound. Furina reached for the reverse thrust levers and pulled them, activating the reversers.

Clorinde confirmed, "Spoilers up, two greens."

The aircraft's nosewheel then touches down and the aircraft slowed steadily, decelerating to 60 knots. Furina transitioned to manual braking, easing the aircraft to 30 knots before turning off the runway onto taxiway Victor Four. She brought the aircraft to a halt, holding short of taxiway Sierra.

Clorinde turned to Furina, a wide smile on her face. She raised her thumb in approval.

"You landed it like a professional, Furina. Exceptionally well done! I applaud you, Miss Furina!"

Furina smiled, pride evident in her voice. "Thank you, Captain."

Clorinde nodded. "Alright, you can return to your seat. We'll take it from here."

Furina undid her shoulder harness and lap belt, exchanging seats with the first officer. As she made her way back to the cabin and sat in her original seat, Albert shot her a scornful look.

"You got lucky," he muttered.

Furina crossed her arms, unimpressed. "This has nothing to do with luck, Albert."

Minutes later, the aircraft was parked outside the hangar area, its engines silenced after a long day. The cadets began to disembark, their chatter a mix of excitement and fatigue.

Before everyone could disperse, Clorinde's voice cut through the murmur.

"Furina, Albert—stay back for a moment."

The two cadets exchanged a glance before following her instructions. Furina settled herself into the captain's seat in the cockpit, curious but calm. Albert leaned against the doorframe, his posture exuding forced nonchalance.

Clorinde turned to Albert, her arms crossed, her expression stern.

"I don't know what went on out there, Albert, but your immaturity, overconfidence and arrogance has to stop. If you carry this attitude into real-world operations—whether for us or Air Mond—it will get you killed. And worse, it could put your crew and passengers in danger."

Albert straightened defensively. "I'm not overconfident, Captain. I know what I'm doing."

Clorinde's eyes narrowed. "Oh, really? Then explain the two go-arounds I had to initiate. Both were to avoid damaging the aircraft's landing gear—gear that you failed to line up properly."

Albert faltered. "I... I... uh…"

Clorinde shook her head, her tone cutting. "Exactly what I thought." She took a step closer, her voice low but firm.

"As of today, Albert, I'm suspending you from the training program until further notice. You'll undergo a self-evaluation test before you're allowed to continue."

Albert's bravado cracked. "Please, Captain—anything but that!"

"I've made up my mind," Clorinde replied, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Go home, clear your head, and take a good look at your arrogance in the mirror. Dismissed."

Albert sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. Without another word, he descended the stairs and walked out of the hangar, his frustration evident in his dragging steps.

Clorinde's Encouragement for Furina

Once Albert was gone, Clorinde turned her attention to Furina. She gestured for her to step out of the cockpit, walking alongside her as they exited the aircraft.

As they strolled back toward the training building, Clorinde draped a reassuring arm over Furina's shoulders.

"Furina, that was the best landing I've ever seen a cadet perform in a real aircraft. You handled it like you've been flying for years."

Furina flushed with pride, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Th-thank you, Captain."

Clorinde laughed. "You've really outdone yourself. You know, you're ahead of the entire class. At this rate, you're first in line to get your check ride in the simulator."

Furina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really!?"

Clorinde nodded. "Absolutely. You've got six more simulator sessions to go. After that, your check ride will be scheduled for two and a half weeks later. Keep this up, and you'll have your wings in no time."

They reached the entrance to Clorinde's office, and the captain paused. She gave Furina a final, approving nod.

"Well done today, Furina. Keep it up. You're dismissed."

Furina smiled brightly. "Thank you, Captain. I'll see you at our next sim session."

With that, she walked away, her footsteps light with exhilaration. As Furina reached the parking lot, she climbed into her sleek Alpine A110, her energy still buzzing from the day's success. Buckling herself into the snug five-point harness, she could no longer contain her excitement.

"YES! YES! FUCKING YES!" she yelled, her voice echoing in the confined space of the car.

Punching the air triumphantly, she grinned wide.

"You aced that real experience, Furina! You fucking aced it!"

After a few moments of celebration, she allowed herself a brief moment to bask in the achievement. Then, with renewed determination, she started the car and drove off, the road ahead symbolic of her journey.

The next steps were clear: finish her remaining simulator sessions and ace the check ride. Another day of training was complete, and Furina was one step closer to her dream.