Post

The Speed Check

87,000 feet over North Deltania
16 February 2019
12:33 local time

Major Aleksandr Kolenko's sleek, spearhead-shaped F-12BH Iron Blackbird, callsign Phoenix 21, soared over southern North Deltania, heading southeast towards Heierlark Air Force Base in northeastern Osea. In the backseat was 1st Lieutenant Alexei Priabin, who had earned his wings less than two weeks before. At 87,000 feet, Kolenko could see even the southern coastline.

You know what? he thought. We bad.

Since they were at 87,000 feet, they were well above Hansdeltanian Class A airspace. In other words, they really were not in Hansdeltania and were only connected to Deltania Air Traffic Control Center for monitoring purposes only. Everything that came across Deltania Center's frequencies was heard in the Blackbird's cockpit.

"Deltania Center, Cessna 36-Mike requests a ground speed check," Kolenko heard.

"Cessna 36-Mike, Deltania Center. I read you at one hundred—one-zero-zero—knots at two thousand, five hundred."

The radios were silent for about a minute before the next transmission came.

"Deltania Center, Beech Baron 62-Charlie requesting ground speed check," came a slightly arrogant voice.

"Baron 62-Charlie, I show one-forty—one-four-zero—knots at eight thousand," was the reply, in the same cool voice as before.

What the hell is it with these ground speed checks? Kolenko pondered. A good majority of those Barons have G1000s, so there's no need to get a speed check from Center!

Barely two minutes had passed when Kolenko heard a third voice ask Deltania Center for a ground speed check. This time, it was a Hansdeltanian Airways Boeing 777-9.

"Hansdeltanian Heavy 263, I show your Boeing 777-10 at three-fifty—three-five-zero—knots at flight level one-niner-zero."

This is bullsh*t. There is absolutely no way in hell that that multimillion-hansdeltano airliner doesn't have a ground speed indicator. Kolenko was fuming now. Oh, I get it. He wants to show off his speed, what that 250-foot airplane can do. He reached for the radio controls but was stopped when he realized that Priabin was in charge of the radios. God dammit...

Yet another voice came through the radio five minutes later.

"Deltania Center, Spike 36 requests ground speed check." Kolenko instantly recognized that voice to be of a Marine Corps pilot, most likely flying an AV-8BH Iron Harrier attack jet. Spike's crisp yet arrogant tone revealed it all.

"Spike 36, Deltania Center. I read five hundred—five-zero-zero—knots at flight level two-two-zero." Kolenko took a deep breath and reluctantly decided to let Priabin maintain the radios.

No more than ninety seconds had passed when an arrogant and slightly rude Navy pilot came over the radio.

"Deltania Center, Dusty 52, requesting ground speed check."

"Dusty 52, this is Deltania Center. I show you and your F-14 Tomcat at six-twenty—six-two-zero—knots across the ground at flight level three-two-zero."

Dammit! Kolenko screamed in his head while reaching towards the radios. That's the Navy! The Navy must die!

Then, he pulled his hand away. No, that's Alexei's job. I have to fly the airplane.

His hand balled up into a fist. Dammit, f*ck that Navy guy and his Tomcat! They must die! We're about to get handed off!

Suddenly, his Blackbird's radios clicked. First Lieutenant Alexei Priabin spoke over the radio in a very innocent voice not unlike a student pilot during his first solo.

"Deltania Center, Phoenix 21 requests a ground speed check." Kolenko suddenly erupted into an uproarious guffaw, and since he was not connected to the radios, no one, save for Priabin, heard him.

There was an abnormally long pause after Priabin's transmission. Kolenko swore he heard muffled laughter in the background.

Deltania Center, in the same cool voice as always, replied back.

"Phoenix 21, Deltania Center. I show you at 1,987—one-niner-eight-seven—knots across the ground at flight level eight-seven-zero."

"Uh, Deltania Center, Phoenix 21 copies. We're showing closer to, uh, 2,000...on the money."

"Copy, Phoenix 21. Your stuff's probably more accurate than ours. You guys have a good one now. Contact Directus Center on 128.45."

"Phoenix 21, roger. Switching to 128.45..."