Capt. Fernando Sanchez-Arjona Courtoy, senior test pilot at the Ejército del Aire's flight testing squadron,
stood on the balcony of the airfiled's tower.
He was still getting used to his recent promotion, and as a result,
he was a little slow realising that the airman in the tower was calling him.
"Yes, what is it Hernandez?" he asked.
"The delivery flights have made radio contact Sir, E.T.A. is 10 minutes."
"Thank you Hernandez" replied the test pilot.
The minutes ticked by, and as he waited, his thoughts drifted.
His duties had changed somewhat with his promotion. Here he was, awaiting the new aircraft for flight testing,
so that he could assign them to other pilots, instead of waiting on the flightline to take one of the new planes up for a spin.
Overhead, the sound of multiple aircraft approaching pulled him back to reality.
He looked skyward as a flight of 6 streamlined planes flew over the base, and stretching off into the distance, 2 more groups of aircraft.
The aircraft made a long sweeping circuit of the airfield, and as the first came round on final approach to land,
the rest of the flight made sharp climbing turns to bleed off speed and space themselves out for landing.
"Very nice, for delivery pilots!" thought Fernando.
The next group of slightly larger planes made their approaches, showing a similiar level of skill and finesse, landing in staggered pairs.
"They are either very familiar with those planes, or they are taking an unnecessary risk" he said to no-one in particular, as he watched the display of airmanship.
"Not something to do everyday, but would look good at a review" he thought, smiling as he suddenly realised that they were selling their mounts, and doing a good job of it.
He lifted his binoculars, and focused on the last group of planes as it approached the Mar Menor,
the floatplanes landing in echelon formation on the vast expanse of the lagoon.
One of the base's motor boats was tasked with escorting the floatplanes to the jetties,
and it powered its way out toward the planes as they turned towards the base.
Fernando made his way down to the field to greet the airmen who had delivered his next 3 months work.
As he left the base of the tower, the first flight had parked on the apron, and ground crew were milling around the sleek new planes.
The 12 crew were gathered in a group and as he approached them he decided to try to greet them on their own language.
"Messieurs, bien venue a l'Iberie!"
Thursday, April 18th 2024, 8:57am
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