Flight to You Episode 5 Recap
> Flight to You Recap
At the conclusion of the training phase in Australia, Gu Nanting informed the trainees that they would have half a day off that afternoon. The following day, they were to transfer to China for the final step of their 787 pilot transition training, which involved a field training program. Despite the announcement, Cheng Xiao and the Australian pilots had already arranged a private simulator competition for that afternoon.
Her fellow trainees tried to keep the plan from Gu Nanting, but he was already aware. He approached the competitors, stating that since their scores were excellent and they desired a decisive outcome, he had officially arranged a half-hour simulator session for them, setting identical flight conditions in a best-of-three competition. Kain, one of the foreign pilots, messaged Gu Nanting, acknowledging he knew about the match.
When Gu Nanting expressed concern, Kain encouraged him to let it proceed, stating that pilots need both calmness and passion. Gu Nanting then observed the entire process from the observation room. The first round was a steep turn. Eric Dane went first, managing the altitude and speed deviations well.
When it was Cheng Xiao's turn, she disconnected all automated systems and performed exceptionally, with an altitude deviation of only 20 feet and zero speed deviation, leading Kain to remark on her genius. Cheng Xiao won the first round. The second round was a CAT II blind landing, requiring manual control without flight director guidance.
Though Eric's landing point was slightly closer to the runway's aiming point, earning him the win, it was revealed that Cheng Xiao had flown manually for the entire approach, even before intercepting the glideslope, which surprised everyone. This left the score tied at one-to-one. Before the final round, originally a wind shear competition, Gu Nanting instructed the referee to change the conditions to a landing in strong wind and turbulence. Shortly after the round began, the aircraft encountered significant turbulence.
Cheng Xiao calmly operated the aircraft, correcting deviations. As the plane approached for landing, the crosswind increased, causing the plane to veer. Remembering the critical importance of passenger safety, Cheng Xiao decisively initiated a go-around, aborting the landing despite the competition's objective. Eric Dane, however, successfully completed his landing. Gu Nanting, watching from the observation room, displayed a subtle smile. After the competition, he approached Cheng Xiao and asked why she chose not to land.
She simply stated, "This was my choice." Eric, though he had won, was impressed, remarking that she had lost the competition but did so with honor. True to her word, Cheng Xiao accepted the ice bucket punishment, enduring three buckets of ice water poured by the Australian pilots. She refused her friends' offers to take her place, earning applause for her resilience.
Later, Song visited Cheng Xiao with a soup that Gu Nanting had personally prepared to prevent her from catching a cold, claiming it was a local remedy. Cheng Xiao drank it, repeatedly warning Song not to let Gu Nanting know about the competition. Song later reported back to Gu Nanting, confirming she drank the soup, with both of them maintaining the pretense that she was unaware of his knowledge.
Gu Nanting then led the trainees back to Wuxi for their final field training, requiring them to complete thirty take-offs and landings and warning that failure would result in a return to the simulator. Cheng Xiao performed meticulously, and with her encouragement, a nervous Song also completed his tasks successfully. Meanwhile, cabin crew members like Xia Zhi and Li Yuheng officially passed their tests, and Ai Jia presented them with their work permits.
With all trainees having passed their tests, Gu Nanting instructed them to rest for three hours before the employment results were announced. He then submitted the assessment reports to Jiang Tao and Xie Zetian. Jiang Tao expressed significant dissatisfaction with Cheng Xiao, showing a video of the Australian trainees mocking their instructor and implying Chinese pilots were weak.
Jiang Tao vehemently asserted that Cheng Xiao had provoked the private competition and was responsible for the inflammatory video being posted online, which led to a formal protest from the Australian airline and subjected their trainees to online criticism. He questioned whether such an aggressive "fighter" was the type of pilot Luzhou Airlines needed. Gu Nanting defended Cheng Xiao, highlighting her hard work and progress. However, Jiang Tao remained resolute.
Xie Zetian suggested assigning Cheng Xiao to a junior first officer position, but to "teach her a lesson," Gu Nanting proposed demoting Cheng Xiao to an observer. Jiang Tao agreed, placing Cheng Xiao entirely under Gu Nanting's supervision. Meanwhile, Song showed Cheng Xiao the viral video of the foreign pilots being criticized. Believing it was wrong to post internal matters online, Cheng Xiao found out that their fellow trainee Shaohui had filmed it and asked him to take it down.
Finally, Gu Nanting announced the recruitment results. The other trainees were successfully hired as Boeing 787 first officers. Cheng Xiao, however, was demoted to an observer. She was required to complete 100 hours of observation under a senior instructor, accumulate 200 hours of flight experience, and complete 30 flight segments before being eligible to reapply for a first officer assessment. Cheng Xiao protested vehemently, listing her excellent test results and questioning the unfair punishment.
She accused Gu Nanting of prejudice and declared her intention to file a complaint. Cheng Xiao went directly to Jiang Tao, accusing Gu Nanting of bias. Jiang Tao questioned her about the video. Cheng Xiao denied posting it but admitted to initiating the competition, calling it a "reasonable return" to the others' provocations. While acknowledging her mistake, she felt the demotion was too harsh and threatened to quit.
Jiang Tao urged her to reconsider and informed her that Gu Nanting would be her exclusive instructor. Later, Xie Zetian remarked to Gu Nanting that his quick thinking to propose the demotion had at least saved Cheng Xiao's job, given Jiang Tao's firm stance. Worried she might still resign, Xie Zetian offered to speak with her. At home, Cheng Xiao vented to Xia Zhi, reiterating her desire to quit.
Xia Zhi advised against it, pointing out that the civil aviation industry is a small world and that Gu Nanting's influence might follow her. She urged Cheng Xiao to reconsider, given her seven years of dedication to the airline.
