Face-to-face 丨 How good is the "air power multiplier"? An exclusive interview with Li Yan, the captain of Yunyou-20
From November 8th to 13th, the 14th China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo was held in Zhuhai.
The Chinese Air Force sent the "20 family" active equipment represented by J-20, Yun-20 and Yunyou-20 to participate in the exhibition. Among them, Yunyou-20 was displayed in the air for the first time, which attracted attention.
Li Yan, the head of a regiment of the Air Force Aviation Corps, at the Zhuhai Air Show, he and his comrades piloted Yunyou-20 for a daily flight performance.
Big country heavy equipment oil-20
The Yunyou-20 has a wingspan of 50 meters and a maximum take-off weight of up to 200 tons. Although it is huge, it is agile in the air show. In addition to fast landing, it can also take off quickly.
Reporter:
When the entire Yunyou-20 took off, the distance was very short and it could take off immediately. In fact, many people may be surprised by this?
Li Yan:
This is also a relatively characteristic short take-off and landing performance for the design and planning of the air show. Of course, it also fully reflects the performance of this aircraft, and it is also to meet our combat needs, that kind of unknown ground Air defense weapons and some individual combat weapons may cause the crew to be unknown to the security of this area, so after joining the airport, we will operate the aircraft with the shortest time, the smallest radius and range, so that if in the battlefield environment can maximize the survival rate.
During the air show, Yunyou-20 will release 3 refueling pipes to highlight its aerial refueling function.
Li Yan:
We tow the field with a tube, including the turn with a tube after the field, which was also designed by us before, just to show that this type of tanker can refuel while turning with a small aircraft in the process of refueling. .
Reporter:
During the whole process of implementation, can such an operation be carried out smoothly after the fuel pipe comes out?
Li Yan:
As the practice of international refueling, not every pilot has this kind of docking and refueling ability, and must undergo strict training and cooperation.
Because the refueling task requires the flight data of the tanker and the receiver to be very accurate, such as its speed and altitude, the two planes must fly almost the same, so that they can be accurately docked.
According to relevant news, the oil-20 can currently refuel the "Three Musketeers" J-20, J-16, and J-10C fighters in the air.
Reporter:
Do you feel nervous when you perform the operation for the first time?
Li Yan:
Before flying the oil-20, I only saw this kind of docking and refueling on the video, including discussions with the oil-receiving unit and the troops of other tankers. The oil-20 is in the After using it, will the pilots of the oil-receiving aircraft feel that it is easier to connect and refuel than previous models?
Or will it bring some new difficulties?
Reporter:
Feiyun-20 only considers flight safety, but Feiyunyou-20 must consider compatibility, right?
Li Yan: Right
.
After many times of cooperation, running-in and refueling tasks, we generally get the feedback from the oil-receiving unit that compared with other models, the Yunyou-20 will reduce their overall refueling difficulty as a tanker.
After lift-off, whether it is a fast climb or a fast dive, whether it is a snake maneuver or a tube flight, the flexibility shown by the Yunyou-20 impressed the audience.
Reporter:
For such a big plane, everyone also vividly calls it "fat girl", but this "fat girl" is so flexible after flying into the sky. Is it difficult to master it?
How can it be so flexible?
Li Yan:
In fact, netizens call this aircraft "Fat Girl", and we all call it "Kunpeng". In fact, "Kunpeng" can better show and reflect the combat performance and strength of this aircraft. The take-off weight of 100 tons is actually equivalent to the weight of our more than 100 family cars, but because this aircraft has excellent aerodynamic shape, such as its supercritical wings, such as it uses telex Control characteristics, coupled with the ability to provide a reference for the pilot through the computer, plus our familiarity with the aircraft conditions can be achieved.
Kunpeng spreading its wings is an extraordinary task
The Yunyou-20 was born out of the Yun-20, and it also inherited the superior flight performance of the Yun-20.
On January 26, 2013, the Y-20, a new generation of military large transport aircraft researched and manufactured by China, made its maiden flight.
On July 6, 2016, the aircraft was officially installed in the People's Air Force, which improved our military's ability of long-range delivery and rapid maneuvering, and made an important step towards the strategic goal of "air and space integration, both offensive and defensive" and building a world-class air force. step.
Li Yan:
When I saw the Y-20 aircraft for the first time, I was very shocked. With such a behemoth in front of me, how can I control it with ease?
I also felt a lot of pressure during the subsequent modification of the aircraft.
Because the traditional transport aircraft we flew in the past was a five-person division of labor, the pilots were actually more engaged in the simple control of the aircraft, because there were other professions, such as piloting, communication, and maintenance to provide us with help and assistance.
Flying this aircraft now, it is a two-person aircraft, so it requires the cooperation of the pilots, so this will be more extensive for the knowledge you have learned and the skills you have mastered.
To this day, Li Yan still clearly remembers the first time he flew the Yun-20 into the air.
Li Yan:
One is excitement, and the other one will feel a little nervous.
Reporter:
What is the source of this tension?
Li Yan:
The nervousness stemmed from the feeling that I was new to this aircraft at the time, and I had a good grasp of it. Could such a large aircraft and such an advanced aircraft be able to control it in a short period of time and bring out its performance? .
Reporter:
In fact, for each of you pilots, facing upgrades and iterations, the responsibilities on their shoulders will be heavier?
Li Yan:
Yes.
Because the pilot must become a captain after he grows to a certain level, and the captain must lead the fleet to perform tasks.
In the process of executing the task, how can he ensure the timeliness of the task and the smoothness of the entire task with a high efficiency and a safety closed loop?
From February 13th to 17th, 2020, Li Yan and his comrades drove the Y-20 to take off from multiple airports to transport troops and supplies to Wuhan to support the Hubei medical team. This is the first time that the Y-20 participated in a non-war military operation.
Li Yan:
After receiving the mission, we selected the strongest crew, and we delivered the supplies to Wuhan overnight. When we landed in Wuhan, the controller at the tower and my partner Zhang Lei had a touching conversation.
Tower:
Hello, in 2001, Wuhan Tower would like to extend the highest respect to all crew members, all medical staff, the People's Air Force, and the People's Liberation Army. Thank you for crossing thousands of rivers and mountains and helping Hubei!
We escort you!
Y-20 crew:
Thank you, ATC, salute to you!
Come on, Wuhan!
China must win!
Reporter:
When this task is carried out, it may be a huge spiritual inspiration for the local people.
Li Yan:
We were relieved when we saw on the news that the PLA was coming.
Another comment is that you can always trust Chinese soldiers.
When I saw these two words, I felt very proud.
On September 27, 2020, a Y-20 transport plane carrying the remains of the seventh batch of 117 Volunteer Army martyrs slowly landed at Shenyang Taoxian Airport. This is the first time that the Y-20 has undertaken the task of returning the remains of the Volunteer Army martyrs in South Korea back to China.
Reporter:
In the specific implementation process, what details impress you now?
Li Yan:
During the shipment process at that time, the entire crew lined up one by one to pay tribute to the coffin on both sides of the cabin below the plane. At the same time, the crew was also responsible for assisting the honor guard with part of the coffin and placing it on the plane together.
Reporter:
It was a very solemn and sacred moment.
Li Yan:
The mood of everyone present was solemn and sacred. I think for every crew member, it may be a strong stroke in the entire military career.
When the hero returns to his hometown, the mountains and rivers are safe.
At present, Li Yan's unit, the Y-20 is flying farther and higher, and its track has expanded to dozens of countries and regions on four continents overseas.
Reporter:
You have such advanced aircraft equipment as Feiyun-20 and Yunyou-20. In fact, many people are envious of them, but it is more of an expectation and concern.
How to face the new tasks that may be undertaken in the future?
How to continuously improve this winning ability?
Li Yan:
I think the most important thing is to master the performance of the current weapon as soon as possible. At the same time, we must start from ourselves and improve the comprehensive ability of the entire team as soon as possible. The final manifestation in wartime is a reflection of our usual training results. kind of inspection.
The People's Air Force will always be the "Steel Great Wall" of the motherland. This is how I feel in my heart.
(CCTV News Client Reporter丨Gu Bing)