Notes from the Author: The Premier Delta fly boys board the HMS Elizabeth to take their training to the real world.
Hello lovelies!
Major apologies about the delay in this getting posted. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and without a beta, I edit and second guess myself into oblivion. I've decided to break up this chapter (week four) into two parts so I can get one out to you faster while I continue to work on the next one. Thanks for being patient and sticking around!
I'm so blown away by all the kind comments and excitement for this story. Like I've said before, best squadron around! I know things have been difficult lately in the fandom, but please remember to love one another and always treat one another with respect. Let this continue to be a safe space that fosters creativity and happiness. Hugs to everyone, and as Harry would say...all the love.
I'm sorrrrrrrry about the massive glossary below, but I've been doing a lot of research on aircraft carriers and fighter jets for this story, so now you're all going to have to suffer through my geek out moment. Things are highly over simplified so apologies to anyone who had any actual real world knowledge of avionics and aerodynamics, but I promise reading it will help things make a little more sense in the story since procedures on the carrier are a little crazy.
Enjoy and thanks for reading!!
P.S. This goes out to Bubblymar. Your fondness for RIO!Niall's antics rivals my own. :)
Mood Music
Battleships - Daughtry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bj0MwP1_fw
(could this song be any more perfect??!!)
Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQV__Z55eE
(another anthem for this story)
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQq6yLe2ww
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RealityBetterThanFiction's Crash-Course to Aviation:
Carrier - A big ass ship that carries a lot of people, a lot of planes and a lot of firepower. It is the centerpiece of the Navy forces, where jets of all kinds are launched off the carrier to mount their attacks. One hundred thousand tons of terror at sea.
Flight deck - The flat top level of the carrier where jets are launched via several frighteningly short runways (more on that later). It's a zoo. Controlled chaos.
Hanger bay - The level below the flight deck where the aircrafts are stored when not in use. It is connected to the flight deck by a lift system kind of like a massive elevator that allows planes and weaponry to be transported between levels.
Topside / Below Deck - Topside is going up to the flight deck, and below deck is the opposite.
Racks - Bunk beds...what fun! As you can guess, space is a luxury that is nowhere to be found in these carriers, so everything gets pretty cozy (aka cramped as all hell).
Galley - The kitchen...Niall's favorite place
Ready Room - Basically the hang out spot for each squadron where the pilots wait until they are needed.
Air Boss and Mini Boss - The brains of all flight operations. They are commanding officers that sit up in the tower and are responsible for coordination of all launches and making sure that everything on the flight deck is running smoothly. Big dogs on campus.
Wheels in the well - Wheels up, baby! It's go time.
Pull Chocks - Chocks are wedges that are placed around the jet's wheels to stop it from rolling right off the side of the carrier. Chocks must be "pulled" before a jet can move.
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Take My Breath Away
Teen FictionThere is a prestigious school in the British Royal Navy classified as Premier Delta - or as it is known by its flyers, 1D. These select pilots are an elite set of Naval lieutenants who are trained in the skill of aggressive aerial combat. They are i...
