Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Dong Baiyu had a fawning smile on his face and his eyes were shining.

He met with top dignitaries and tech giant Zhao Ruilong.

He was naturally overjoyed, and couldn't help but reveal his materialistic and sycophantic nature.

Zhao Ruilong had seen plenty of people like him.

He smiled and nodded, gave a polite handshake and greeting, and then prepared to greet the other guests.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Zhao!"

Dong Baiyu hurriedly said:

"I'm from Tianhai TV. May I ask you a question?"

Zhao Ruilong turned around and said, "Of course."

"From the restart of the domestic large aircraft project to today's successful maiden flight, it has taken less than three years. Such a short time is a miracle in the history of aviation industry. What factors do you think contributed to this miracle?"

As soon as he said this, many people around him stared intently at Zhao Ruilong.

Dong Baiyu's question reflects the sentiments of many people.

It's understandable that an excellent car or an advanced computer can be developed in one or two years, or even less.

But the airplane...

This is composed of tens of thousands of parts, large and small, and it carries a large number of passengers to and from the air and land frequently. It is an extremely complex and advanced means of transportation, and only a handful of countries in the world can develop it.

Although China has a good industrial strength and talent base, and has been developing its aviation industry for decades to meet the needs of national defense, it even attempted to develop a civilian large aircraft in the 1970s.

However, after entering the 21st century, the domestic large aircraft project was restarted, and it was able to achieve its maiden flight in just over two years. Moreover, it flew so powerfully and coolly that everyone couldn't help but wonder how it suddenly became so strong.

In this regard.

Zhao Ruilong certainly wouldn't say that behind the miracle was his own foresight as a time traveler, the system's assistance which was like having a cheat code, and the huge sum of money he obtained from abroad that allowed him to unleash his financial power.

These three factors ensure that all participating units and researchers have a clear research direction, clear technical guidance, and sufficient research funding. With everything provided, how could they not create miracles?

There is another point that is easily overlooked but is very important.

That is, after the domestic large aircraft project was restarted, as the major shareholder and investor, based on the principle that whoever pays the money is the boss, they naturally had absolute control over the project by contributing manpower, effort and money.

Moreover, he is from a powerful and wealthy family and enjoys the trust of high-ranking officials. He knows what kind of aircraft to develop, what technical performance to achieve, and how to carry out research and testing in all aspects...

You can make decisions on your own without having to hold meetings, discussions, reports, or requests for instructions, which saves a lot of time.

Moreover, the recruitment of numerous organizations to participate in the development of the domestically produced large aircraft project involved providing funding, essentially establishing a relationship between Party A and Party B.

As the client who pays the money, they naturally do whatever we ask them to do.

Each unit only needs to complete the tasks assigned to them on schedule. There is no competition for power or profit among them, and they will not engage in any underhanded tactics to compete for scientific research achievements, promotions, or the title of academician.

Just as one can appoint Academician Qiu Lingzhi as the chief designer, if, like in another world, the state funds the development of large aircraft, the selection of the chief designer alone would involve a long period of open and covert struggles.

Not to mention clarifying research and development goals, determining design schemes, and assigning tasks to various units... Just the time spent on these tasks alone, such as holding meetings and discussions, is hard to estimate, because the more people involved, the greater the differences in interests will inevitably be.

In the world before his transmigration, Zhao Ruilong did his best to avoid the detours and mistakes that occurred in developing large aircraft. In this world, he also provided ample information and funding, which naturally greatly improved the efficiency of research and development.

In addition, everyone was incredibly motivated, working almost day and night, year-round without rest. They did the work of five years in just two years. If they couldn't create a miracle, wouldn't that be a miracle?

Faced with Dong Baiyu's tricky questions and the curious gazes of those around him.

After a slight smile, Zhao Ruilong said calmly:

"Excuse me, I have to correct you. The successful maiden flight of our domestically produced large aircraft today is not an aviation miracle that is rare in the world."

"Many people, including you, only see that it has been less than three years from the restart of the domestic large aircraft project to today's successful maiden flight."

"But you have overlooked the fact that our dragon nation's aviation industry has gone through half a century, from simple repairs to imitation production, from technology imports to independent innovation, and from military to civilian applications!"

"We not only have generations of pioneers in the aviation industry working tirelessly, but also a unique industrial system covering all sectors, strong support from the Party and the country, and the unremitting efforts of countless researchers."

"Behind the aviation miracles you see is our Dragon Nation's decades-long, unwavering commitment to developing industry and education, and the silent, tireless efforts of hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of scientific and technical personnel!"

"Furthermore, based on the lessons learned from the failure of the Y-10 project in the last century, we have undertaken a large-scale scientific research effort with a more scientific, meticulous, professional, and rigorous attitude, and with more abundant R&D funding!"

At this point, Zhao Ruilong looked around and then calmly looked at Dong Baiyu.

"So... there's no such thing as a miracle. The successful maiden flight was the result of the collective efforts of countless people!"

"Moreover, the successful maiden flight is just the beginning; we still need to continue our efforts."

Dong Baiyu hurriedly asked, "Then when do you think it will be considered a great success? Is it when we pass airworthiness certification and obtain type approval, or when we achieve mass production, global sales, and long-term safe operation without any accidents?"

Zhao Ruilong shook his head slightly.

"There is no perfect merit, nor is there instant ascension to heaven!"

"As times progress and technology develops, people's travel needs will continue to change."

"Therefore, there is no end to success. COMAC will always adhere to the principles of safety first and advanced reliability, and strive to develop and produce civil aircraft that satisfy the people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, applause erupted.

The surrounding crowd applauded and cheered.

After hesitating for a second or two, Dong Baiyu also clapped and applauded.

He couldn't help but admire Zhao Ruilong in his heart; he was not a good-for-nothing playboy who was only rich and powerful.

Faced with his tricky questions, or even linguistic traps, Zhao Ruilong's answers, if not perfect, were at least watertight.

If it were someone else, they would definitely be unable to resist boasting, which would inevitably cause resentment, unlike Zhao Ruilong's answer, which made people feel humble and pragmatic.

"This is trouble!"

"Zhao Ruilong didn't fall for the trap at all, and even cleverly elevated the topic!"

"He tied the development of large aircraft to China's aviation industry!"

"Now who would dare to question the short development time of China's domestically produced large aircraft?"

"Who can still question whether COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) is scientific, rigorous, meticulous, and professional enough?"

"They start by saying it's the culmination of decades of accumulation, the efforts of tens of thousands of people, and an investment of tens of billions. How can you question that?"

Dong Baiyu felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

I think the program we're having recorded tomorrow might not be very meaningful.

Zhao Ruilong, the investor and major shareholder of the domestically produced large aircraft project, did not become complacent or arrogant because of the successful maiden flight, but continued to emphasize 'effort'.

Under the principle of "what the superiors do, the subordinates will certainly follow suit" and maintain the same humble attitude. The official media, which cooperates with the propaganda, will also refrain from making grand pronouncements and avoid excessive praise.

"Mr. Zhao, after the successful maiden flight, have there been any increases in orders for our domestically produced large aircraft?"

Upon hearing this question, Dong Baiyu's hope was instantly rekindled.

Yup!

As an industrial product, the success of an aircraft is measured by its sales volume.

If sales are poor, no matter how excellent the performance parameters are, no one will believe it.

Just like cell phones, computers, cars, home appliances...

As of today, COMAC has only received orders for sixty aircraft.

Compared to the tens of billions of yuan in R&D funding, this is simply a drop in the ocean.

"The orders that have already been signed remain unchanged for the time being, but several airlines have expressed their intention to place orders, and it is expected that formal contracts will be signed before the end of the year."

"Could you tell me approximately how much it is?"

"I estimate there should be three or four hundred."

Upon hearing this answer, Dong Baiyu almost burst out laughing.

Three or four hundred aircraft?

Even if you have 400 aircraft, plus the 60 you signed for before, it still won't be 500!

A new jet aircraft needs to sell at least 500 units just to barely break even!

Based on these sales figures, isn't this domestically produced large aircraft still a money-losing proposition?

Do you think there will be other orders later?

"I believe it will definitely happen. I am very confident that before obtaining airworthiness certification and starting mass production, the cumulative orders will exceed 600 aircraft!"

Do you think our domestically produced large passenger aircraft can obtain Western airworthiness certification and thus go global?

"I believe that our domestically produced large passenger aircraft will definitely be able to go global and serve people in other countries in the future!"

Upon hearing Zhao Ruilong's reply, Dong Baiyu couldn't help but let out a soft hum.

Going global?

How easy is it?

Zhao Ruilong, do you think airplanes are like cars, home appliances, or electronic products?

Many countries around the world do not have strong aviation industries of their own, so they directly recognize the airworthiness certifications of the United States and Europe.

In order to protect their own aviation industry, neither the United States nor Europe would easily grant airworthiness certification to China's commercial aircraft manufacturers.

Without even a second thought, even if China's COMAC is fully prepared and its aircraft meets all the standards, they can still drag out the process and waste many years.

Do domestically produced large aircraft want to be sold to other countries?

Unless that country disregards Western opposition and recognizes China's domestic airworthiness certification system.

Therefore, China needs to have strong international influence; otherwise, why would others recognize it?

But given China's current strength, coupled with its all-out effort to boost the economy, it has no choice but to keep a low profile and endure humiliation. How much international influence does it really have?

Even the smaller neighboring countries can occasionally cause trouble and bully China quite a bit, but in the end they can only protest strongly and dare not take any action.

Therefore, China's other industrial products can still be sold to the world due to their cost-effectiveness, but large aircraft are out of the question. They won't be able to sell a single one in the next ten or even twenty years.

"Mr. Zhao, I heard there are still many test flight subjects to be completed. When is the earliest we can get to ride on a domestically produced large aircraft?"

"It's expected to be in 2006! Because there are many subsequent test flight subjects, such as crosswind, high temperature, low temperature, stall, bird strike, icing, etc., with more than 500 subjects, more than 3,000 flight tests, and more than 1,000 ground tests."

"Then, Mr. Zhao, when will the larger, longer-range intercontinental wide-body passenger aircraft be able to make its maiden flight?"

"If all goes well, the maiden flight should take place in the first half of 2005, the year after next."

"Our country is vigorously developing the 'Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal' high-speed railway network. With more and more places connected by high-speed rail in the future, will this affect the civil aviation market and lead to a decline in aircraft sales?"