Author's Note: All characters, events, and places described in this narrative are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Please note that I am not a commercial airline pilot -- I have attempted to replicate as far as possible realistic actions, systems and terminology for the aircraft in this story, but this is not a real depiction of airline operations.
All comments and feedback are welcomed.
HF
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The sun was beginning its slow descent towards the horizon, casting a golden hue over the vast expanse of Arabian desert that stretched out beneath the AirNordland Boeing 777 Freighter. First Officer Elin Martinsen, as the flying pilot sitting in the right-hand seat, felt a mix of excitement and determination in the pit of her stomach as she guided the heavily laden aircraft towards Dubai International Airport. The pilot-in-command, Captain Robert Davis, sat to her left, his dark brown eyes scanning the instruments and the outside view with practiced ease.
Captain Robert Davis, a Black man from America who had started with AirNordland just over a year earlier, was a seasoned aviator in his early fifties with a tall, commanding presence. His deep, resonant voice carried an air of authority and confidence that came from decades of flying. His dark skin contrasted sharply with the white of his pilot's shirt, and his close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair gave him a distinguished look. He had already gained a reputation as an expert pilot and tutor to some of the junior pilots in the airline but this was Elin's first flight with him, and she was keen to make a good impression.
Elin glanced at the flight instruments, ensuring everything was as it should be before they began their approach into the airport at the edge of the sprawling desert city. They were tracking back towards Dubai over the sands of the desert, relying on the radar vectors to guide them towards the airport. The transition from the frigid winter of Nordland to the arid heat of Dubai had been stark, and the sudden change in weather conditions required her full attention. There was no snow here, she thought. She glanced at the Control Display Unit (CDU) of the Flight Management System (FMS) -- it was about time to commence their descent into Dubai.
"Pre-approach checklist," Elin called out in English, the international language of aviation. She did her best to keep her voice steady as she tried to convey a sense of professionalism to her new Captain. She had only recently completed her conversion on the B777 following her transfer to the AirNordland cargo service. After graduating from the AirNordland pilot training program five years earlier, she had spent her career to date flying regional aircraft from Nordland to various destinations around Europe. Her transfer to the cargo arm of the airline had given her considerably more opportunities to travel the world -- something she relished, despite the long periods away from her friends and family at home.
Robert nodded, picking up the checklist. "Pre-approach checklist," he echoed in English. "Altimeters?"
"Set," Elin replied, double-checking the settings.
"Set," Robert confirmed. "Landing data?"
"Reviewed and confirmed," Elin said, recalling the landing speeds and configuration settings they had discussed earlier during their pre-approach brief. She glanced at the FMS to confirm the settings.
"Reviewed and confirmed," Robert repeated. "Approach briefing?"
"Completed," Elin replied, recalling their detailed discussion they had about the approach path, expected weather, and contingency plans for any issues or emergencies they might encounter during the approach.
"Completed," Robert echoed. "Auto brakes?"
"Set to two," Elin responded, adjusting the control accordingly on the main instrument panel.
"Set to two," Robert confirmed. "Spoilers?"
"Armed," Elin said, checking the spoiler lever.
"Armed," Robert confirmed. "Flaps?"
"Config one," Elin replied, setting the flaps as they prepared to begin their descent.
"Config one," Robert repeated, glancing at the wing to ensure the flaps were deploying correctly. "Pre-approach checklist complete."
"Pre-approach checklist complete," Elin repeated, feeling a sense of readiness settle over her. I've got this, she thought to herself. She took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand as she settled herself more comfortably into her seat, her hands gripping the controls in a loose, but firm enough grip. This was her first landing in Dubai, and she was determined to execute it flawlessly.
The approach controller's voice crackled over the radio. "AirNordland 487 Heavy, you are cleared for the ILS approach to runway Three Zero Left. Descend and maintain 3000 feet."
"Cleared for the ILS approach to runway Three Zero Left, descend and maintain 3000 feet, AirNordland 487 Heavy," Elin replied, her voice calm and professional. She adjusted the altitude setting on the auto-pilot and they large aircraft began its descent.
"How are you feeling about the approach?" Robert asked, his tone conversational but with a hint of professional concern and interest. He glanced over at his new co-pilot, taking in the sight of the young Nordic woman. She had a mane of vibrant red hair, a connection with her Nordlandic Viking ancestors. It was tied back in a simple, but neat, bun at the back of her head. Her facial features were delicate but clearly defined, with a pair of high cheekbones on her oval shaped face that enhanced her natural Nordic beauty. Her skin was pale and flawless and contrasted with her bright blue eyes that sparkled with both an innate intelligence and a hint of mischief. Her pink lips were naturally full, and he had seen her smile a few times during the flight, the smile hinting at her confident demeanor.
When he first met her several hours earlier in Nordhaven, he saw that her body was slender yet curvaceous in all the right places, clearly testament to both good genes and a fit, healthy lifestyle. He guessed that she was about 5'8" give or take and as his eyes glanced down at her hands, gently manipulating the flight controls, he saw her fingers were long and topped with well-manicured nails, painted in a neutral varnish. His eyes drifted up her body again to take in the swells of her full breasts under her slim fitting uniform shirt. They accentuated her figure perfectly and he idly estimated that she was a large C, perhaps a small D-cup.
"Confident," Elin replied, though her mind was racing as her eyes flicked rapidly over the instruments. She was aware of the challenges that came with landing in Dubai -- the intense heat could create unexpected turbulence and affect the aircraft's performance, particularly during their final approach. But she had trained extensively for such conditions, and she trusted her skills. Right, let's do this.
"Good," Robert said with a nod. "Just remember, the air can be a bit bumpy on final due to the heat rising off the desert. Keep a nice, firm grip on the controls, but don't overreact to the turbulence."
"Got it," Elin said, appreciating his advice. She adjusted her grip on the yoke, preparing for the descent into the warmer, more turbulent air. 'Please don't fuck this up,' she thought to herself, a touch of nerves breaking through her confident demeanor.
As they descended through 5000 feet, the desert landscape became clearer through the heat haze, the city of Dubai rising out of the sands like a mirage. The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, stood out prominently against the skyline of the city. Elin felt a surge of excitement in the pit of her stomach -- flying was her passion, and moments like this reminded her why she loved it so much.
"Speed to 210 knots," Robert instructed, and Elin adjusted the throttles, feeling the aircraft respond to her commands.
