Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XVIII: Crosswind

A surface wind which blows at an angle to the landing or take-off heading.
A crosswind landing is one of the most difficult exercises for a student pilot. The final approach is usually made with the aircraft yawed into the wind, while tracking the extended runway centerline. Just before touchdown, the pilot aligns the aircraft with the direction of flight using the rudder pedals. Correct timing for the alignment and accurate airspeed are required to achieve positive contact with the runway surface, otherwise the aircraft may depart the runway to one side.

* * *

It is no secret throughout the entire PAAC that I and César are together. And with the stint of Geronimo revealing to everyone else of our engagement, and César paying for the celebration of a drinking spree more than a month ago, everyone knew that we're set to be married.

So, there comes then the question now. Since I've been the nurse who've interviewed him and checked how fit he is to fly today, everyone is definitely asking if I've done something to favor his intention to be up in the air. Definitely not, as I trust that I'll not even let him take the risk of having no right bearings to be in control of a plane; let alone even to let him drive, if ever. And, surely, he had been passionate of flying that I know he knows the rules: and one of it is not to fly intoxicated. After all, is there any reason for him to lie if it is his safety which will be compromised, and if it will be my dignity and honor as a nurse which will be questioned?

I doubt it that he will definitely dare do something dangerous as that.

Well, no one is questioning me those things. None of them are blaming me over the matter, nor the fact that they think César will definitely do something like that. Because everyone knows what kind of person both of us are; and very much they know César to be more than just a basketball superstar during college as he had proven that he has the brains and skills necessary to be a pilot. So, everyone is sure that he will not take the risk of losing his license by flying drunk or whatever happened that led for him to be submitted to a sobriety test as needed.

I sigh heavily as another colleague of mine voluntarily takes the record of Lt. Bernardo from me as she'll accompany another doctor who'll conduct the test, leaving me alone with that of César's. The manila folder is quite heavy and thick, filled with too many documents and readings. I can't help checking the latest record on that of his; one that involves the latest medical clearance earlier today and be followed by previous others throughout his flying career within this year. Probably, the older ones are safely kept somewhere else.

"(L/N)," a middle-aged male doctor calls for me, and I immediately draw closer to him to hand that of César's records. He places the folder first on his desk, opening it and reading through the files. "Hmm... ikaw 'yong nag-pre-check kay Basa kanina, ano?"

"Yes po, doc. His temperature and blood pressure are within normal. He also checked out the rest of the details necessary when interviewed," I answer as I watch him looking back for other reports even outside that of medical clearances—psychologist analysis, skill test, written comments and reports of flight instructors and the likes, and even other medical records of X-ray and dental. "I'm sorry, doc, kung nagkaroon ako ng pagkukulang regarding sa pre-flight check-up niya."

He sighs heavily. "Wala kang naging pagkukulang tungkol doon, (L/N). Matagal-tagal ko na ring kilala si Basa, at marami-rami na rin silang mga piloto na nakilala ko. One thing that I am sure of, they will not dare risk losing their license just to do something stupid enough to get them killed like flying drunk. Panigurado na alam din nila kung anong mangyayari, if ever na nagsinungaling sila sa mga pre-flight check-ups nila." He closes the folder and scratches the back of his head. "Mag-iisang buwan pa nga lang noong huling aksidente, may ganito na naman. Ang mahalaga ay ligtas sila pareho, at ang maigi ngayon ay walang bumagsak na eroplano."