A/N: So I had my introductory flight March 20th, and learned a lot of cool things. One of the things my instructors did was cut off the engines while flying, and nothing much more than that happened when he did so. I figured I could turn that knowledge into a one-shot (though, since I've got a couple more lessons this spring break, I may turn this into a series based on what I learned each time). Why not? Enjoy! Reviews appreciated!
One of the best things Murdock enjoyed about missions were the different aircraft he got to fly. Normally Face was responsible for picking out (ahem, scamming) the type of bird he got his hands on, but occasionally that choice fell to him. He loved it. Sometimes he couldn't make up his mind, and only because he was pressed for time would he pick the most practical plane or chopper instead of his favorite one. He would apologize to all the other aircraft as he climbed aboard, promising to come back to them for their turn.
In this particular instance, in the down-in-the-dumps airfield, he chose a smaller plane than was their usual transport. Yeah, B.A. would hate it more, but the smaller planes were easier to land in a field should circumstances ever come to that.
In his haste to procure the lovely bird, he hadn't been able to perform a thorough pre-flight check. That field option was looking more and more real if he read the gauges correctly.
Yep- there went the engines.
The timing was fortuitous, Murdock observed. He was almost to the guys, anyway. He pushed the trim to its limit and then pulled back on the stick to keep the nose level.
Quiet.
When most people thought of engine failure in an airplane (while it was flying) they pictured it screaming out of the sky, out of control, and the crew bailing out. Granted, that had happened a few times to Murdock, but normally other factors were in play. The fuselage was full of bullet holes, or the ailerons were stuck, part of their tail had been shot off- those would pitch you in a nosedive.
But if it was just a loss of power? Pretty piece of cake.
Keeping the nose level, Murdock relaxed as the plane sailed in a comfortable glide. They still weren't too far from the others, though in case weather problems sent them down sooner than planned he kept an eye on every available field below. He was pretty confident, however, that they would make it.
"Why, I know I couldn't clean you up when I first picked you, but there'll be time for that once we're down, don't you worry," he cooed reassuringly. "That way you'll get a proper check an' I can make sure everything's as it's supposed to be. But you're a good ol' gal, aren't ya? You're not panicking or anythin' over this- I'll bet you've done this before, haven't ya?" He patted the instrument panel. "Well, right now it's just you an' me up in the big blue." He settled back in his seat, a peaceful smile coming over his face.
2000 feet up in the air and falling steadily and smoothly. Murdock sang quietly to himself and used the time to just look out at the sky. No radio chirped. No engine drowned out everything else. No bullets flying at him.
Just him.
And the plane.
And the sky.