Shilin flicked the switch on the right of his instrument panel to power his engines, and then moved the throttle from the stop position so that fuel would flow from the tanks to the engines. With his right hand, the pilot pressed the ignition. The engines roared and the plane came to life. With a quick motion, Shilin activated all on-board systems and equipment; the electrical power was the last to come on.
The technical personnel on the airfield were already awaiting their orders. Shilin shook his hand in a distinct motion like that of a fluttering bird to signify “remove the safeties”. With well-trained movements, a technician pulled the safeties out of the launchers for Shilin’s on-board missiles, holding them up one by one so that the pilot could see them. In response, Shilin nodded a
