Chapter 51

Frank adjusted his chair and kept his eyes on the aircraft coming at him. The closer it got, the less he liked it. Nighttime fools the senses, but Frank had afeeling, and he did not like it. He turned off the autopilot, took evasive action at the last minute. He turned to the right and forced the aircraft down, and as quickly as he could.

As he looked out the window, the other aircraft passed him going southbound at ten thousand feet. They missed each other by less than one hundred feet.

Center, this is Zed9245, reporting a near miss with a southbound aircraft at ten thousand feet. I am currently descending 9500 feet, returning to course directly to Pisa.

Zed9245, this is Center, I am not in contact with any other aircraft in your area. I see the aircraft, on radar. A will track him to his destination. The authorities will be there to greet him. You will be met at Pisa for a statement, also. Climb and maintain ten thousand feet."

Zed9245, roger.