Khan's Air Force

For many corporations today, company air power is a strong measure of success. By that same principle Khan Industries, as the largest and most successful corporation in the modern world, possesses a corporate air force superior to all others. Khan Industries' massive air shipping division consistently outperforms rival corporations and independent cargo companies in sheer capacity, safety, and reliability. In addition, the fighter squadrons of Shere Khan's elite pilot corps — expert pilots flying advanced fighter planes — dominate the skies, protecting Khan Industries operations and engaging in special missions at Chairman Khan's personal request.

Khan Pilots

Khan Industries pilots are the backbone of Shere Khan's massive air fleet. Skilled aviators, dedicated workers, and loyal employees, Khan pilots carry out their assignments with great efficiency and effectiveness. They are universally, though sometimes grudgingly, acknowledged by peers and rivals alike as some of the finest corporate airmen in the skies.

Many of Shere Khan's pilots at one time flew for rival corporations themselves, or worked as freelance cargo pilots in the independent sector. Under Khan Industries' pilot training programs, the considerable flight and navigation skills of these men are honed further through dedicated training and hands-on practice at the controls of Shere Khan's transports and fighter planes. Discipline and obedience characterize the ideal Khan Industries pilot, as well as complete dedication to the corporation and the pilot's own duties. Due to their prestige within Khan Industries, Khan pilots usually display an attitude of arrogant superiority toward freelancers and corporate pilots, which can quickly lead to arguments and fights inside local taverns and other pilot hangouts.

The commander of Khan Industries flight operations.

Khan Industries pilots operate under a military chain of command beginning at the top with the Flight Operations Commander. A veteran pilot and former squadron leader, the commander takes great pride in the accomplished airmen under his command. Responsible for overseeing all Khan Industries flight activities and answerable only to Shere Khan himself, the commander maintains discipline throughout the company's pilot ranks, but refuses to needlessly overwork his pilots or send them on "jinx runs" through dangerous areas for questionable purposes.

Transport Division

The majority of Khan pilots serve in Khan Industries' vast air transport division, part of the corporation's Khan Shipping branch. Khan transport pilots make hundreds of cargo deliveries daily to locations all over the world, including major cities, harbor communities, and Khan Industries' factories and businesses. They may also carry sensitive or important items along secret Khan Industries cargo routes such as the "Master Run," an ultra-secret route which passes through the rock formation known as the Twin Spires.

Khan Shipping provides air transport services for outside clients as well, such as small companies and private businesses. Offering reliable delivery and considerable security, Khan's air transport division runs into competition from independent shipping firms, many of whom manage to attract customers with much lower rates. Notwithstanding, Khan Shipping remains a profitable leading division of Khan Industries.

Khan transport crews typically consist of two crew members, a pilot and a copilot/navigator. With air piracy endangering shipments along major shipping lanes, Khan navigators receive training in aircraft gunnery and man the transport's gun turrets during an attack. Though not trained specifically as combat pilots, Khan transport crews are expected to show fighting instincts in the face of danger and resist boarding attempts by any means, even if their only weapons happen to be repair tools. Realistically, against overwhelming odds, many crews choose to surrender rather than demonstrate heroic resolve by fighting to the bitter end.

Elite Pilot Squad

Those Khan Industries pilots with the right blend of skill, commitment, and discipline may be eligible to join the ranks of Shere Khan's elite pilot squad, a special group of flyers entrusted with important missions and special assignments. About forty men in number, the members of Khan's elite squad are hand-picked from the standard pilot ranks based upon their exemplary career performance, remarkable physical fitness, and particularly aggressive loyalty to Shere Khan and Khan Industries.

Shere Khan's elite pilots receive extensive training in air combat, learning dogfighting tactics, aerial gunnery, and combat maneuvering from the cockpits of their Khan Industries "Panther" class fighter planes. Each of Khan's elite pilots stands among the best of the best in aviation. Together they form one of the world's toughest fighter air forces, rivaling even the Cape Suzette defense squadron in skill and tenacity. Their duties involve protecting important cargo shipments, guarding Khan Industries facilities and airbases, and occasionally launching preemptive strikes against suspected air pirates.

Known for their single-mindedness and unquestioning devotion to the corporation, Khan's elite pilots accept clandestine assignments from Shere Khan, carrying out his instructions to the letter. Generally these men receive orders directly from Khan himself, though sometimes executives or high-level employees gain authorization to command Khan's elite pilots. The orders these pilots receive are strictly confidential, but one can imagine that Shere Khan may employ his elite pilots in suspicious, less than savory activities.

KHAN ELITE PILOT
DEXTERITY 3D Dodge 4D, firearms 4D+1 KNOWLEDGE 2D+1 MECHANICAL 3D+2 Aircraft gunnery 5D, aircraft piloting 5D, navigation 5D+1 PERCEPTION 3D Command 5D, search 4D+2 STRENGTH 3D Brawling 4D, climbing/jumping 4D+1 TECHNICAL 2D Aircraft repair 4D+2

Shere Khan's Private Plane

Shere Khan owns a number of small private aircraft manufactured by Khan Industries, which he uses for making business trips and leisure flights from Cape Suzette. Built for comfort, Shere Khan's personal three-engine cruiser contains interior lighting, stylish carpeting and furniture, and a small beverage cabinet. A state-of-the-art, combination speaker phone and radio keeps Chairman Khan in constant touch with Khan Tower during his travels.

Aside from variations in controls and cockpit design, Khan's private planes are practically identical. Each aircraft requires a crew of three — pilot, copilot, and navigator — although one person can operate the plane alone in an emergency. Considering the importance of the primary passenger, Khan's private aircraft are flown only by experienced crew members trained thoroughly in on-the-spot aircraft maintenance.

KHAN'S PRIVATE PLANE
Craft: Khan Industries Private Air Cruiser Type: Passenger aircraft Scale: Aircraft Length: 60 feet Skill: Aircraft piloting: air cruiser Crew: 3, skeleton: 1/+5 Crew Skill: Aircraft piloting 4D+2, navigation 5D Passengers: 6 Cargo Capacity: 1,500 lbs. Cost: $75,000 (new), $40,000 (used) Top Speed: 220 mph Weapons: None Hull: 4D