Air Refueling Air Refueling Procedures Procedures
BriefBrief
UPDATED UPDATED MARCH 2012MARCH 2012
FTI ProceduresFTI Procedures FilingFiling
AP1BAP1B GPGP
Rendezvous Types and Rendezvous Types and ProceduresProcedures
RV Alpha (Anchor)RV Alpha (Anchor) RV Delta (Point Parallel)RV Delta (Point Parallel) RV Golf (En Route)RV Golf (En Route) Checklist ManagementChecklist Management Communications PlanCommunications Plan
Air refueling areaAir refueling area RVIP/RVCP (ARIP/CP/CT)RVIP/RVCP (ARIP/CP/CT) OffsetOffset
FMS SetupFMS Setup Seagull / RVIP-RVCP lineSeagull / RVIP-RVCP line
Recommended PFD Recommended PFD SetupSetup
Air refueling altitude, Air Air refueling altitude, Air refueling track, Air refueling refueling track, Air refueling speedsspeeds
Overrun and Under-run Overrun and Under-run ProceduresProcedures
ClosureClosure
Closure from ½ mile to Closure from ½ mile to Contact PositionsContact Positions
Boom Limits DemoBoom Limits Demo
Breakaway ProceduresBreakaway Procedures
Role Reversal ProceduresRole Reversal Procedures
RecoveryRecovery
FilingFiling
AP1 B Chapter 4AP1 B Chapter 4 AR exampleAR example
GP Chapter 4GP Chapter 4 Flight plan exampleFlight plan example
AP1 BAP1 B
COMMUNICATION/RENDEZVOUS COMMUNICATION/RENDEZVOUS PLANPLAN
a. Primary UHFa. Primary UHF
b. Backup UHFb. Backup UHF
c. APN 69/134/135 Settings c. APN 69/134/135 Settings (Beacon)(Beacon)
d. APX 78/Encode/Decode d. APX 78/Encode/Decode (Transponder)(Transponder)
e. TACAN Channels e. TACAN Channels Receiver/TankerReceiver/Tanker
1.1. Track Name/DirectionTrack Name/Direction
2.2. NavigationNavigation
3.3. Comm/RV planComm/RV plan
4.4. AR Altitudes (Block)AR Altitudes (Block)
5.5. Scheduling unit (preflight Scheduling unit (preflight planning)planning)
6.6. ARTCC (SODAR)ARTCC (SODAR)
AP1 BAP1 B
COMMUNICATION/RENDEZVOUS COMMUNICATION/RENDEZVOUS PLANPLAN
a. Primary UHFa. Primary UHF
b. Backup UHFb. Backup UHF
c. APN 69/134/135 Settings c. APN 69/134/135 Settings (Beacon)(Beacon)
d. APX 78/Encode/Decode d. APX 78/Encode/Decode (Transponder)(Transponder)
e. TACAN Channels e. TACAN Channels Receiver/TankerReceiver/Tanker
1.1. Track Name/DirectionTrack Name/Direction
2.2. NavigationNavigation
3.3. Comm/RV planComm/RV plan
4.4. AR Altitudes (Block)AR Altitudes (Block)
5.5. Scheduling unit (preflight Scheduling unit (preflight planning)planning)
6.6. ARTCC (SODAR)ARTCC (SODAR)
DD175 DD175
Rendezvous Rendezvous RV Delta (Point Parallel)RV Delta (Point Parallel)
Rendezvous: RV Golf Rendezvous: RV Golf (Enroute)(Enroute)
AR Training Flight AR Training Flight OverviewOverview
Ground Ops- Per Formation FTI chapter.Ground Ops- Per Formation FTI chapter. Takeoff and depart to area as a formation.Takeoff and depart to area as a formation. If weather precludes section takeoff, use If weather precludes section takeoff, use
established rendezvous procedures to established rendezvous procedures to effect rejoin in the area.effect rejoin in the area.
Tanker to CP, Clears Receiver to Tanker to CP, Clears Receiver to rendezvous altitude and to IP.rendezvous altitude and to IP.
ChecklistChecklist Comm PlanComm Plan Tanker Procedures.Tanker Procedures. Receiver Procedures.Receiver Procedures.
ChecklistsChecklistsRendezvous /Pre-descent ChecklistRendezvous /Pre-descent Checklist1. Radios …………………………..Set (P,CP)1. Radios …………………………..Set (P,CP)2. Crew..………………………Notified (P,CP)2. Crew..………………………Notified (P,CP)3. Radar..………………………..Standby (CP)3. Radar..………………………..Standby (CP)4. TAS………………...................As Req (CP)4. TAS………………...................As Req (CP)5. Altimeters..…………………As Req (P,CP)5. Altimeters..…………………As Req (P,CP)6. TACAN A/A……………….....As Req (CP)6. TACAN A/A……………….....As Req (CP)7. MARSA (Tanker)………………Declare (P)7. MARSA (Tanker)………………Declare (P)
Prep for Contact (Completed before 1/2 Prep for Contact (Completed before 1/2 mile)mile)
1. Crew……………...Ready for Refueling (P)1. Crew……………...Ready for Refueling (P)2. Exterior Lights………………..As Req (CP)2. Exterior Lights………………..As Req (CP)3. Autopilot……………....Disengaged (P,CP)3. Autopilot……………....Disengaged (P,CP)4. Transponder…………………..…..Off (CP)4. Transponder…………………..…..Off (CP)5. Seat Height……….......Adjust as req 5. Seat Height……….......Adjust as req
(P,CP)(P,CP)
Simulated Contact Simulated Contact 1. Position…………………Monitor (P,CP,OB)1. Position…………………Monitor (P,CP,OB)
After Air RefuelingAfter Air Refueling1. After Refueling Report………..As 1. After Refueling Report………..As
Req (CP) Req (CP) 2. External Lights ………………..As Req 2. External Lights ………………..As Req
(CP)(CP)3. Transponder ……………………….Set 3. Transponder ……………………….Set
(CP)(CP)4. TAS……………………………As Req (CP)4. TAS……………………………As Req (CP)5. Altimeters………………………..Set 5. Altimeters………………………..Set
(P,CP)(P,CP)6. Crew …………………………...Notified 6. Crew …………………………...Notified
(P)(P)
Communications PlanCommunications Plan
Interplane --- 140.525Interplane --- 140.525
(Pri)Interplane (Sec)--- 140.625(Pri)Interplane (Sec)--- 140.625
A/A TACAN--- 29Y receiver / 92Y A/A TACAN--- 29Y receiver / 92Y tankertanker Ensure TACAN is set To AA.Ensure TACAN is set To AA.
Simulated Air Refueling Simulated Air Refueling AreaArea
Seagull Central working area.Seagull Central working area. Can coordinate any altitude block.Can coordinate any altitude block. Accept MARSA and inform Seagull of Accept MARSA and inform Seagull of
multiple breakups and rendezvous.multiple breakups and rendezvous. Ensure lateral and vertical boundaries Ensure lateral and vertical boundaries
honored.honored. If needed can coordinate two blocks and If needed can coordinate two blocks and
designate longer IP/CP line or designate designate longer IP/CP line or designate different IP/CP for alternate seagull different IP/CP for alternate seagull procedures. procedures.
RVIP CRP 115/55
RVCP CRP 115/38
OFFSET
INITIAL POINTINITIAL POINT CRP CRP 115/55115/55
CONTROL POINTCONTROL POINT CRP 115/38CRP 115/38
HOLD POINTHOLD POINT CRP 115/38CRP 115/38
-- DISCONTINUITY ---- DISCONTINUITY --
SEAGULL BOUNDARIESSEAGULL BOUNDARIES
FMS SETUPFMS SETUP
PRIMARY NAVPRIMARY NAV – FMS – FMS
PRESETPRESET – VOR TUNED TO CRP – VOR TUNED TO CRP
#1 NEEDLE#1 NEEDLE – TCN (AIR-AIR) – TCN (AIR-AIR)
#2 NEEDLE#2 NEEDLE – VOR2 (DME FROM – VOR2 (DME FROM CRP)CRP)
COURSECOURSE – DETERMINED BY – DETERMINED BY FMSFMS
SPEEDSPEED – A/R 150 TANKER / 180 – A/R 150 TANKER / 180 SELECTED RECEIVERSELECTED RECEIVER
HEADINGHEADING – A/R OB OR IB WIND – A/R OB OR IB WIND CORRECTEDCORRECTED
PSAPSA – TANKER ALTITUDE, SET – TANKER ALTITUDE, SET PRIOR TO JOINPRIOR TO JOIN
RECOMMENDED PFD DISPLAYRECOMMENDED PFD DISPLAY
OFFSET OFFSET COURSECOURSE
1.1. Set up intercept between the RVCP and RVIP (CP in Set up intercept between the RVCP and RVIP (CP in Green). Green).
2.2. USE 2 mile OFFSET on FLT PLAN page.USE 2 mile OFFSET on FLT PLAN page.
3. Inhibit FMS sequence.3. Inhibit FMS sequence.
4. Verify offset on Progress Page.4. Verify offset on Progress Page.
Increase to180KTSIncrease to180KTS Decrease to 150KTSDecrease to 150KTS
1 1000’1 1000’
Decrease to 140KTSDecrease to 140KTS Sets Max Cruise Power Sets Max Cruise Power
until 1NMuntil 1NM
1 1000’1 1000’
Overrun/ Under-run Overrun/ Under-run ProceduresProcedures
OVERRUNOVERRUN Tanker airspeed – Tanker airspeed – Receiver airspeed – Receiver airspeed –
Receiver will then call “terminate overrun Receiver will then call “terminate overrun procedures” when within procedures” when within NM and NM and below the tankerbelow the tanker
UNDER-RUNUNDER-RUN Tanker airspeed – Tanker airspeed – Receiver airspeed – Receiver airspeed –
Receiver will then call “terminate under-run Receiver will then call “terminate under-run procedures” at NM and procedures” at NM and below the tankerbelow the tanker
Receiver Closure Airspeed/ Altitude Receiver Closure Airspeed/ Altitude ScheduleSchedule
3 NM3 NM 180 KIAS180 KIAS 1000’ below tanker1000’ below tanker
2 NM2 NM 180 KIAS180 KIAS 1000’ below tanker1000’ below tanker
1 NM1 NM 180 KIAS180 KIAS 1000’ below tanker1000’ below tanker
½ NM½ NM 170 KIAS170 KIAS 500’ below tanker500’ below tanker
.3 NM.3 NM 160 KIAS160 KIAS 300’ below tanker300’ below tanker
Pre-contactPre-contact 150 KIAS150 KIAS 15’ below tanker15’ below tanker
Receiver Closure Airspeed/ Altitude Receiver Closure Airspeed/ Altitude ScheduleSchedule
3 NM3 NM KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
2 NM2 NM KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
1 NM1 NM KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
½ NM½ NM KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
.3 NM.3 NM KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
Pre-contactPre-contact KIASKIAS below tankerbelow tanker
500’ below .5 DME behind
1000’ below 1 DME behind
.3 DME /300 FT below.3 DME /300 FT below
Precontact PositionPrecontact PositionPRECONTACTPRECONTACT
Receiver will stabilize 50’ behind on 30º bearing lineReceiver will stabilize 50’ behind on 30º bearing line
Closure 3 Closure 3 PrecontactPrecontact
PrecontactPrecontact
Contact PositionContact PositionCONTACTCONTACT
KC-135 verse KC-10 position lightsKC-135 verse KC-10 position lights
Contact PositionContact PositionCONTACTCONTACT
KC-135 verse KC-10 position lightsKC-135 verse KC-10 position lights
Closure 4Closure 4 Contact Contact
ContactContact
Boom LimitsBoom Limits
KC-135KC-135Up/Down 30º ± 10Up/Down 30º ± 10
Left/Right ±10ºLeft/Right ±10º
Fore/Aft 6.1 – 18.3 ftFore/Aft 6.1 – 18.3 ft
KC-10KC-10Up/Down 30º ± 10Up/Down 30º ± 10Left/Right ±19ºLeft/Right ±19ºFore/Aft 6.1 – 21 ftFore/Aft 6.1 – 21 ft
Boom Limits DemoBoom Limits DemoRight Limit demoRight Limit demo
The visual The visual indications of indications of the right the right position position include lining include lining up directly up directly behind the behind the tanker right tanker right engine inboard engine inboard exhaust stack, exhaust stack, and the tanker and the tanker tail fixed on the tail fixed on the top edge of the top edge of the receiver receiver windscreen. windscreen.
• The tanker vortices tend to push the receiver aircraft to the center. Inexperienced The tanker vortices tend to push the receiver aircraft to the center. Inexperienced pilots will over correct when trying to return to centerline behind the tanker. pilots will over correct when trying to return to centerline behind the tanker. Opposite aileron to the direction of drift back to center may be necessary to slow Opposite aileron to the direction of drift back to center may be necessary to slow down the rate of return and avoid an overshooting oscillation. A technique for down the rate of return and avoid an overshooting oscillation. A technique for moving from center to the left or right is to ratchet the aircraft slowly to the outer moving from center to the left or right is to ratchet the aircraft slowly to the outer limit then stabilize.limit then stabilize.
Boom Limits DemoBoom Limits DemoLeft Limit demoLeft Limit demo
The visual The visual indications of indications of the left the left position position include lining include lining up directly up directly behind the behind the tanker’s left tanker’s left engine inboard engine inboard exhaust stack, exhaust stack, and the tanker and the tanker tail fixed on the tail fixed on the top edge of the top edge of the receiver receiver windscreen. windscreen.
• The tanker vortices tend to push the receiver aircraft to the center. Inexperienced The tanker vortices tend to push the receiver aircraft to the center. Inexperienced pilots will over correct when trying to return to centerline behind the tanker. pilots will over correct when trying to return to centerline behind the tanker. Opposite aileron to the direction of drift back to center may be necessary to slow Opposite aileron to the direction of drift back to center may be necessary to slow down the rate of return and avoid an overshooting oscillation. A technique for down the rate of return and avoid an overshooting oscillation. A technique for moving from center to the left or right is to ratchet the aircraft slowly to the outer moving from center to the left or right is to ratchet the aircraft slowly to the outer limit then stabilize.limit then stabilize.
Breakaway ProceduresBreakaway Procedures ““BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY” BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY”
Either aircraft in the formation can call a Breakaway.Either aircraft in the formation can call a Breakaway.
TANKER PROCEDURESTANKER PROCEDURES Increase power Increase power Start a climb but do NOT decrease airspeed to lower than 150KTSStart a climb but do NOT decrease airspeed to lower than 150KTS If in a turn, maintain established bank angleIf in a turn, maintain established bank angle Turn on Rotating BeaconsTurn on Rotating Beacons
RECEIVER PROCEDURESRECEIVER PROCEDURES Receiver PilotReceiver Pilot
Actuate autopilot/boom disconnect Actuate autopilot/boom disconnect Power to IdlePower to Idle Start rate of descent away from TankerStart rate of descent away from Tanker Transition to instrumentsTransition to instruments Props full forward if necessary to assure safe separationProps full forward if necessary to assure safe separation
Receiver Co-pilotReceiver Co-pilot Actuate autopilot/boom disconnect switchActuate autopilot/boom disconnect switch Turn on TASTurn on TAS Turn on Rotating BeaconsTurn on Rotating Beacons Keep Visual of Tanker confirming aircrafts are well clearKeep Visual of Tanker confirming aircrafts are well clear
Role Reversal ProceduresRole Reversal Procedures TankerTanker
Turn to receivers’ reciprocal headingTurn to receivers’ reciprocal heading With 3NM separation is attained with increasing DME. With 3NM separation is attained with increasing DME.
Coordinate a altitude swapCoordinate a altitude swap Descend to 1000’ below A/R altitudeDescend to 1000’ below A/R altitude
ReceiverReceiver Maintain present airspeed and altitude till 3NM with Maintain present airspeed and altitude till 3NM with
increasing DME is attainedincreasing DME is attained Climb to A/R altitudeClimb to A/R altitude
When both aircraft report level at their respective altitudes, the When both aircraft report level at their respective altitudes, the “New tanker” will proceed to the ARCP. The “New Receiver” “New tanker” will proceed to the ARCP. The “New Receiver” will proceed to the RVIP and give his simulated 15 min call.will proceed to the RVIP and give his simulated 15 min call.
The procedure for a RV Delta (point parallel rendezvous) is then The procedure for a RV Delta (point parallel rendezvous) is then initiatedinitiated
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?