by Major Mark "Slarti" Collins, 187th VFW Avengers

In Close (See Figure 4)

Now we’re in really close. When you can see the boom, you want to be approaching walking speed overtake. Here you will notice that I have fallen below this speed. At this point I am having to add throttle. Also note the position of the tanker in the HUD. RESIST THE URGE TO PUT THE FLIGHT PATH MARKER ON THE TANKER OR YOU WILL PERMANENTLY MERGE WITH THE TANKER.

Remember, the tanker is flying the horizon, so to hook up with the tanker, you must fly the horizon. If you need any pitch correction it should be extremely minor . Bring the Flight Path Marker just over the Horizon Line, then put it back. We are talking a matter of 5 to 10 feet vertical movement here. Also note, I am just a little off the correct roll axis. A small correction to the left will take care of this.

Figure 4.

We are now approaching the tanker at approximately the correct speed, altitude, and attitude. 2100 to 2300 will give you a slow overtake of the tanker. The current speed shows 298 kts on its way up to 300.

Figure 5.

Here in Figure 6 we are almost in position for hookup. You can see the light and you can no longer see the boom. This is where you want to be.

Figure 6.

There is an attitudinal correction that will take place here. A SMALL roll to the right will correct this (almost a non-movement of the stick. Pull just off center to the right for just an instant then correct with left roll for just an instant. The left correction should be approx. ½ as long as the right correction.) Notice that the Flight Path Marker is still on the Horizon Line. This is crucial to keeping the correct pitch of the aircraft.

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Hookup!

If all is done correctly you will be rewarded with the sight below. You are hooked up and refueling. This is approximately where you want your aircraft positioned under the tanker. Do not touch the controls, just let the jet refuel.

Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows what it looks like from the outside. Once the tanker has filled you up, it will disconnect you at which point you can go where you will….If you are really devious, you may follow the course of action outlined below.

Figure 8.

And of course, no "SHOT" of an air to air refueling mission would be complete without the "Money Shot". Thought that the urge to blow it out of the sky would leave after you had conquered air to air refueling….heheheh, Guess again!!! (This is not an official practice of the 187th VFW.)

Figure 9.

Well folks…you now know how to do a mid-air refueling mission. I hope that this has been helpful. If you're ever looking for some action check out the 187th web page at www.187th.org, or come and meet with us on IRC. The web page has all the contact details..... Happy refueling!

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