Air Refueling emergencies

Question 1

Overrun (-1)

Answer 1

receiver will reduce airspeed to 255 KCAS OR Vmma
whichever is HIGHER
maintain track and altitude
slats may be extended to permit lower Vmma if required

if receiver loses sight of tanker after overrunning, receiver shall establish positive rate of descent to 1000 ft below AR altitude until receiver is definitely positioned aft of the tanker and has the tanker in visual contact

Question 2

Lost wingman (-1)

Answer 2

establish a heading that diverges 15 degrees from the formation
contact ATC
request separate IFR clearance to the AR alternate

Question 3

reverse flow AR (-1)

Answer 3

should only be used for emergency fuel transfer
terminate when fuel remaining reaches 30,000 pounds in each inboard, 12,000 pounds in each outboard
fuel transfer rate will be ~1600 PPM

Question 4

breakaway (-1 procedures)

Answer 4

PF: press AP/AR disconnect button on stick
press ATS/AR disconnect button on autothrottles
throttles to idle
extend speedbrakes
establish a positive rate of descent and drop aft of
tanker until entire tanker is in sight
maintain visual contact with other aircraft

PM: press AP/AR disconnect button on stick
maintain visual contact with tanker until clear
if visual contact lost-attempt to establish radar
contact with tanker
turn on rotating beacon lights when clear

if receiver loses sight of tanker after overrunning, receiver shall establish positive rate of descent to 1000 ft below AR altitude until receiver is definitely positioned aft of the tanker and has the tanker in visual contact

Question 5

emergency boom latching

Answer 5

automatic limit switches disconnected

only receiver can disconnect

Question 6

siphoning

Answer 6

fuel transfer stopped

can continue at receiver discretion

Question 7

spillage

Answer 7

immediate disconnect

do not continue unless malfunction is corrected

Question 8

failure to disconnect

Answer 8

stay in stable position
PF disconnect stick, then throttle, then PM
reference the checklist

Question 9

inop boom/receptacle latching

Answer 9

fuel emergency must exist

no latch just forward pressure from boom

Question 10

Loss of visual contact (ATP)

Answer 10

1) immediately disconnect
2) call “CS, loss of visual contact”
3) slow down 10 KIAS

If tanker straight and level:

4) hold tanker heading
5) descend at least 1000 ft below the tanker
6) after 30 sec, resume normal airspeed

If tanker turning:

4) roll wings level
5) descend at least 1000 ft below the tanker
6) when stable, turn to tanker’s heading
6) after 30 sec, resume normal airspeed

Question 11

breakaway (ATP procedures)

Answer 11

“TANKER callsign BREAKAWAY x3”

1) immediately disconnect
2) move back and go to a safe position clear of the tanker and the refueling equipment
3) descend at least 1000 ft below the tanker

Question 12

practice emergency separation altitude termination (11-2C-17V3)

Answer 12

will terminate NO LOWER THAN 500’ below tanker altitude

Question 13

PDLs fail to illuminate when making contact

KC-135

Answer 13

the receiver should disconnect and await instructions

if refueling is continued, verbal corrections from the boom operator may be requested

Question 14

PDLs fail during contact

KC-135

Answer 14

the receiver is to initiate a disconnect and return to the astern position

if refueling is continued, verbal corrections from the boom operator may be requested

Question 15

PDLs fail to illuminate when making contact

KC-10

Answer 15

receiver pilot will inform the boom operator if AAR will continue

if refueling is continued, verbal corrections from the boom operator may be requested

Question 16

PDLs fail during contact

KC-10

Answer 16

receiver should notify the boom operator and await instructions