Ass to Mouth (AR GK ) Flashcards
Emission Control (EMCON) Option 1
EMISSION OPTION 1: Any and all emitters are authorized to ensure timely training/feedback and maximum safety; Emission Option 1 will normally be used for qualification, requalification, category qualification and difference training for tanker or receiver
units. Emission Options 2 and 3 may be used for essential training provided tanker and receiver units conduct verbal coordination prior to flight. Tanker boom operators
will give verbal corrections when required to ensure receiver aircraft maintains proper envelope position.
Minimum Equipment for AR
- AN/APX-105 - Radar beacon, two pulse variable width
- UHF/DF
- TACAN A/A (Range and Bearing)
- Weather Radar
- Any additional MEL requirements
What is the AN/APX-105?
An AN/APX-105, I-band radar beacon is installed for aircraft identification, bearing, and
range guidance. It is typically used for aerial refueling. The beacon responds to interrogations providing the tanker aircraft with a reply target on their radar.
Response range of the beacon is up to 300 NM. Its antennas are located on both sides of the vertical stabilizer. Radar beacon control is accomplished through the MCD’s RADAR BEACON and COMM EMITTER CONTROL pages.
Turbulence and Visibility for AR
Turbulence
Do not plan AAR if SEVERE turbulence is forecast
Terminate refueling if MODERATE turbulence is encountered
Visibility
1 NM for single ship tanker or receiver
2 NM for formation tanker or receiver
Fuel Transfer Rate(s)
KC-135 – 6000 lb/min
KC-10 – 8000 lb/min
C-17 Onload Rate
4 Tanks – 7650 lb/min
2 Tanks – 3500 lb/min
Reverse A/R – 1600 lb/min
C-17 Communications / Monitoring
- All primary crewmembers will monitor the air refueling frequency
- PF will monitor only interphone and the air refueling frequency during rendezvous and air refueling
- At least one other pilot will monitor UHF guard frequency
Tanker / Receiver RZ Speeds & altitude envelope
C-17 Rendezvous airspeed - 310 KCAS
KC-10
Airspeed - 285 KCAS
Altitudes - 12,000 ft. to 31,000 ft.
KC-135
Airspeed - 265 KCAS
Altitudes - 3,000 ft. to 31,000 ft.
KC-46
Airspeed - 275 KCAS
Altitudes - 5,000 ft. to 31,000 ft.
TANKER AIRCRAFT LIGHTS
A single tanker performing a rendezvous will always display RED/RED in the upper and lower rendezvous lights. The spare tanker will not display a rendezvous light during the rendezvous. However, if the spare is used during the air refueling the appropriate color code will be displayed until the receiver is in the pre-contact position. Refer to Table 8-2 for KC-135 and KC-10 identification lighting.
Both the KC-135 and KC-10 lead will be RED/RED and his wingman will be WHITE/WHITE. A third tanker will display BOTH Red and White on top and bottom. A fourth tanker will be White over Red.
Tanker Boom Compression Poundage
- KC-10: 600lbs
- KC-135: 200lbs
- KC-46: 1200lbs
Tanker Visual Signals
BOOM in Trail
- Extended: Ready for contact.
- Fully Extended: Tanker in manual operation without tanker disconnect capability, OR Acknowledge receiver’s Manual Boom Latching signal
- Fully Retracted: Offload complete
Tanker Visual Signals
BOOM Stowed
- Fully Retracted: Tanker AR system is INOP
- Zero degrees elevation, extended 5 feet: System malfunction. Tanker and receiver check air refueling systems.
AR Visual Signals (other)
- Flashing PDIs and/or lower Rotating Beacon ON (tanker): BREAKAWAY
- PDIs extinguished during contact: Tanker request for disconnect, receiver returns to precontact position
- Receiver closing and opening receptacle door while in pre-contact position “nom nom nom”: Emergency boom latch request, or Acknowledge tanker’s manual operation without tanker disconnect capability
- Steady light or rocking wings (receiver): Emergency fuel shortage exists.
- Flashing light from receiver cockpit area: Initiate toboggan maneuver.
AR Visual Signal (additional fuel required Day/Night)
Same receiver returns to pre-contact with receptacle door open:
- Day: Pilot signals closed fist, thumb to mouth plus hand signaling number.
- Night: Same receiver returns to pre-contact with receptacle door open, ready for contact.
AR DISCONNECT Types
There are two major classifications of disconnects: planned and inadvertent. Planned disconnects may be initiated by either the receiver pilot, copilot, or tanker boom
operator activating a disconnect switch.
Disconnects may be initiated by the receiver if less than a full load is required, if a malfunction is suspected, or for training purposes.
How to reset the signal amplifier system
Depress the ATS/AR (air refueling) disconnect-reset switch (throttles), after the boom is clear
of the receptacle. This will illuminate the READY light and the DISCONNECT light will go out.
Disconnecting in an Emergency
To disconnect in an emergency, the receiver pilot and copilot must be prepared at all times to press the air refueling AP/A/R button on the control stick. If the DISCONNECT
light does not illuminate, press the ATS/A/R Disconnect-Reset button (throttles).
Every effort should be made to stay in the contact position until certain that the boom is clear of the refueling receptacle, unless a serious emergency exists or a breakaway has been called.
OVERRUN PROCEDURE
If the receiver overruns the tanker, the receiver will reduce airspeed to 255 KCAS or Vmma, whichever is higher, and maintain track and altitude.
Slats may be extended to permit lower minimum maneuvering speed, if required.
AR Vernacular: AIR REFUELING CELL
Two or more tankers and/or receivers
AR Vernacular: A/R Echelon
A 60 degree right echelon on formation lead (measured from receiver lead’s longitudinal axis) with a 1 NM separation nose-to-nose.
AR Vernacular: EMISSION OPTIONS
Options developed to allow aircrew to rendezvous and air refuel using four levels of emission control.
Define: STABILIZED PRECONTACT POSITION:
The position approximately 50 feet behind and slightly below the tanker boom nozzle where the receiver stabilizes before being cleared to the contact position.
3 C’s prior to the IP
- Cleared Into The Block Altitude
- Cleared To Conduct AR
- Cleared to AR Frequency
3 R’s
- Radios: Monitor AR Primary
- Radar: Set your radar / beacon / tacan
- Rendezvous check: should be accomplished prior to descent but no later than departing the IP inbound
When should you accomplish the precontact checklist
When Visually Maneuvering to the Pre-Contact Position
