View Full Version : AMI Leonardo HH-101 CEASAR successful AAR
chopper2004
28th Feb 2020, 10:48
rifornimento tanker record sei ore in volo per HH101 (http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/comunicazione/notizie/Pagine/rifornimento-record-sei-ore-in-volo-per-HH101.aspx)
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1066/ddc2cb92_e73f_4fda_80f7_a4e20e0420a2_7f7f7713f477da363ed52fe 7dfbbf28a752ce863.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1200/499d360a_ec3e_4d4c_a161_bcb5d86144af_4b159585f0e3dfa1faa3d00 74472f2769ff87e29.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1066/f6bf19e9_13ef_4b87_ad16_91e7975b4f3a_bbccf0c7b508b79f7183fdc fe6e95f207bc07cd8.jpeg
Fareastdriver
28th Feb 2020, 11:46
A bit high in that last shot. Lucky they didn't take the probe tip off.
They would have done if they were doing 250 knots.
switch_on_lofty
28th Feb 2020, 11:54
A bit high in that last shot. Lucky they didn't take the probe tip off.
They would have done if they were doing 250 knots.
What point are you trying to make? How could you take probe tip off?
A 101 can't do 250kts...
Surely for RW AAR if you're a bit high then less chance of taking drogue off with rotors...
Mil-26Man
28th Feb 2020, 13:45
The tip of the probe on a Merlin is actually angled down, so with the 'pole' angled up in this image the tip itself is actually level.
unmanned_droid
29th Feb 2020, 12:58
Too high or too low could lead to excessive bending moment on the probe, even if the tip is in the correct orientation.
MightyGem
29th Feb 2020, 21:17
How could you take probe tip off?
Admittedly, a longer probe, but...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAdpKpppZiA
dangermouse
1st Mar 2020, 15:15
pic 1 is in pre contact
Pic 2 is at contact
Pic 3 is in refuelling position, in line with wing tip dump pipe ( normal for RW AAR behind a KC130 )
nice to see it being done in service though
DM
ShyTorque
1st Mar 2020, 16:31
I have done AAR courtesy of the 551st but I wouldn't consider myself an expert by any means. However, sitting a bit high would help keep the helicopter rotors out of the C-130's downwash, which can be quite intense, especially if refuelling from the starboard side. As per the CH-53 video, turbulence leading to PIO can be very dangerous. The Americans lost another CH-53 some years ago, in a similar accident when the main rotors contacted the hose.
TBM-Legend
1st Mar 2020, 21:29
It's surprising that the RAF didn't convert a few short J models into special ops aircraft including tanking given the Chinook and Merlins that could have had AAR...
dangermouse
2nd Mar 2020, 08:17
see above
DM
Davef68
2nd Mar 2020, 11:01
It's surprising that the RAF didn't convert a few short J models into special ops aircraft including tanking given the Chinook and Merlins that could have had AAR...
The Merlins have always had an AAR capability, and the first HC4 roll-out had the probe refitted. the problem comes from the Airtanker agreement and who can AAR UK military aircraft.
https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/royal-navy-receives-first-merlin-hc4-but-could-request-future-in-flight-refueling-capability/128245.article
vascodegama
2nd Mar 2020, 18:37
Air Tanker only have exclusivity if they can provide the facility. Can the Merlin tank at 260 KIAS ? (Hose limit on pod) or 180 (FRU limit).
The RJ manages AAR without Air Tanker .
dangermouse
3rd Mar 2020, 07:55
and none planned is the issue. Refuel speed must be somewhere in the 120-130kts range as thats the drogue limit. Technically UK Merlin is cleared for AAR but without a Kc130 fleet or pods on the Atlas there is no hope of CHF getting to use the facility, let alone retain currency. Shame but unless we can obtain enough access to foreign tankers (very unlikely imho) it just ain't gonna happen
DM