RAF C-17 - Inflight refueling
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With the ER tanks providing such a lot of fuel, what are the chances of fitting something like the MPRS used on a KC135, to give a C17 (KC17?) a refuelling capability as a tanker?
I know nothing about this so please bare with me as I am just 'thinking aloud' in response to the thread so far.
STH
I'll get me coat.
I know nothing about this so please bare with me as I am just 'thinking aloud' in response to the thread so far.
STH
I'll get me coat.
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Looks easy enough
Poking a hi-speed drogue in Albert at night can be a bit challenging, but once stuck is quite easy to stay on.
Conversely, getting prodded in the head with a stiff boom is relatively easy, but staying there can be a challenge - especially in a power challenged Hercules.
Courses for horses, really...
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Poking a hi-speed drogue in Albert at night can be a bit challenging, but once stuck is quite easy to stay on.
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Just remember if you miss the basket with albert and hit the HF aerials the poor fairies have to replace said item. Looks straight forward, but it confuses them as it isn't a black box to swap over. It takes them a long time to master the skill of box out box in.
Forgive my ramblings as it was a long night and the breakfast beer is starting to work.
Forgive my ramblings as it was a long night and the breakfast beer is starting to work.
USHerk, and Scroggs,
for a quick refresher, go to` Rotorheads- Gallery, p20,` possibly prodding `old BEagle`........!!
for a quick refresher, go to` Rotorheads- Gallery, p20,` possibly prodding `old BEagle`........!!
Very probably.....
Possibly the most frustrating part of all AAR work was trying to get the VC10K Mk 17 HDU set up correctly for the C-130.
We might get it to trail, but as soon as the Herc made contact, the blasted hose would often runaway in...red light on...clear Herc to echelon. Clear the Air Eng to wind it and trail it again, then try again... And again....
The low speed drogue procedure worked OK, but for the old '10 to have to fly around at the heights and speeds needed for so long must have fatigued the old things awfully - and it guzzled fuel in the 20 flap/slat out configuration.
One year we seemed to be doing rather a lot of C-130 prodding; the boss decided to make a thing of it so, like good troops, we let him make himself look rather stupid when he asked why the 10 Sqn AAR crews were only getting FJ trade.....
As one SNCO then said to him, "Perhaps it's because their C1Ks don't have centerline hoses, sir?"
Possibly the most frustrating part of all AAR work was trying to get the VC10K Mk 17 HDU set up correctly for the C-130.
We might get it to trail, but as soon as the Herc made contact, the blasted hose would often runaway in...red light on...clear Herc to echelon. Clear the Air Eng to wind it and trail it again, then try again... And again....
The low speed drogue procedure worked OK, but for the old '10 to have to fly around at the heights and speeds needed for so long must have fatigued the old things awfully - and it guzzled fuel in the 20 flap/slat out configuration.
One year we seemed to be doing rather a lot of C-130 prodding; the boss decided to make a thing of it so, like good troops, we let him make himself look rather stupid when he asked why the 10 Sqn AAR crews were only getting FJ trade.....
As one SNCO then said to him, "Perhaps it's because their C1Ks don't have centerline hoses, sir?"
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Challenging? Challenging?? I obviously didn't teach you - or if I did, you didn't remember what you learned!! Refuelling in Albert is the sport of kings; a wonderful way to exercise one's (hopefully) superior flying skills!
at a rolling donut!
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Thanks for the tips. From what I've heard, if you don't move the control column, the aircraft doesn't move either
I may not be a pro at the AAR game but it seems to me that the boom would be easier because you don't have to stay on it so long.
I may not be a pro at the AAR game but it seems to me that the boom would be easier because you don't have to stay on it so long.
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Having done both (Boom & Drogue). The Boom offers a much quicker flow rate.
Lights on Boom system make life easier when you get in. A KC-10 has so much power in its Boom that it can actually re-position you if you are out of position!
Basket can be a handful to get into. But are always good for a laugh.
BDA is rediculous Full Stop!
Wing Pods on KC-135 are tricky - especially if you are on the left!
Centreline on KC-10 is too flimsy
VC-10 is simply the best Drogue - But I wish it has a boom.
Despite having a huge fuel load, sometimes AAR is essential if you need a small fuel load to cater for a short take-off run and AAR after airborne to go the extra mile, or if your load has a tricky C of G that you need full or strangely balanced fuel to even remain within C of G. - & I'm not just talking about Transport Aircraft!
.
thanks mystic....
Lights on Boom system make life easier when you get in. A KC-10 has so much power in its Boom that it can actually re-position you if you are out of position!
Basket can be a handful to get into. But are always good for a laugh.
BDA is rediculous Full Stop!
Wing Pods on KC-135 are tricky - especially if you are on the left!
Centreline on KC-10 is too flimsy
VC-10 is simply the best Drogue - But I wish it has a boom.
Despite having a huge fuel load, sometimes AAR is essential if you need a small fuel load to cater for a short take-off run and AAR after airborne to go the extra mile, or if your load has a tricky C of G that you need full or strangely balanced fuel to even remain within C of G. - & I'm not just talking about Transport Aircraft!
.
thanks mystic....
Last edited by L J R; 16th Mar 2005 at 20:16.
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Doing both types (boom & basket) fairly regularly, IMHO boom is harder.
Basket is a bit of a joust but once you are in, your flying can afford to be a lot less precise (the basket can be dragged around a fair bit, the boom envelope is fairly tight).
However, its horses-for-courses.....this p.m I got lucky first time with the basket so big grins!! (thanks Fagin!!)
Basket is a bit of a joust but once you are in, your flying can afford to be a lot less precise (the basket can be dragged around a fair bit, the boom envelope is fairly tight).
However, its horses-for-courses.....this p.m I got lucky first time with the basket so big grins!! (thanks Fagin!!)