F-35 Probe and Drogue

[Bob Viking]

LAL

All is forgiven.
They say you're only as good as your last prod. Well that means I'm a legend forever since I plugged first time on my last tanking sortie and, until someone decides to stick a probe on a Hawk (a model that I'm likely to fly - I know there are varieties that can tank), my status won't change.
By the way, if I could remember my log in details then maybe I would.
BV

[cuefaye]

One of my last prods was a screw-up. I broke the probe off!! But oh my, the circumstances

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

LAL - quite understand your impatience with 'armchair' posters. Likewise; thus I try to avoid doing it on stuff I know nothing about. By chance, my last prod was a C-130.

[pontifex]

justanopinion

I have to disagree with you. A TP is not the "best man for the job", particularly if it is large aircraft AAR handling that is being assessed. Unless, of course, he has the relevant prior experience. Yes, I am now one of the armchair warriors but, in this case, I do know that of which I write. Been there, seen that, done it.

[AR1]

Difficulty refulling eh? Not the first.

[ian16th]

3 Probe Tips later and a lot of egg

Probe ends, both the original flat ones and the later tulip ones, were so common on 214 in the late 50's early 60's, they were used as paper weights

Whenever the looser of the probe end phoned to ask if we had recovered his missing piece of brass, it was strenuously denied.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Chap I trained with managed to put his pitot tube into the basket. The blame was mainly placed on his AAR Instructor, as he was still on convex, but he was deeply embarrassed when the groundcrew presented him with said pitot tube mounted on a hardwood plinth, complete with the now useless basket which the tanker crew had provided.

Apparently, it's time to disconnect when the altimeter is full.

[Art Field]

I have made over 1000 receiver contacts with Valiant,Victor1 and 2, Vulcan, VC10, Nimrod and Herc I have tanked behind Valiant, Victor 1 and 2, Vulcan, VC10, Tristar and Herc. I must have watched thousands of receiver contacts and I reckon the most successful technique, as described by those who know, is to settle down around 5 feet behind the drogue, check settings including trim,attempt to settle heart rate (especially if AOC is sitting next to you).Now, looking up the line of the hose and applying any offset for the bow wave, increase power to give a smooth approach of 3 to 5kts on the tanker and without look at the drogue, maintain the hose line. This does not ensure success but increases your chances greatly, There will be days when that drogue looks 10 ft wide and you can not miss and there will be days when it looks 2 lnches and you certainly can.

[sycamore]

Tell the receiver it`s pink and got hair around it !

[Onceapilot]

Sage words from Art.
Good as your last prod? Not bragging. However, "maintain while we reprime the hose" has saved many an iffy situation from the other end of the hose

OAP