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Omega Tanker (K-707) Air Refueling Procedures Brief. OMEGA 707 TANKER. Boeing 707 modified as a tanker aircraft Dual centerline refueling drogues Looks like KC-135 Feels like KC-10 Consistent with NATOPS/USAF/NATO procedures (ATP-56B). TANKER FEATURES. Hose/Drogue Assembly
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OMEGA 707 TANKER • Boeing 707 modified as a tanker aircraft • Dual centerline refueling drogues • Looks like KC-135 • Feels like KC-10 • Consistent with NATOPS/USAF/NATO procedures (ATP-56B)
TANKER FEATURES • Hose/Drogue Assembly • Sergeant-Fletcher design • 80+’ long white hose • 10’ black markings • 20’ refueling range • 1’ black markings
10’ BLACK marks Note: this is a picture of an aircraft disconnecting, its positioning is too far away to receive fuel
TANKER LIGHTING • Status Light (Dimmable) • Green underbelly beacon- fuel is flowing • Amber underbelly beacon- tanker is ready • Red underbelly beacon- dead hose/tanker not ready • Position Lighting • Red-lower beacon • Green- Lower Fueling Beacon • White- Nacelle (dimmable), Fuselage (dimmable) , Logo • Navigation Lighting • Standard aircraft Green/Red/White
Tanker Status Lights
TANKER RESPONSIBILITIES • Tanker arrives 5-15 min prior to ARCT or “On Station” time • Tanker provides WX avoidance • Tanker maintains ATC or CV comms (Strike/Control freq + Boom)
RENDEZVOUS PROCEDURES • Standard ATP-56B/ U.S. Navy Refueling Anchor • 250-275 KIAS • Left-hand turns unless otherwise required • Joint or Navy terminology okay • Check-in/Join up Procedure (A/R Freq) • Call sign/Offload request • Cleared to Port Observation • Maintain 1000’ altitude (below)1 NM lateral separation until visual with Tanker aircraft
AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES • Omega Flight Engineer will clear receiver to “PRECONTACT” position • Hose in trail, steady amber light - Tanker READY. • When stable and cleared “CONTACT,” receiver initiates contact. • Once in contact, move hose in 5 -10 ft. • Green light on/amber light off/Tanker pumps operating
AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES • Proper position is on centerline, at the same altitude as where the basket flew at pre-contact, 5-10 ft in. Note 4-5 black marks on hose (53-73 feet of hose extended) • 200-300 gal/min flow rate: depends on receiver’s fuel state (usually lower fuel state= higher flow rate) and fuel tank cross-feed setup • Prowler flow rate 150-250 gal/min • Monitored/taped by video cameras • F/E calls: “back 10”; “up 10” etc.
COMMON MISTAKES • Following common mistakes are detrimental to both tanker and receiver: • Excessive Closure Rates • Initiate your approach with closure under control • Poor positioning and control • Repeated, Excessive large swings of the hose in contact position • Work diligently to remain in position while receiving fuel • Excessive disconnect rates • Disconnect slowly • Disconnecting from outside envelope limits • Ensure in initial contact position prior to disconnecting • “Leave the basket where you found it”
AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper F/A-18 Series Day Sight Picture
AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper E/A-6B Series Day Sight Picture
AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper Night Sight Picture
EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 1 Left: EA-6B too low and close Right: F/A-18 too low and close Note only 3 markings
EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 2 F/A-18 too close Note only 3 markings
EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 3 F/A-18 too far away Note 5 black marks on hose, 1 blocked by basket
POST AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES • After pre-briefed offload, receiver initiates disconnect. • Reform on RIGHT wing, await wingman. • When flight is rejoined, cleared to depart to right. • Request rough offload on boom freq once established on right wing.
ABNORMAL PROCEDURES • Inside or Outside refueling range (73’-53’) • Amber light flashes/green light out • Emergency disconnect (BREAKAWAY!) • Called by anyone due to an unsafe condition • RED lower status tanker light will flash
ABNORMAL PROCEDURES • Tanker system failure - both baskets stowed • Tanker will RTB/notify controlling agency. • Dead hose - steady red light • Air refueling will not be attempted on dead hose. • Stow the bad basket/extend the backup drogue. • Downed aircraft - Tanker will maintain orbit until SAR arrives on-scene.
MORE INFORMATION • Omega Air Refueling Website • More pictures • Videos of tanking ops • Mission Planning Information • Email and Phone Contact Information www.OmegaAirRefueling.com
URGENT SCHEDULE CHANGES • Notify Omega Ops • Email:Ops@OmegaAirRefueling.com • Phone: Ryan Murphy 757-646-0085 Robert Proano 619-534-0235