Originally Posted by
brn2fly72
I flew E-3 from mid 2000 until late 2007. Couple of things I want to bring up.
3) Refueling in an E-3 is all hand flown. We don't have an autopilot for refueling nor do we have any systems that make it easier like power assist. I am not a Buff guy but I have been told that they have something like power steering that is used in AR (air refueling). One of you Buff guys can chime in here.
Pretty sure EVERY receiver pilot is hand flying the closure from precontact/astern. For tanker pilot...optional.
I'm sure the reason a breakaway wasn't called was because both the Boom & the AWACS were probably caught off guard with the near mid air. As a receiver pilot, I care more about using my limited brain cells to fly my jet away from the tanker rather than to toggle the mic and say breakaway.