Airline Pilot Central Forums - Turbulent Tanking

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BDGERJMN (Post 653050)

I tend to just put an entire loop in the hose and let it rest on the nose..which is fine right up until you need to back out....that actually happened to me once and I still to this day don't know how I didnt rip the probe off or clip and AOA probe. I think I said to myself......whoa I don't want to ever do that again.

Concur - I've laid the loop on the nose before. In the summer of '95 up in Alaska we were tanking on a daily basis off -135s (part of my divison lead workup) prior to the mission (Cope Thunder). I wasn't having trouble getting in, but everytime the tanker went into a turn, I got spit out. On the second day when I got spit out the first time, my -2 (who was my XO) came up on tac and said "Get in the [ ] basket, stay in the [ ] basket, and don't fall out of the [ ] basket again!"
Got to love that understanding tough love side of the XO :D:eek: Btw - I've never fallen out of a basket, any basket, since (knock on wood).

USMCFLYR

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR (Post 652429)

The -135 basket is usually steady - but it is a VERY unforgiving basket and putting that 90 deg kink to get the fuel flowing and holding it there in - especially in weather - can be nerve racking!USMCFLYR

USMCFLYR
Its time to let you guys in on a BAD rumor on the 90 deg kink. On the -135 and I am sure its the same for the KC-10 YOU can't control the fuel flow, and you don't need the kink (I think that is your Navy AR system only) when you make a contact with the drougue the pilots turns the pump on and you get fuel, it has nothing to do with the kink. So don't work harder then you need just make contact and we will do the rest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cficpilot (Post 653102)

Don't know the system workings on the -135; but if it is as you say then we have been lied too :eek:
On USN/USMC systems (and the KC-10), you have to push the hose in a certain number of feet to get the fuel to flow. Don't push it in far enough - or push it in too far - and the flow stops.
So...you're saying that if I engage the -135 with the probe only and did NOT put any bend in the hose that fuel would still flow then? If that is the case - I can't keep it in that few inch window - I need some play; so maybe that is the purpse of the kink.

USMCFLYR

You are correct about the KC-10. You gotta push in. If you don't push enough or go too far, the fuel stops.

I have no idea about the "strap on" .. not my airplane.

Actually, on the -10 you do need a slight kink.

But on the 135, yes, it is a myth that you need to kink the hose. A boom operator once told me that he thinks the myth came about because some booms use the kink as a good indicator that the probe has made contact, and decide to start pumping gas when they see it.

You do not need a kink on the KC-10.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy (Post 653134)

You do not need a kink on the KC-10.

Ya, I mean they have to push in...like you said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastoff (Post 653133)

Actually, on the -10 you do need a slight kink.

But on the 135, yes, it is a myth that you need to kink the hose. A boom operator once told me that he thinks the myth came about because some booms use the kink as a good indicator that the probe has made contact, and decide to start pumping gas when they see it.

Now that I could believe - combined with the need for SOME play while in the basket.

USMCFLYR

MPRS (wingtip) pods need to be in the "envelope" for a pumping condition, no?

That vid make me break out in a cold sweat. My "night in the barrel" wasn't behind the boat, it was behind the basket. Luckily we were in the Isabella track in R2508 and diverts were plentiful.