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Description
This F-15 'Eagle' is about to be refueled. The receiver pilot (F-15 pilot) at this point cannot see the end of the boom, the part that will make the connection with his aircraft during the refueling. Therefore, the receiver pilot has to depend on directions from the boom operator. This is done via two-way radio, or, if radio silence is to be maintained, via a multi-colored light panel at the underside of the tanker (a KC-135E). The boom operator will tell the pilot whether he wants him to come closer, higher, or whatever. This requires incredible skill on the part of the receiver pilot. The two aircraft travel at about 450mph and moving forward two or three feet, or coming up a couple of feet requires a real sensitive touch on the throttles.
Once the boom operator has the receiver where he wants him, he will extend the boom two, three feet, move the boom up, down, left or right slightly if necessary to make the connection with the receptacle. On this aircraft the receptacle is the little square at the far right edge of the shadow cast by the wing of the flying boom. They will then stay connected until the refueling is completed.
During the refueling the tanker pilots responsibility is to maintain a stable platform and determine which fuel bladders are used for the refueling. Fuel bladders in the tanker are located throughout the lower part of the fuselage and in both wings. The maximum fuel load this kind of tanker can carry is close to 200,000 lbs. The pilots concern when transfering fuel is to maintain a weight balance within the tanker. Fuel can be transferred at a rate of up to 1000 gal/min, but the transfer rate is determined by the receiver aircraft hydraulic limitations. Fighters like this one have hydraulic systems that allow less fuel to be transferred. The boom operator has to be qualified for each aircraft type he refuels, for day and for night refuelings. He has to be familiar with each type of aircraft aerodynamics, because each aircraft is different. Each aircraft creates a bow wave while flying, and in large types, like a C-5, C-17, B-1, B-2, or B-52 these bow waves may affect the flight characteristics of the tanker. Bow waves are much like a bow wave of a subway, that creates a draft in the station that it approaches before it even reaches the station.
Refueling is usually done at an altitude of 27,000-ft. +/- a few thousand feet. It is usually done in clear air. The danger during clear air refueling is clear air turbulence, or micro bursts that cannot be seen. For this reason there are emergency brakeaway procedures in place for the just-in-case scenerio.
The most difficult refueling conditions for the boom operator is twilight, or if there is a slight overcast, either above or below the aircraft. Under those conditions depth perception is most difficult.
The boom operator in this kind of aircraft is laying on his stomach in the center bunk. Left and right of him are additional bunks for observers. During this refueling I am to the right of the boom operator, or in the left bunk in the direction of flying. This refueling took place over the Pacific Ocean between Guam, Mariana Islands and Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. This picture was taken in March 1984 and was later scanned.
Thank you for viewing and commenting on my previous uploads.
Comments (22)
auntietk
The thumbnail sucked me in, but your narrative kept me fascinated and on the edge of my seat! Fabulous presentation. Thanks for sharing this with us.
CavalierLady
Fascinating shot, Sig. I've seen it on TV, but it seems so much more real knowing you were right there and took this shot. Wonderful narrative. Thanks for this!
bkhook
Awesome view and informative narrative. I was a crew chief on FB111's (bombers used on Libya and now defunct) with KC135's on the base so I can very much appreciate this... Thank-you
Winterclaw
From what I've heard, it sounds like you need a lot of trust to pull that off.
Richardphotos
phenomenal capture and experience
amlondono
Fantastic capture Sig , narrative too ! how did you take it ? Ana
Cosine
An amazing shot, Sig, and thanks for the detailed and informative narrative.
amorales
Fascinating narrative. Thanks for posting. On the photographic side, if you tweak the levels, you can get rid of the yellow tint.
delaorden_ojeda
really impresive capture, thanks for the narrative, excelent work !
nikolais
men at work...stunning;y unique capture and story
timtripp
remarkable photograph and a really informative story. thanks
jocko500
wow what a pov that most people do not see. This is very good shot
carrotsoup
Great shot thanks for bringing it to us.
huseyn
İ love thıs shot, ıt ıs awesome....
bebert
impressionnant shot !!
moochagoo
Is that a "secret" picture ? Impressive !
artaddict2
One Heck of a shot Sig, I don't know how I have missed this one. Thanks for sharing this with us and enthralling information ! Truelly Amazing!
junge1
@moochagoo. No this is no 'secret' picture. It is just a picture of a mid-air refueling.
cameraobscura2
Greetings Siegfried, I have always wanted to be a pilot and to know that you have been one is fantastic! Have a great day and thank you for sharing. egmont
DukeNukem2005
Bravo! It is very beautiful!
junge2
IS this an F-18 or a 15? Sign, Bill Kren
junge1
junge2. Boy, Bill will see this and probably have a good laugh. He has the ability to laugh at himself.