Tanker command
-
I get the “callsign, cleared to contact position”. Then I don’t make a connect. After getting behind the tanker again, I don’t get another “callsign, cleared to contact position”. Does the tanker give the call only once, or does it make the call each time I get into position?
-
Just once. Once you are ‘cleared to contact position’ …. it’s up to you to get in position, however long that takes. The Boom Operator is VERY patient.
-
I’ll need more patience than the boom operator. So far, I haven’t connected. Do I have to give the command, “Ready to take fuel”? I haven’t seen that command documented in the Training.pdf.
-
For the most part the ‘Y-2’ command is unnecessary and doesn’t accomplish anything. The may be some very limited, rare exceptions, but in 99.9% of cases (if ever), you don’t need it.
If the boom is down and the lights work when you get under the tanker, it’s just a matter of finding ‘the spot’ and staying there. I will say it’s harder now than it used to be. The ‘tractor beam’ effect is almost non-existent. Once you fly in to position, the lights should go off …. when that happens HOLD position and wait (stop searching), the boomer is moving to connect.
-
…If the boom is down and the lights work when you get under the tanker, it’s just a matter of finding ‘the spot’ and staying there. I will say it’s harder now than it used to be…
This is hard. I can get cleared to contact, but where is ‘the spot’? I’ve been floating under that tanker in the training TE, package 4977, forward, backward, down, up, boom! It would be helpful if a picture just at the time of contact, (‘the spot’), was posted for TE, Pkg 4977.
-
@jc1:
This is hard. I can get cleared to contact, but where is ‘the spot’? I’ve been floating under that tanker in the training TE, package 4977, forward, backward, down, up, boom! It would be helpful if a picture just at the time of contact, (‘the spot’), was posted for TE, Pkg 4977.
Ok, tested it out just to be sure it wasn’t something odd with the TE. Here’s what it looked like just the moment before it connected. I’m not in perfect position, but it connected quickly once the lights went out (as they are in the pic).
Just keep practicing. There is no other cure.
-
Just to be clear, the tanker will give you two directives.
1. Clear to precontact position
2. Clear to contact position.If he has only given you #1, you can try to get underneath him all day long and you will never get connected.
Once you get into the correct precontact position, he will clear you to contact position, that’s when he will connect with you. -
Here is a video i just made, i just get behind the tanker and press y+1 and then both command come at the same time and i just go forward and refuel.
The tanker start to accelerate to 300kts when you press y+1 so you need to use the throttle a little bit more:
Regards
F -
Here is a video i just made, i just get behind the tanker and press y+1 and then both command come at the same time and i just go forward and refuel.
….
For someone new, or struggling to connect, I do not advise this.
The tanker loiters at ~270-ish knots and 24,000 feet (iirc). His normal track while fueling is ~305 knot and 21,000 feet. If you Y-1 while very close, you’ll be trying to get into position while the tanker is accelerating and descending. IMHO, better to practice/learn when the tanker track is stable. If you Y-1 at/near 10 miles, it gives the tanker time to get to a stable fueling speed and altitude.
$0.02
-
Agave, Badger, Fenrir, with all your advice and the great training manual, I’ll keep at it, unless my fingers squeeze the joystick outta shape.
-
@jc1:
…unless my fingers squeeze the joystick outta shape.
Don’t. If you can, move the stick with your finger tips. You’ll be able to give much finer control inputs that way.