A fighter pilot breaks down one of his most dangerous tasks: aerial refueling
Justin Lee, Sandboxx
Aerial refueling is one of the more dangerous tasks fighter pilots need to master.
Throughout pilot training, you’re taught the biggest mistake you can make is to hit something with your aircraft—which is why the first time you refuel in the air, it can be nerve-racking. The concept is to join up with a tanker—essentially a hollowed-out airliner filled with fuel—close to within a few feet and allow the tanker to connect a boom to your jet so it can transfer fuel to your aircraft.
I remember refueling for the first time in the skies above western Arizona. My flight lead, who was in another F-16, and I locked up the tanker with our radars and closed to within a few thousand feet. We then started our “pre-refueling†checklist, which is surprisingly simple; first, open your refueling receptacle so the jet can accept the tankers’ fuel, and next, turn off your radar, so you’re not radiating the crew in the tanker.
https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/how-does-aerial-refueling-work-air-force
