AA Refuelling - left basket only?

[Bobetta]

Hi all!

 

I always perform AA refuelling on both KC-130 and KC-135 in my training routine. I always connect to the left basket but today, for a change, I tried connecting to the right basket but I could not plug my probe.

 

Is the right basket on the tanker only aestethic? :glare:

 

Thank you!

[Svend_Dellepude]

From my experience #1 connects to left, #2 connects right. If you send your wingie first you will connect to the right.

[Bobetta]

From my experience #1 connects to left, #2 connects right. If you send your wingie first you will connect to the right.

 

Thank you! I'll try that out. :thumbup:

 

P.S. I usually fly without wingman... :megalol:

[Guzzo]

You cannot connect to right basket unless left one is busy with someone else

[Nealius]

Isn't this incorrect according to USN/USMC procedure though? Shouldn't lead be on the right, 2 on the left? I would think so, since the post-refuel spot is off the tanker's right wing. Or did I get that mixed up with the USAF procedure?

[Bobetta]

Isn't this incorrect according to USN/USMC procedure though? Shouldn't lead be on the right, 2 on the left? I would think so, since the post-refuel spot is off the tanker's right wing. Or did I get that mixed up with the USAF procedure?

 

I usually perform the approach\refuelling\post-refuelling as indicated in the Harrier's refuelling training mission which should be what the NAVY does: approach from 1000ft below the tanker altitude on the left, 45° formation, move into position on the left basket, refuel, move into the "parking" position up and left.

 

The USAF uses the boom and not baskets but I don't know how it is performed throughout.

 

I fly with wake turbulence setting on and I wanted to try the right wing wingtip vortix effect for a change.

 

Thank you all for the replies. :thumbup:

[RED]

 

I usually perform the approach\refuelling\post-refuelling as indicated in the Harrier's refuelling training mission which should be what the NAVY does: approach from 1000ft below the tanker altitude on the left, 45° formation, move into position on the left basket, refuel, move into the "parking" position up and left.

 

The USAF uses the boom and not baskets but I don't know how it is performed throughout.

 

I fly with wake turbulence setting on and I wanted to try the right wing wingtip vortix effect for a change.

 

Thank you all for the replies. :thumbup:

 

That's not what the USMC or Navy or NATO does. If both hoses are working, the first aircraft goes to the right and the second one (usually the wingman) goes to the left hose. That's because the overall flow is from left to right. It's pretty annoying that you can't use the real flow in DCS or have to call the tanker in an inverted order.

[Bobetta]

Red,

 

is your screenshot from a publicly available document?

 

Thank you!

[RED]

Red,

 

is your screenshot from a publicly available document?

 

Thank you!

 

It is.

 

https://www.japcc.org/aar/

[markturner1960]

in DCS, then the only way tp practice refueling on the right is to make a mission with a wingman and send him to tank first? Other than doing it online of course?

[Nealius]

Regardless of boom or basket, flow is typically from left to right IIRC. Queued aircraft off the left wing, fueled aircraft off the right wing.