Figure 3-12 Tanker Orbit Rendezvous

LOW-LEVEL AND TACTICAL FORMATION

CHAPTER THREE

Tanker Orbit Rendezvous

This is the only rendezvous in which the receiver maneuvers his aircraft to affect the rendezvous

and join-up. The receiver is responsible for maintaining the required 1000 feet of vertical

separation from the tanker until visual contact is established. The tanker will maintain an orbit at

the refueling altitude, at a specified location and allow the receiver to maneuver for rendezvous.

Prior to join-up and at least 5 minutes prior to ARCT, the tanker slows to refueling airspeed and

establishes the refueling altitude. The receiver will approach the tanker position from 1000 feet

below the refueling altitude maneuvering to 1 mile in trail and will then climb to the observation

position when cleared by the tanker.

Figure 3-12 Tanker Orbit Rendezvous

Tanker Enroute (Overtaking) Rendezvous

The tanker aircraft approaches the receiver(s) with 1000 feet of altitude separation and

establishes radio contact well in advance to confirm exact position of the receiver formation.

The receiver formation will be at 170 KIAS. When in visual contact with the receiver(s), the

tanker pilot maneuvers to overfly the receiver(s) and communicates to the receiver formation the

refueling heading to be maintained. Once ahead of the receiver(s), the tanker will slow to 170

KIAS and clear the receiver(s) to the observation position.

TACTICAL/AERIAL REFUELING PROCEDURES

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