Air Refueling Procedures (Tanker Perspective)
Module 3: Air Refueling Operations - Ground Instruction | Reference: ATP 3.3.4.2
OBJECTIVE
Develop proficiency in air refueling operations from the tanker's perspective, including RV Delta (Point Parallel) and RV Golf (Enroute) rendezvous procedures, MARSA declaration and responsibilities, turn radius management, courtesy calls, multi-tanker cell operations, and breakaway procedures per ATP 3.3.4.2.
Primary Reference: ATP 3.3.4.2
Air Refueling Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
RENDEZVOUS TYPES OVERVIEW
RV DELTA
Point Parallel
Tanker and receiver on reciprocal tracks, offset laterally. Tanker calculates turn range to roll out ahead of receiver.
RV GOLF
Enroute
Join-up enroute on a common track. Both navigate to ARIP, receiver overtakes from behind/below.
CONTENT
MARSA - Military Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Aircraft
MARSA is a condition where the military accepts responsibility for separation between participating aircraft. This is critical for air refueling operations.
- • Declaration: MARSA is declared when tanker and receiver are in visual contact and ready to begin AR operations.
- • Responsibility: Once MARSA is declared, ATC separation services are suspended - aircraft are responsible for their own separation.
- • Termination: MARSA ends when aircraft depart the refueling track and request ATC services.
- • Tanker's role: Tanker typically declares MARSA when visual contact established.
MARSA DECLARATION
Tanker: "Center, [Tanker C/S], declaring MARSA with [Receiver C/S]"
Both aircraft must have visual contact before MARSA is in effect.
RV Delta - Point Parallel Rendezvous
RV Delta requires the receiver to maintain an agreed track while the tanker maintains the reciprocal track, offset a pre-determined distance. The tanker calculates turn range to roll out ahead of the receiver.
KEY PARAMETERS (ATP 3.3.4.2 §2.D)
- • Minimum track length: 70 nm (straight line ARIP to ARCP)
- • Tanker speed: Indicated refuel speed for the receiver type
- • Receiver speed: Tanker speed + 20 kts (for overtake)
- • Turn range: Calculated based on TAS, AOB, and drift
- • Rollout goal: Tanker rolls out with receiver 1-3 nm behind
RV DELTA SEQUENCE (TANKER)
- Calculate turn range and offset (Tables 2D-6/2D-7)
- Declare MARSA
- Receiver 15 min call (if applicable).
- Establish on reciprocal track at briefed offset
- Monitor receiver position via A/A TACAN/radar
- Receiver IP inbound call
- Call "[Tanker C/S], [range] miles, [altitude]"
- At calculated turn range, initiate 25° AOB turn onto receiver's track
- Call on rejoin "[Tanker C/S], halfway through the turn"
- Roll out on refueling track heading
RV DELTA - POINT PARALLEL (TOP VIEW)
RECEIVER AR SPEEDS (KIAS)
Receiver flies at listed speed. Tanker matches receiver AR speed.
RV DELTA CALCULATION TABLES (25° AOB)
TABLE 2D-6: TURN RANGE (nm)
Closure Speed (Receiver TAS + Tanker TAS) vs. ARIP-to-ARCP Drift
| TAS | ← ORBIT LEFT | 0 | ORBIT RIGHT → | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15L | 10L | 5L | 0 | 5R | 10R | 15R | ||
| 3 NM ROLLOUT RANGE | ||||||||
| 1000 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 39 | |
| 975 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 36 | |
| 950 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 35 | |
| 925 | 23 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 33 | |
| 900 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 32 | |
| 875 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 31 | |
| 850 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 29 | |
| 825 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 27 | |
| 800 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 | |
| 775 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | |
| 750 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | |
| 725 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | |
| 700 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
| 675 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
| 650 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
| ½ NM ROLLOUT (A-10) | ||||||||
| 625 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
| 600 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | |
| 575 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
| 550 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | |
| 525 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |
| 500 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 NM ROLLOUT BEHIND C-130 | ||||||||
| 575 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | |
| 550 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | |
| 525 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | |
| 475 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
TAS = Closure Speed (Receiver TAS + Tanker TAS). Drift columns indicate wind effect on track.
TABLE 2D-7: OFFSET (nm)
Tanker TAS vs. ARIP-to-ARCP Drift - Lateral offset distance from receiver track
| TAS | ← LEFT | DRIFT | RIGHT → | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15L | 10L | 5L | 0 | 5R | 10R | 15R | |
| 520 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 26 |
| 500 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 23 |
| 480 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 |
| 460 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 120 |
| 440 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| 430 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 15.5 | 17.5 |
| 420 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
| 410 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 12.5 | 14 | 16 |
| 400 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| 390 | 6 | 7 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 14.5 |
| 380 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| 370 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 11.5 | 13 |
| 360 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
| 350 | 5 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| 340 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
| 320 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| 300 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 280 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 260 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 240 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| 220 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
⚠️ NOTE: Values highlighted in red (high TAS + right drift) may place aircraft outside FAA protected airspace.
HOW TO USE THESE TABLES
1. Determine Closure Speed: Add Receiver TAS + Tanker TAS
2. Determine Drift: Calculate wind effect on track (Left or Right of course)
3. Find Turn Range: Use Table 2D-6 - Enter with closure speed, read turn range at drift column
4. Find Offset: Use Table 2D-7 - Enter with tanker TAS, read offset at drift column
5. Execute: At calculated range, initiate 25° AOB turn onto receiver's track
RV Golf - Enroute Rendezvous
RV Golf facilitates a join-up enroute on a common track to make good a scheduled time. Tanker and receiver may depart from same or different bases, navigating independently to the ARIP.
KEY PARAMETERS (ATP 3.3.4.2 §2.G)
- • Track length: 15 min flying time minimum (for descent, visual, timing)
- • Tanker arrival: May arrive ~10 min early and orbit prior to ARIP
- • Receiver altitude: 1,000 ft below base AAR altitude
- • Receiver overtake: 20 kts closure speed typical
- • Comms check: 15 min prior to ARCT - confirm FL, TACAN, Mode 3, timing
RV GOLF BASIC SEQUENCE (TANKER)
- Navigate to ARIP, arrive at designated ARCT
- Consider arriving ~10 min early to establish orbit if receiver delayed
- At ARCT-15: Confirm FL, A/A TACAN, Mode 3, timing with receiver
- Establish on common track at AAR altitude and speed
- Use all locating aids to gain visual on receiver (EMCON permitting)
- Receiver closes from behind/below (1,000 ft low, 20 kts overtake)
- Clear receiver to observation when visual
- Declare MARSA
RV GOLF - ENROUTE (TOP VIEW)
RV GOLF PROCEDURE VARIATIONS
Procedure 1 - Similar Transit Speed
Tanker at AAR alt/speed at ARCT. Receiver arrives ARCT+30sec, 1,000 ft below, 20 kts overtake.
Procedure 2 - Different Cruise FL/Speed
Receiver at ARIP first. Tanker arrives ARCT+1min, overtakes from above maintaining 1,000 ft separation.
Procedure 3 - Probe & Drogue Variation
Receiver at ARIP, tanker arrives higher at ARCT+30sec, descends with 20 kts overtake, passes 2 wingspans right.
AAR COMMUNICATIONS TIMELINE
| SITUATION | TANKER | RECEIVER |
|---|---|---|
| PRE-RENDEZVOUS | ||
| 15 min prior to RV | Set Radar/RV Beacon (where fitted). Set A/A TACAN to appropriate channel (ensure Y- or X-channel set appropriate to receiver capability) | Set Radar/RV Beacon (where fitted). Set A/A TACAN to appropriate channel (unless required for navigation). Transmit receiver IFF |
| RV Initial Call (following ATC clearance) |
"[Receiver C/S], [Tanker C/S] for RV [type]. My FL/altitude, when cleared, your FL/altitude, set A/A TACAN [channel], Mode 3, [timing if required], [altimeter if not 1013.2mb/29.92"]" | "[Tanker C/S], [Receiver C/S], when cleared, my FL/altitude, TACAN [channel], Mode 3, [timing if required], [altimeter if not 1013.2mb/29.92"], [if appropriate: nose cold, switches safe]" |
| JOIN PHASE | ||
| Receiver has radar contact, takes responsibility for closing | — | "[C/S] Judy" |
| Receiver has visual contact approaching tanker | — | "[C/S] Visual" |
| Receiver cleared to join tanker | "[C/S] Clear join" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver in Echelon Left position | — | "[C/S] Echelon Left" |
| REFUELING PHASE | ||
| Tanker AAR equipment deployed (hose trailed / boom lowered) | "[C/S] Clear astern left/centre/right" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver astern left/centre/right | — | "[C/S] Astern left/centre/right" |
| Tanker AAR equipment ready to pass fuel | "[C/S] Clear contact [specify left/right if multipoint]" | Acknowledge |
| Closing to boom contact (boom direction) | "Stabilize / Forward / Back / Up / Down / Right / Left / Return to astern" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver to disconnect | "[C/S] Disconnect" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver astern (post-disconnect) | — | "[C/S] Astern left/centre/right" |
| EMERGENCY / SPECIAL PROCEDURES | ||
| Emergency Separation | "[C/S] BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY" | Disconnect immediately |
| Practice Emergency Separation | "[C/S] BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY" | Disconnect |
| Terminate Emergency Separation | "[C/S] Terminate Emergency Separation" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver suspects damage to drogue ribs/canopy | — | "[C/S] Spokes" |
| REPOSITIONING & DEPARTURE | ||
| Receiver to move from astern to Echelon Right | "[C/S] Go Echelon Right" | Acknowledge |
| Receiver in Echelon Left/Right | — | "[C/S] Echelon Left/Right" |
| Receiver cleared to leave | "[C/S] Clear to leave" | Acknowledge |
Note: [C/S] = Callsign. Altimeter setting only required if not standard (1013.2mb / 29.92" Hg). "Nose cold, switches safe" confirms weapons status when appropriate.
Turn Radius Management & Courtesy Calls
Tankers have significantly larger turn radii than fighters. Courtesy calls allow receivers to anticipate tanker maneuvers and maintain position safely.
- • Turn radius awareness: Large aircraft require miles to complete turns - plan ahead.
- • Standard rate turns: 3°/second (2-minute turn) typical for tanker maneuvering.
- • Bank angle: Limit bank during refueling ops - typically 15-25° max.
- • Lead time: Call turns 10-15 seconds before initiating.
- • Purpose: Allows receiver to adjust position and anticipate flight path changes.
TANKER COURTESY CALLS
"Tanker's coming left"
10-15 sec before initiating left turn
"Tanker's coming right"
10-15 sec before initiating right turn
"Tanker's rolling out"
When returning to wings level
"Tanker's steady"
Established on new heading, stable
"Tanker's descending/climbing"
Before altitude changes
TURN RADIUS CONSIDERATIONS
Multi-Tanker Cell Operations
When operating as part of a multi-tanker cell, additional coordination and communication procedures are required.
- • Cell formation: Tankers typically in echelon or trail, 1-2 nm spacing.
- • Cell lead: Lead tanker coordinates timing, turns, and altitude for the cell.
- • Callsigns: Use cell callsign for formation calls, individual callsigns for receiver coordination.
- • Receiver assignment: Pre-brief which receivers go to which tanker.
- • Sequencing: Coordinate receiver flow between tankers if multiple receivers.
MULTI-TANKER RADIO CALLS
"[Cell C/S], coming left to [heading]"
Cell lead directing formation turn
"[Cell C/S] 2, in position"
Wingman confirming formation position
"[Receiver C/S], proceed to [Tanker 2 C/S]"
Directing receiver to specific tanker
"[Cell C/S], fence out, RTB"
Cell departing AR track
CELL FORMATION PARAMETERS
Refueling Track Management
- • Track entry: Coordinate with ATC, establish on track at briefed altitude/airspeed.
- • Altitude block: Typically assigned ±1,000 ft block for AR operations.
- • Airspeed: Standard AR airspeed per receiver type (brief specific).
- • Track timing: Monitor track endpoints, call turns in advance.
- • Anchor management: Adjust orbit timing to accommodate receiver delays.
TRACK PARAMETERS
Receiver Join & Management
- • Observation position: Clear receiver to observation (1,000 ft, 30° bearing).
- • Pre-contact: Clear receiver forward to pre-contact position.
- • Contact: Clear receiver to contact position for refueling.
- • Disconnect: Direct disconnect when refueling complete or for repositioning.
- • Reform: Direct receiver to reform position after refueling.
TANKER CLEARANCE CALLS
"Cleared to observation"
Receiver may close to 1,000 ft
"Cleared pre-contact"
Move to staging position
"Cleared contact"
Move to contact position
"Disconnect"
Separate from contact
Breakaway Procedures
Breakaway is an emergency separation maneuver initiated when continued contact is unsafe. Either aircraft can initiate a breakaway.
- • Initiation: Any crew member can call breakaway for any safety concern.
- • Call: Three times - "BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY"
- • Tanker action: Maintain altitude and heading, flash exterior lights.
- • Receiver action: Throttle IDLE, speed brakes OUT, descend and clear.
- • Vertical separation: Receiver descends minimum 500 ft below tanker.
- • Rejoin: Coordinate rejoin only after both aircraft stable and cause identified.
⚠️ BREAKAWAY PROCEDURE
"BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY"
TANKER:
- Flash exterior lights
- Maintain altitude
- Maintain heading
- Maintain airspeed
- Monitor receiver separation
RECEIVER:
- Throttle - IDLE
- Speed brakes - OUT
- Descend minimum 500 ft
- Clear tanker flight path
- Maintain visual
BREAKAWAY CAUSES
• Receiver oscillations
• Closure rate excessive
• Position limits exceeded
• Equipment malfunction
• Turbulence/weather
• Traffic conflict
• Crew incapacitation
• Any safety concern
Communications Summary
- • Primary freq: AR frequency assigned in ATO/briefing.
- • Backup freq: Pre-coordinated backup if primary fails.
- • Guard: Monitor 243.0/121.5 throughout.
- • A/A TACAN: Set channel for ranging during RV.
- • Brevity: Use standard brevity - clear, concise calls.
TANKER COMM FLOW
1. "[Receiver], [Tanker], radio check"
2. "[Receiver], [Tanker], [range] miles, [position]" (RV update)
3. "[Tanker], visual, declaring MARSA"
4. "Tanker's coming [left/right]" (courtesy)
5. "[Receiver], cleared [observation/pre-contact/contact]"
6. "[Receiver], disconnect, reform"
7. "[Receiver], refueling complete, [instructions]"
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate understanding through oral quizzing. Must be able to:
- • Explain MARSA concept, declaration, and responsibilities
- • Describe RV Delta (Point Parallel) rendezvous procedure including turn range/offset calculation
- • Demonstrate use of Tables 2D-6 and 2D-7 to determine turn range and offset
- • Describe RV Golf (Enroute) rendezvous procedure and variations
- • Explain turn radius considerations and courtesy call procedures
- • Describe multi-tanker cell operations and communications
- • Demonstrate breakaway procedure knowledge (tanker and receiver actions)
- • Recite tanker clearance calls and courtesy calls from memory
Completion: Demonstrate understanding via oral quizzing per vTAC vAETC standards
REFERENCES
- • ATP 3.3.4.2 Air Refueling (Annexes 2D, 2G - Tables 2D-6, 2D-7)
- • AFI 11-2KC-135V3 (or applicable tanker)
- • AFTTP 3-3 Combat Aircraft Fundamentals
- • MCM 3-1 Multi-Service Brevity Codes