To maintain air operations Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft need to be refueled, some to finish return to base, others to "top off" en-route to a target. Air Force KC-135A's and KC-10's have been called in to provide air refueling services.
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MISSION OBJECTIVE
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They say timing is everything, well in this VFR mission that couldn't be more true. You will refuel two F/A 18's from the Eisenhower on your first track then, with proper timing, refuel an E-3 enroute to Okinawa.
The F/A 18's need to top off before attempting "Traps" on the Eisenhower, they don't want to get caught on a "go Around" with low fuel.
Timing is extremely important don't miss the rondevous, or someone won't make it back ! The challenge is see how close to your tail you can put the aircraft you are refueling.
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Hints and Tips
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Some adjustment will need to be made upon initial insertion to the tracks to refuel the aircraft. This mission is strictly VFR, so stay on course and on speed!
You have been cleared for a "Straight-In" approach to make your life a litte easier. Do not land at Burevestnik, it is not your destination. Hitting the "Final Approach waypoint leaves almost "On Centerline, On Glideslope."
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Flying the KC-135 A
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Take-off: Apply brakes and bring the airplane up to full power then release brakes. You will need about 130 Knots to get the KC-135 airborne. After 130 Knots, establish a 2 1/2 degree climb rate, your airplane will begin to climb.
At 450 Feet AGL (Above Ground Level) retract gear, you will begin to build speed. After 150 Knots retract flaps and establish your best rate of climb (About 12-15 derees).
Landing: Extend your Landing Gear only after establishing a consistant descent on glideslope, even with full power straight and level flight with gear and flaps results in a slow unrecoverable stall (not enough energy to recover).
Stalls with flaps retracted occour at about 150 Knots. With good energy (nose down attitude) and flaps extended expect your stall speed to be about 130 Knots. Use your rudder (one and three on your numeric keypad) to steer keeping the wings
straight and level.
Bleeding energy with the brakes is quite effective, both in the air and on the ground.
Don't forget to pay attention to the fuel requirements section and leave only the total fuel required in your airplane, it's wasteful and makes the airplane much harder to control.
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ORDER OF BATTLE
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Force Size : One
Recommended aircraft : KC-135
Recommended weapons : None
Fuel recommendations:
Mission requirement = 45,000 lbs.
Reserve = 10,000 lbs.
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Total fuel required = 55,000 lbs.
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THREAT DATA
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GROUND THREATS : None
AIR OPPOSITION : Unknown
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MISSION SUCCESS
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Nobody got killed, way to go
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MISSION FAILURE
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Flying a heavy aircraft is a game of finese and energy control, practice is the order of the day!