In- Flight Refueling.

How Does it Work?

Aerial refueling, also known as air-to-air refueling, in-flight refueling, and tanking, is the process of
transferring aviation fuel between two aircraft mid-flight. The aircraft loading the fuel is known as the
“tanker,” with the recipient being the “receiver.”
Aerial refueling allows aircraft to remain in the air for much longer than is usual, and the process can
also lead to fuel and time savings during extended manned flights. As the process is inherently dangerous
due to the proximity the aircraft must maintain, aerial refueling is typically reserved for military
operation flights greater than 3,000 nautical miles.
TYPES OF AERIAL
Probe-and-drogue” – This system has the tanker use a
long hose with a funnel-shaped drogue to plug into a
probe on the receiver. Once the tanker extends the hose,
the receiver pilot must maneuver the receiving probe to

REFUELING
latch onto the drogue. The latching must be done at a
particular speed; moving too slowly will cause the probe
not to latch, and moving too quickly will puncture or
break the hose.
TYPES OF AERIAL
REFUELING
Flying boom – This system uses a rigid tube,
named the boom, to connect the two aircraft. A
dedicated operator directs the boom into a small
opening on the recipient aircraft. The Air Force
favors this system as the flying boom transfers fuel
faster than the probe-and-drogue (6,000 lbs/min
vs. 2,000 lbs/min).