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I'm doing a story on my A2A flight I had when we refueled 2 A-10s over NH. I would like to put in what the normal range is for refueling A-10s?

Do they fly in the racetrack pattern, if so, how long are the two straight aways and how wide is the pattern?

I understand on Heavies (C-5, C-17s) they just fly a straight line instead. I call the 157th ARW if I can't get any answers but I thought someone here might know.

Thanks

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If it Flys, shoot it

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'range.'



As with everything in aviation, it depends. There are some tracks that are oval and some that are straight. I don't think there is a standard for how long the legs are or how wide the pattern is. Additionally, on a pond crossing, the receivers just follow a tanker and get gas at preplanned fuel states.

You're best bet may to ask a tanker squadron, like the one you mentioned. They are the experts.

by range I meant how long are the straight aways during the race track pattern? Are they say 10nm with a 2 nm left turn?


You can see the pattern in the display here,




I have a pilot friend from the Maineiacs and if I have no luck there I'll try to contact the unit I went up with. The PAO who got me on the flight is away so I'm not sure if I'll have any other luck but I'll give it a try.

Thanks,

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If it Flys, shoot it

I realize this thread is now about two weeks old, but I just got back from TDY and had to comment. I don't mean to be the jerk, but we are tactical aircraft who couldn't care less about the length of a refueling track. We'll fly whatever the tanker gives us as long as it keeps us close to the fight and in range of the best patch of concrete. AR is one of those things you just do to get to and stay in the fight and is a topic we spend very little time worrying about. If you want to talk about blowing things up, drinking, maintenance or any maneuver greater than 1.5 G's, that is for this website. Otherwise, my humble recommendation is to leave those questions to the KC-10 or -135 sites out there...if there are any. I respect those guys for the work they do, but Top Gun, this is a website dedicated the baddest CAS fighter there is. ATTACK!

Dude, from one Hawg pilot to another........right on! "The correct answer to the question is, "Who gives a sh%"".

that's fine, but with w/out tanker gas, you can't kick ass



The correct answer is it depends on the size of the refueling box.

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If it Flys, shoot it

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\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

I haven't tanked in years and still kick lots of ass...

Do you have periodic sorties with some tanking included for currency purposes?

sorry that just cracked me up - over here in the UK, saying you "haven't tanked" means you haven't had a *ank.. as in Tommy Tank

Yeah, I can't say i've had to tank in a while.. them 1.5 sorties to the west training area are really kicking my ass.... wait did i say that right?

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\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

My Son Getting tanked.

I assumed they made you stay current and had to tank regularly.

Why was your son thrown in the tank, after so many flying hours or sorties?

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If it Flys, shoot it

I think thats done when they have finished "flying school" and got an assignment to a certain aircraft type... right?
At least I know this is down with the german fighter pilots...

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\"My name's Pitt, and you ain't talkin' your ass outta this shit.\"

\"Solo Tank\" after your first solo flight it is tradition to be thrown into the \"solo tank. Every Flight Training class has an Assigned tank that they get to \"paint\" with their personalised Class Design. It is part of USAF Tradition.

Patriot thought it was funny W30 was replying about \"It has been a long time since he Tanked\" We were at the public Library researching Utah Gold Mines and Gold Panning, a hobby project we are going to do this summer. His son Graduated UPT last Spring.

Despite Current belief, not all \"Missions require use of a tanker\" Some people misconcieve a capability as a neccesity.

Their are many Traditions in the USAF. Another thred should be started to describe them all.

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\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

The 126th shot probably does...it was taken \"somewhere over the Atlantic\".

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

When a Hawg flies an \"Eldorado Canyon\" Mission let me know

Them ferry over the pond missions can be a real ass kicker

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

quote]


My Son Getting tanked.

[/quote]

The Patriot:
I can't tell who's in the picture, but I can tell you that I'm in that picture!!! What's your son's first name? That's funny stuff!