When a car runs out of fuel on the road, you can go to the nearest gas station and get fuel, or worst of all, stay on the road. If a plane runs out of fuel in the air, the situation cannot be solved so quickly. This is a harbinger of a great catastrophe. Aircraft undergo careful inspection before taking off, and the aircraft is allowed to take off when everything is appropriate on the plane. In general, it is not uncommon to run out of fuel during flight. Because airlines can’t afford that. Installing extra fuel on the plane is an easier solution for them. Fuel is a must for an aircraft. Without fuel, the engines won’t work. If the plane runs out of fuel while in the air, the plane must be refuelled. Otherwise, the plane will crash. Sometimes there are undesirable situations, and there are examples of this situation in the history of aviation. In such cases, it is necessary to provide refuelling or landing of the aircraft at the nearest airport. In this part, the pilot’s ability and composure are of great importance.
What Is Air Refuelling?
Refuelling is the system that allows aircraft to refuel during flight, without landing. Refuelling in the sky has enormous benefits such as saving time, performing tasks that cannot be performed, flying difficult distances. Today’s aircraft have very good fuel characteristics. Even the wings of the aircraft can be used as fuel tanks. If you have run out of fuel in the air, you can refuel from another plane and continue on your way.
Can All Types Of Aircraft Be Refuelled?
Refuelling is one of the most difficult procedures to perform in normal situations throughout aviation. But it is only applied in military aviation. Because in commercial flights, the pre-flight fuel calculation is done in detail, it is not possible for the aircraft to run out of fuel in the air under normal conditions. In military aviation, it is not certain when it will be in the air. Even if countries are not in a state of war, fuel shortages can occur even on a simple training flight. The first hero of mid-air refuelling is the tanker. But it can also be done without a Tanker.
High altitudes are preferred for refuelling, in the event of a fuel leak, the altitude range required for the fuel to evaporate should be left. Replenishment is carried out regardless of whether the tanker is on the descent, ascent or descent. The tanker has a Boom operator that is in communication with the aircraft that will refuel. The Boom Operator is located behind the tanker, controls refuelling traffic, establishes contact between the replenishing aircraft and the boom.
