Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
UA857 wrote:Hey guys, I have a question to ask you. Do tankers have unlimited range during air refueling missions or do they lose range during air refueling missions due to the offload of fuel?
LyleLanley wrote:UA857 wrote:Hey guys, I have a question to ask you. Do tankers have unlimited range during air refueling missions or do they lose range during air refueling missions due to the offload of fuel?
Yep! At least on the KC-10, we literally make gas as we offload it, via a secret process, so our only limiter is the amount of per diem (weight) we can carry. KC-135s are a different matter and they're only mostly unlimited, and they're generally pegged at $3.50 a day anyway. It's only when tankers are flying from point A to point B that their tanks actually go down from full.
LyleLanley wrote:UA857 wrote:Hey guys, I have a question to ask you. Do tankers have unlimited range during air refueling missions or do they lose range during air refueling missions due to the offload of fuel?
Yep! At least on the KC-10, we literally make gas as we offload it, via a secret process, so our only limiter is the amount of per diem (weight) we can carry. KC-135s are a different matter and they're only mostly unlimited, and they're generally pegged at $3.50 a day anyway. It's only when tankers are flying from point A to point B that their tanks actually go down from full.
acecrackshot wrote:So the KC-10s HAVE been holding out on us the whole time.
Figures.
GalaxyFlyer wrote:They can burn it all and, on the KC-135, pass it all. At one time, the SIOP had planned for the possibility the tankers would pass fuel until near flame out and crew escape via chutes.
UA857 wrote:Do KC-10s and KC-46 lose range during refueling missions if there is cargo onboard?