Why do airplanes bank sharply to the right after air-to-air refueling?
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Whenever I see videos on YouTube they bank really sharply to the right after disconnecting from the tanker. Why wouldn't they do a more shallow 30-degree bank?
See this video for reference:
military maneuver mid-air-refueling
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
$endgroup$
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
Whenever I see videos on YouTube they bank really sharply to the right after disconnecting from the tanker. Why wouldn't they do a more shallow 30-degree bank?
See this video for reference:
military maneuver mid-air-refueling
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
$endgroup$
26
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
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– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
12
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I don't see "sharply" TBH
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– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
1
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@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
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– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
3
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The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
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– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
5
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The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
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– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
Whenever I see videos on YouTube they bank really sharply to the right after disconnecting from the tanker. Why wouldn't they do a more shallow 30-degree bank?
See this video for reference:
military maneuver mid-air-refueling
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
$endgroup$
Whenever I see videos on YouTube they bank really sharply to the right after disconnecting from the tanker. Why wouldn't they do a more shallow 30-degree bank?
See this video for reference:
military maneuver mid-air-refueling
military maneuver mid-air-refueling
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
edited Mar 29 at 8:19
ymb1
69.5k7220369
69.5k7220369
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
asked Mar 28 at 17:04
pythonhelpthrowpythonhelpthrow
34838
34838
26
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
$endgroup$
– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
12
$begingroup$
I don't see "sharply" TBH
$endgroup$
– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
$endgroup$
– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
3
$begingroup$
The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
$endgroup$
– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
5
$begingroup$
The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
$endgroup$
– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34
|
show 4 more comments
26
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
$endgroup$
– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
12
$begingroup$
I don't see "sharply" TBH
$endgroup$
– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
$endgroup$
– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
3
$begingroup$
The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
$endgroup$
– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
5
$begingroup$
The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
$endgroup$
– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34
26
26
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
$endgroup$
– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
$endgroup$
– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
12
12
$begingroup$
I don't see "sharply" TBH
$endgroup$
– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
$begingroup$
I don't see "sharply" TBH
$endgroup$
– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
1
1
$begingroup$
@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
$endgroup$
– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
$begingroup$
@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
$endgroup$
– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
3
3
$begingroup$
The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
$endgroup$
– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
$begingroup$
The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
$endgroup$
– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
5
5
$begingroup$
The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
$endgroup$
– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34
$begingroup$
The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
$endgroup$
– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34
|
show 4 more comments
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
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Fighter jets are very maneuverable, so they may make anything from a shallow bank to a breakaway maneuver. The breakaway is a standard way for fighter jets to exit a formation. It provides a way to safely and quickly gain separation from the other aircraft.
In this case the bank is fairly shallow, but when the aircraft disconnects they are already in a shallow right turn, so the total bank angle is a bit larger.
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
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– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
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That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
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– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
add a comment |
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Doesn't really look all that aggressive to me, either way the fighter and the tanker are very vulnerable while refueling. Usually there is more than one aircraft waiting to refuel, so the goal of this game is to run as many of the aircraft in formation through refueling as quickly as possible.
In order to do that, you need to get your wake out of the way for the next guy to get a smooth approach to the basket. As Fooot says in his answer, the pilot is using a standard "breakaway" maneuver to get out of the formation and wait for the other pilots in the flight to get the fuel and continue with the mission.
Plus you just got a full tank of fuel in the world's funnest military equipment...
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
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– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
add a comment |
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Different air forces may operate with different conventions, but right from basic flight training the RAF classifies banked turns of 20 degrees as "gentle," 40 as "medium" and 60 as "steep," and the most commonly used are "medium".
Ref: The RAF Basic Flying Manual (1952 edition) - https://www.t6harvard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chapter-3.pdf page 26-27.
The video is just a 40 degree banked turn.
The aircraft have no problem handling the G loads in 60 degree banked turns, and there are not going to be any complaints from passengers in Business Class that the flight crew spilled their gin and tonic!
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
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3
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Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
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– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
add a comment |
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They do this because there are 3 main parts to an air to air refuel:
- port observation where they wait to be refueled in a line.
- refuel area where they actually get refueled.
- reform area where they wait for the rest of the squadron.
After the refuel, they will bank the right to go to the reform area and will wait for the rest of there squadron. Once everyone is refueled then they break from the tanker.
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
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add a comment |
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A jet joins on one side of the tanker then when its turn comes moves behind to tank then when finished, clears off to the other side. Bear in mind a whole formation may be tanking and need to flow through the same process. The turn after tanking is not a hard turn in fast jet terms.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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many people have already explained
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– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
add a comment |
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Others seem to have answered the why such a sharp maneuver part of the question, so I will answer the why to the right part. Collision avoidance in aircraft is always by turning to the right when possible. Keeping the formation in such a way that the pilot can always escape to the right is probably done to ensure safety, as it lines up with the engrained training.
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Two aircraft must either be flying in formation, or be far apart, to be safe. While the fighter is in the process of leaving the tanker, it is neither. It therefore moves away quickly using the standard breakaway manoeuvre. Bank really sharply? The video showed a positively leisurely turn in the circumstances.
Why to the right? It's standard to approach on the left side of the tanker. That's where other fighters waiting and approaching to refuel will be, so the left is a good side to avoid.
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
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I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
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– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To gain as much seperation as quickly as possible.
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
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We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Fighter jets are very maneuverable, so they may make anything from a shallow bank to a breakaway maneuver. The breakaway is a standard way for fighter jets to exit a formation. It provides a way to safely and quickly gain separation from the other aircraft.
In this case the bank is fairly shallow, but when the aircraft disconnects they are already in a shallow right turn, so the total bank angle is a bit larger.
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Fighter jets are very maneuverable, so they may make anything from a shallow bank to a breakaway maneuver. The breakaway is a standard way for fighter jets to exit a formation. It provides a way to safely and quickly gain separation from the other aircraft.
In this case the bank is fairly shallow, but when the aircraft disconnects they are already in a shallow right turn, so the total bank angle is a bit larger.
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Fighter jets are very maneuverable, so they may make anything from a shallow bank to a breakaway maneuver. The breakaway is a standard way for fighter jets to exit a formation. It provides a way to safely and quickly gain separation from the other aircraft.
In this case the bank is fairly shallow, but when the aircraft disconnects they are already in a shallow right turn, so the total bank angle is a bit larger.
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
$endgroup$
Fighter jets are very maneuverable, so they may make anything from a shallow bank to a breakaway maneuver. The breakaway is a standard way for fighter jets to exit a formation. It provides a way to safely and quickly gain separation from the other aircraft.
In this case the bank is fairly shallow, but when the aircraft disconnects they are already in a shallow right turn, so the total bank angle is a bit larger.
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
edited Mar 29 at 18:04
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
answered Mar 28 at 17:18
foootfooot
54.2k17173324
54.2k17173324
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
2
2
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
$begingroup$
Some may choose to do a gentle breakaway.
$endgroup$
– ymb1
Mar 29 at 8:02
4
4
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
$begingroup$
That was not a breakaway maneuver, that was just moving to the outside of the formation.
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:00
4
4
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
$begingroup$
The video absolutely does not show a breakaway manoeuvre. This is incorrect.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Doesn't really look all that aggressive to me, either way the fighter and the tanker are very vulnerable while refueling. Usually there is more than one aircraft waiting to refuel, so the goal of this game is to run as many of the aircraft in formation through refueling as quickly as possible.
In order to do that, you need to get your wake out of the way for the next guy to get a smooth approach to the basket. As Fooot says in his answer, the pilot is using a standard "breakaway" maneuver to get out of the formation and wait for the other pilots in the flight to get the fuel and continue with the mission.
Plus you just got a full tank of fuel in the world's funnest military equipment...
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Doesn't really look all that aggressive to me, either way the fighter and the tanker are very vulnerable while refueling. Usually there is more than one aircraft waiting to refuel, so the goal of this game is to run as many of the aircraft in formation through refueling as quickly as possible.
In order to do that, you need to get your wake out of the way for the next guy to get a smooth approach to the basket. As Fooot says in his answer, the pilot is using a standard "breakaway" maneuver to get out of the formation and wait for the other pilots in the flight to get the fuel and continue with the mission.
Plus you just got a full tank of fuel in the world's funnest military equipment...
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Doesn't really look all that aggressive to me, either way the fighter and the tanker are very vulnerable while refueling. Usually there is more than one aircraft waiting to refuel, so the goal of this game is to run as many of the aircraft in formation through refueling as quickly as possible.
In order to do that, you need to get your wake out of the way for the next guy to get a smooth approach to the basket. As Fooot says in his answer, the pilot is using a standard "breakaway" maneuver to get out of the formation and wait for the other pilots in the flight to get the fuel and continue with the mission.
Plus you just got a full tank of fuel in the world's funnest military equipment...
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
$endgroup$
Doesn't really look all that aggressive to me, either way the fighter and the tanker are very vulnerable while refueling. Usually there is more than one aircraft waiting to refuel, so the goal of this game is to run as many of the aircraft in formation through refueling as quickly as possible.
In order to do that, you need to get your wake out of the way for the next guy to get a smooth approach to the basket. As Fooot says in his answer, the pilot is using a standard "breakaway" maneuver to get out of the formation and wait for the other pilots in the flight to get the fuel and continue with the mission.
Plus you just got a full tank of fuel in the world's funnest military equipment...
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
edited Mar 28 at 22:55
reirab
14.2k140108
14.2k140108
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
answered Mar 28 at 17:33
Ron BeyerRon Beyer
22.5k282103
22.5k282103
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
2
2
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
$begingroup$
I agree it doesn't look very aggressive, and therefore wouldn't call it a "breakaway". In fact this pilot was not even leaving the formation, he simply moved to the right side and stopped there. Perhaps waiting on a wingman to top off...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 17:10
3
3
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
$begingroup$
A breakaway is for... breaking away... quickly. The plane did not leave the formation. It did not move to the side quickly either. It just casually repositioned itself in the formation.
$endgroup$
– J...
Mar 29 at 17:50
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Different air forces may operate with different conventions, but right from basic flight training the RAF classifies banked turns of 20 degrees as "gentle," 40 as "medium" and 60 as "steep," and the most commonly used are "medium".
Ref: The RAF Basic Flying Manual (1952 edition) - https://www.t6harvard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chapter-3.pdf page 26-27.
The video is just a 40 degree banked turn.
The aircraft have no problem handling the G loads in 60 degree banked turns, and there are not going to be any complaints from passengers in Business Class that the flight crew spilled their gin and tonic!
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Different air forces may operate with different conventions, but right from basic flight training the RAF classifies banked turns of 20 degrees as "gentle," 40 as "medium" and 60 as "steep," and the most commonly used are "medium".
Ref: The RAF Basic Flying Manual (1952 edition) - https://www.t6harvard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chapter-3.pdf page 26-27.
The video is just a 40 degree banked turn.
The aircraft have no problem handling the G loads in 60 degree banked turns, and there are not going to be any complaints from passengers in Business Class that the flight crew spilled their gin and tonic!
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Different air forces may operate with different conventions, but right from basic flight training the RAF classifies banked turns of 20 degrees as "gentle," 40 as "medium" and 60 as "steep," and the most commonly used are "medium".
Ref: The RAF Basic Flying Manual (1952 edition) - https://www.t6harvard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chapter-3.pdf page 26-27.
The video is just a 40 degree banked turn.
The aircraft have no problem handling the G loads in 60 degree banked turns, and there are not going to be any complaints from passengers in Business Class that the flight crew spilled their gin and tonic!
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
$endgroup$
Different air forces may operate with different conventions, but right from basic flight training the RAF classifies banked turns of 20 degrees as "gentle," 40 as "medium" and 60 as "steep," and the most commonly used are "medium".
Ref: The RAF Basic Flying Manual (1952 edition) - https://www.t6harvard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chapter-3.pdf page 26-27.
The video is just a 40 degree banked turn.
The aircraft have no problem handling the G loads in 60 degree banked turns, and there are not going to be any complaints from passengers in Business Class that the flight crew spilled their gin and tonic!
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
answered Mar 28 at 22:06
alephzeroalephzero
1,721412
1,721412
3
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
3
3
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
$begingroup$
Even most light piston aircraft have no problem with 60 degree banked turns. It's just 2 Gs if you hold altitude. That's nothing for a fighter.
$endgroup$
– reirab
Mar 28 at 22:58
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They do this because there are 3 main parts to an air to air refuel:
- port observation where they wait to be refueled in a line.
- refuel area where they actually get refueled.
- reform area where they wait for the rest of the squadron.
After the refuel, they will bank the right to go to the reform area and will wait for the rest of there squadron. Once everyone is refueled then they break from the tanker.
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They do this because there are 3 main parts to an air to air refuel:
- port observation where they wait to be refueled in a line.
- refuel area where they actually get refueled.
- reform area where they wait for the rest of the squadron.
After the refuel, they will bank the right to go to the reform area and will wait for the rest of there squadron. Once everyone is refueled then they break from the tanker.
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They do this because there are 3 main parts to an air to air refuel:
- port observation where they wait to be refueled in a line.
- refuel area where they actually get refueled.
- reform area where they wait for the rest of the squadron.
After the refuel, they will bank the right to go to the reform area and will wait for the rest of there squadron. Once everyone is refueled then they break from the tanker.
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
$endgroup$
They do this because there are 3 main parts to an air to air refuel:
- port observation where they wait to be refueled in a line.
- refuel area where they actually get refueled.
- reform area where they wait for the rest of the squadron.
After the refuel, they will bank the right to go to the reform area and will wait for the rest of there squadron. Once everyone is refueled then they break from the tanker.
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
answered Mar 29 at 23:08
Zac CallaghanZac Callaghan
163110
163110
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A jet joins on one side of the tanker then when its turn comes moves behind to tank then when finished, clears off to the other side. Bear in mind a whole formation may be tanking and need to flow through the same process. The turn after tanking is not a hard turn in fast jet terms.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A jet joins on one side of the tanker then when its turn comes moves behind to tank then when finished, clears off to the other side. Bear in mind a whole formation may be tanking and need to flow through the same process. The turn after tanking is not a hard turn in fast jet terms.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A jet joins on one side of the tanker then when its turn comes moves behind to tank then when finished, clears off to the other side. Bear in mind a whole formation may be tanking and need to flow through the same process. The turn after tanking is not a hard turn in fast jet terms.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
A jet joins on one side of the tanker then when its turn comes moves behind to tank then when finished, clears off to the other side. Bear in mind a whole formation may be tanking and need to flow through the same process. The turn after tanking is not a hard turn in fast jet terms.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
answered Mar 29 at 8:13
DerekDerek
791
791
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Derek is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
$begingroup$
many people have already explained
$endgroup$
– Zac Callaghan
20 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Others seem to have answered the why such a sharp maneuver part of the question, so I will answer the why to the right part. Collision avoidance in aircraft is always by turning to the right when possible. Keeping the formation in such a way that the pilot can always escape to the right is probably done to ensure safety, as it lines up with the engrained training.
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Others seem to have answered the why such a sharp maneuver part of the question, so I will answer the why to the right part. Collision avoidance in aircraft is always by turning to the right when possible. Keeping the formation in such a way that the pilot can always escape to the right is probably done to ensure safety, as it lines up with the engrained training.
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Others seem to have answered the why such a sharp maneuver part of the question, so I will answer the why to the right part. Collision avoidance in aircraft is always by turning to the right when possible. Keeping the formation in such a way that the pilot can always escape to the right is probably done to ensure safety, as it lines up with the engrained training.
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
$endgroup$
Others seem to have answered the why such a sharp maneuver part of the question, so I will answer the why to the right part. Collision avoidance in aircraft is always by turning to the right when possible. Keeping the formation in such a way that the pilot can always escape to the right is probably done to ensure safety, as it lines up with the engrained training.
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
answered Mar 29 at 19:37
XRFXRF
3155
3155
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Two aircraft must either be flying in formation, or be far apart, to be safe. While the fighter is in the process of leaving the tanker, it is neither. It therefore moves away quickly using the standard breakaway manoeuvre. Bank really sharply? The video showed a positively leisurely turn in the circumstances.
Why to the right? It's standard to approach on the left side of the tanker. That's where other fighters waiting and approaching to refuel will be, so the left is a good side to avoid.
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Two aircraft must either be flying in formation, or be far apart, to be safe. While the fighter is in the process of leaving the tanker, it is neither. It therefore moves away quickly using the standard breakaway manoeuvre. Bank really sharply? The video showed a positively leisurely turn in the circumstances.
Why to the right? It's standard to approach on the left side of the tanker. That's where other fighters waiting and approaching to refuel will be, so the left is a good side to avoid.
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Two aircraft must either be flying in formation, or be far apart, to be safe. While the fighter is in the process of leaving the tanker, it is neither. It therefore moves away quickly using the standard breakaway manoeuvre. Bank really sharply? The video showed a positively leisurely turn in the circumstances.
Why to the right? It's standard to approach on the left side of the tanker. That's where other fighters waiting and approaching to refuel will be, so the left is a good side to avoid.
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
$endgroup$
Two aircraft must either be flying in formation, or be far apart, to be safe. While the fighter is in the process of leaving the tanker, it is neither. It therefore moves away quickly using the standard breakaway manoeuvre. Bank really sharply? The video showed a positively leisurely turn in the circumstances.
Why to the right? It's standard to approach on the left side of the tanker. That's where other fighters waiting and approaching to refuel will be, so the left is a good side to avoid.
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
answered Mar 29 at 15:31
Neil_UKNeil_UK
21914
21914
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
$begingroup$
I agree it was leisurely, but "leisurely" and "breakaway" don't go together...
$endgroup$
– Michael Hall
Mar 29 at 19:05
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To gain as much seperation as quickly as possible.
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
$endgroup$
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To gain as much seperation as quickly as possible.
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
$endgroup$
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To gain as much seperation as quickly as possible.
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
$endgroup$
To gain as much seperation as quickly as possible.
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
answered Mar 28 at 20:36
WindshearWindshear
2734
2734
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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26
$begingroup$
Rule Of Cool. Normally they do a barrel roll.
$endgroup$
– Harper
Mar 28 at 22:17
12
$begingroup$
I don't see "sharply" TBH
$endgroup$
– Mayou36
Mar 29 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
@mayou36 it is subjective. What is 'sharply' for a landlubber layman might be a soft bank for an airborn flyer. Who knows? I don't. Unless math gets involved and we define the 'sharply' threshold, it is fine to use these terms IMHO
$endgroup$
– Mindwin
Mar 29 at 12:20
3
$begingroup$
The point is, there's nothing abnormal about what's happening here, which is what OP is suggesting.
$endgroup$
– zymhan
Mar 29 at 15:51
5
$begingroup$
The premise of the question is wrong. That's not a "really sharp" bank. It's both shallow and slow; especially if you think in terms of a fighter jet. I would argue that the bank is not "sharp" even for a recreational aircraft.
$endgroup$
– Martin Argerami
Mar 29 at 18:34