Tanker refuses to deploy pipeline.

[zeel]

A few hours ago I was trying to do my first A2A refueling attempt, using the Mirage. Got close to the tanker, on-speed, on-height, right frequency, "Request pre-contact" and... nothing. I read in the forums that you need to be stable and very close to the tanker before it clears contact and decides to deploy the pipeline, but I tried about 20 positions on both wings, ranging from a conservative distance slightly below the tanker to literally being two meters away from it and nothing ever happened. Is there anything that I could've been doing wrong? I was tuned to the tanker's TACAN, if it helps.

[fikmeinshizer]

did you get a reply to request pre-contact from the tanker?

if the tanker doesn't respond then it hasn't heard you or has bugged out in which case it won't deploy anything

[zeel]

Originally posted by fikmeinshizer:

did you get a reply to request pre-contact from the tanker?

if the tanker doesn't respond then it hasn't heard you or has bugged out in which case it won't deploy anything

Yes, I was in the right frequency and he always responded with "(something) pre-contact".

[dan]

Usually for this you have to get closer bro. A bit behind where the bucket is supposed to come out.

[zeel]

Originally posted by dan:

Usually for this you have to get closer bro. A bit behind where the bucket is supposed to come out.

Originally posted by Xael:

but I tried about 20 positions on both wings, ranging from a conservative distance slightly below the tanker to literally being two meters away from it and nothing ever happened.

Tried, didn't work unfortunately.

[spike2071]

When he asks to return to pre-contact, you'll have to get in position and ask again to refuel. He'll either deploy the basket or tell you to return to pre-contact. Were you requesting to refuel each time you changed position?

Also, just to make sure...you're trying to refuel from a probe-and-drogue tanker?

[zeel]

Originally posted by spike2071:

When he asks to return to pre-contact, you'll have to get in position and ask again to refuel. He'll either deploy the basket or tell you to return to pre-contact. Were you requesting to refuel each time you changed position?

Also, just to make sure...you're trying to refuel from a probe-and-drogue tanker?

Yes, I was returning pre-contact every time I changed position. I think it was a probe-and-drogue tanker, I'm not sure; I forgot the full designation of the plane but it was the one that starts with "s", not a "k".

[Vanhala]

S-3, aye? It is probe-'n'-drogue. KC-135 has two versions, one is and one is not.

[fikmeinshizer]

To clarify:

Firstly if you call in and the tanker replies "return pre-contact" then you are not in position. Adjust your position and call again. Eventually he will reply "Cleared Contact". This is where the pipe will become usable. Until you are in almost perfect position they simply tell you to move. You also need to keep calling until you are cleared.

Secondly you need to be using the right tanker for the job. Basket or Probe and Drogue Tankers are used mostly by the Navy. These are the S-3 Tanker, Il-78 and the KC-135MPRS. They can be used by:

F/A-18C
M-2000
Su-33
F-14
AV-8b

Boom tankers are an Air Force thing and is limited to the KC-135. They can be used by:

F-15C
A-10A
A-10C
F-16

Not sure what plane you are flying but in all cases the pre-contact position is pretty damn close. You'll feel like you are too close. In the F-16 and F-15 you will actually be below the tanker and feel like it's about to land on your head.

Hope that helps some more