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Air to Air Refuelling: Pilot’s Perspective, My Story

Air refueling is the process of transmitting aviation fuel from one military aircraft to another during flight. The procedure lets the receiving aircraft to stay in the air longer, extending its range or loiter time on station. Its purpose is quite simple, but there are a number of amazing things that happen in and around the process. Here is one of the stories, which somehow did not go wrong. Before that let us look at aeromedical aspects involved in air-to-air refuelling.

Distractions in Cockpit

The airlines make a conscious effort to expose its flight crew to the potential hazards of distractions. Strict adherence to the ‘Sterile Cockpit Rule’ is implemented. Cabin crew and ground staff are trained and instructed to refrain from interrupting the cockpit crew while they’re in the midst of a briefing or entering critical flight data into the FMS, including computation of takeoff speeds. Strict adherence to SOP is mandated and checklist discipline is reinforced during line and simulator training. The key here is for every company to “educate” it’s staff with regards to the challenge that is posed by distraction, affecting the safety of the flight.

Engine Failure

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced pilot, an engine failure in-flight is a pilot’s worst nightmare. If it occurs in a single-engine piston aircraft or a single-engine jet plane, there are only two ways out: trying to restart the engine, or making a forced landing. The other option of ejection is available to military pilots only.  An engine failure in flight requires a swift reaction by the pilot in command to maximize the flight of an airplane after the event has occurred. Pilots do this by acquiring a glide…

Critical Thinking for Pilots: Self debrief and Learning from our own mistakes…

What’s the point in thinking about what could have been  or what might have happened?   What’s done is done.   We’ve heard this.  We’ve probably thought this.  But don’t drown your sorrows or celebrate too soon,  because this self debrief is how important insights are revealed that will improve your decision quality in the air as well as on the ground. But before we start let me say that it is best to learn from others’ mistakes then make your own. However, as pilots we undertake multiple flights every day and not one flight is…