Chapter 5. Aerial Refueling

Section 1. General

5-1-1. POLICY

This chapter sets forth policy and criteria for the establishment of aerial refueling tracks and anchors and the air traffic control aspects of aerial refueling operations. Effective utilization of this information will permit aerial refueling to be conducted with minimal planning and will ensure maximum utilization of airspace. Refueling tracks/anchors are published in DoD Flight Information Publications (FLIP) and are established for universal use by all military services.

5-1-2. OBJECTIVE

Approved separation will apply between military aerial refueling operations and other airspace users. In order to provide for the safe and efficient conduct of refueling operations, aerial refueling tracks/anchors will be planned to have a minimal impact on the air traffic system and still satisfy user needs.

5-1-3. RESPONSIBILITY

The U.S. military services will, to the maximum extent possible, conduct aerial refueling on existing published tracks/anchor tracks or within segregated airspace such as an ALTRV, ATCAA, or other applicable SUA, and conduct aerial refueling operations in accordance with the provisions of this chapter which provides standard guidance for all user commands involved in aerial refueling operations.

5-1-4. SEPARATION

Approved separation will be applied between aircraft conducting aerial refueling operations and other nonparticipating aircraft.

5-1-5. DEVIATIONS

FAA air traffic Service Area managers may authorize deviations from provisions of this chapter when military requirements cannot be supported within the established standards. Approved deviations must be fully coordinated between FAA and the appropriate military authority and must contain provisions to ensure a level of safety equivalent to standards set forth in this chapter.

5-1-6. CHRONOLOGY

The following is a basic chronology of the events for a typical air refueling operation in tracks and anchors. The exact sequence may vary as dictated by operational circumstances. For air refueling tracks, the en route rendezvous differs from the point-parallel rendezvous (see subparagraph 5-5-4a, 5(a)) only in that the tanker does not delay at the air refueling control point (ARCP) and both tanker and receiver aircraft enter the aerial refueling airspace simultaneously.

Aerial Refueling Track.

NOTE-

Normally, the tanker aircraft enters the track at the ARCP, and the receiver aircraft enters at the air refueling initial point (ARIP).
1. Tanker requests delay at the ARCP and advises ATC of the requested aerial refueling block altitudes.
2. ATC approves delay and issues clearance, or advises tanker to expect clearance, for the air refueling block.
  
  NOTE-
  
  If the delay is approved, the aircraft will enter the refueling pattern. If a hold is issued, aircraft will enter a standard holding pattern or as assigned by ATC.
3. Tanker enters orbit pattern airspace for delay at ARCP.
  
  NOTE-
  
  If no clearance is received, aircraft will hold in the direction of the air refueling pattern until their filed air refueling control time (ARCT). If no clearance is received by the ARCT, the aircraft will proceed down the AR track on its flight plan route; refueling is not authorized.
4. Receivers are cleared to requested altitude and approved separation is established prior to ARIP and release to tanker communication rendezvous (C/R) frequency.
5. Tanker declares MARSA.
6. ATC releases receiver to tanker C/R frequency not later than the ARIP.
7. ATC issues clearance to conduct aerial refueling along the track, and issues block altitude clearance, if not previously accomplished.
  
  NOTE-
  
  MARSA needs to be declared prior to ATC issuing a clearance to conduct air refueling. An ATC clearance is needed for any maneuver that requires the tanker to depart the orbit pattern.
8. ATC must ensure that nonparticipating aircraft remain clear of the area until the rendezvous is complete.
9. Tanker and receiver aircraft complete rendezvous and proceed down track. During aerial refueling, the tanker is responsible for receiver aircraft navigation along the track and for all tanker/receiver communications with ATC.
10. Tanker advises ATC of tanker and receiver end aerial refueling altitude requests at least five (5) minutes prior to exit.
11. At or prior to the exit point, ATC provides tanker and receiver expected altitudes, transponder codes, and if requested, amended routing.
12. Prior to exit, tanker vertically positions the aircraft in the formation within the air refueling airspace to facilitate breakup at the exit point (normally, tanker at highest altitude of aerial refueling block and receiver at lowest altitude).
13. MARSA is terminated when approved separation is established and ATC advises MARSA is terminated.
  
  NOTE-
  
  Course or altitude changes prior to establishment of approved separation will automatically void MARSA and are to be avoided. See paragraph 5-5-3.d.
Anchor Aerial Refueling.
1. Anchor aerial refueling operations involve the same basic procedural elements as required for track refueling, except that both tanker and receiver aircraft file a delay in the anchor area, and all aerial refueling activity is conducted within the anchor as per paragraph 5-3-2, Navigation within Anchor Area.
2. Additional requirements, such as, alternate entry/exit points, military radar unit (MRU) procedures, etc., must be specified in a letter of agreement, as required.