'Receiving' the next generation: McConnell Reservists begin R/T training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The KC-46A Pegasus isn't slated to arrive until the Summer of 2016, but the reserve pilots of the 18th Air Refueling squadron are already preparing for the new airframe by beginning their receiver/tanker training.

That's because unlike most KC-135 Stratotankers, the KC-46 has the ability to take on fuel while in flight. The first reserve pilots that will fly the KC-46 are required to be R/T qualified on specially-modified KC-135s before they can even begin the required training at the Boeing Flight Training Facility in Seattle, Wash.  Fortunately, the 18th ARS has been actively working with members of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing to ensure that 18 ARS pilots are R/T certified before they attend KC-46 training in Washington next May.

Though reservists currently have limited time to train compared to their active duty counterparts, Capt. Chris Markley, 18th ARS pilot, and one of the first within his squadron to begin R/T training at McConnell, hopes that this training will continue to strengthen the Total Force relationship at McConnell. Eventually, having both active duty and reserve instructors will provide improved continuity of training for all pilots participating in R/T training.  In addition to ground equipment training and a CBT, the training includes eight flights and two flight simulations. 

Maj. Chase Crosby, an 18th ARS pilot who was R/T qualified before switching from the active duty Air Force to the Reserves last year and who now serves as an R/T Instructor Pilot, says once the pilots perform the simulation training, they learn how to take gas from a KC-135 and a KC-10 Extender.  To do this the pilot must keep the aircraft steady while staying in close contact with the refueler.  The goal for the pilot is to complete this action for ten minutes on autopilot, and then five minutes without the autopilot.

Markley is one of six pilots from the 931st Air Refueling Group selected to fly the KC-46 during Initial Operations Testing and Evaluation who must complete this training, and has already experienced firsthand some of the challenges associated with learning to take on fuel while in flight.

"As tanker pilots, we tend to have only half the picture, but [piloting] as a receiver gives you a bigger picture, making you a better tanker pilot overall," he said.

Despite these challenges, Markley says he enjoys his training.

"[Flying as a receiver] has its own unique set of challenges that I've never experienced in the KC-135, but it's really fun."

On average, the ground equipment training, CBT, and flight training can last up to 50 days. Crosby said that while scheduling the training has been challenging for both the 18th ARS and the active duty, the importance of completing it cannot be overlooked.

"Completing this training is the first step in gaining the KC-46, and also giving the base continuity when it comes to future KC-46 training," he said.

The Initial Operations Testing and Evaluation for aircrews from the 18th ARS is scheduled to take place at McConnell late in the summer 2016.  The KC-46 is projected to arrive here in August 2016.