One reason the boom method works is that the boom is that the actively flown into the recepitcal.

And it is completely impractical for carrier operations. Boom-capable aircraft cannot operate from carriers. Buddy-store equipped FA-18s can.

Boom refueling is certainly the way to go for the heavies, whose inertia precludes the rapid, close-in corrections needed. Hose-and-drogue is compact and ideal for carrier-based tanking assets, and also can be / is fitted onto those land-based tankers that support probe-configured aircraft, as shown in the video.

--
Mike Kanze

"I prefer my tragedy and despair in limited doses."
- Sherman the shark

"That's what golf is for."
- Hawthorne the hermit crab

Sherman's Lagoon, 4/5/08

"Eunometic" wrote in message ...
On Sep 18, 3:36 am, "Mike Kanze" wrote:
...Proving once again that it's not as easy as it looks. Bow wave from the tankee's nose and burble
from the tanker aircraft are constants that the pilot must factor for a successful basket plug.

It would appear to me that the probe and drogue system is now far more
basic than it needs to be to be and is therefore less effective and
reliable than it should be.

One reason the boom method works is that the boom is that the actively
flown into the recepitcal.

It should be possible to place sensors and controls (flappers, fins or
a basket that can twist to direct itselt) that stabilizes the drogue
and allows it to fly further from the aircraft. Ideally it should
'home' itself towards the probe slightly to help the pilot. A simple
LED lamp with a specific flashing frequency can serve as a homming
point.



Note that the hose failed to retract into the tanker as it should have once the second (successful) plug was made and the basket was shoved forward.

Those of you laughing have likely never tried this in a low fuel state / night situation, with a pitching deck awaiting your recovery. Not anyone's idea of happy fun.