Section 3. ANCHOR
REQUIREMENTS
10-3-1. DESCRIPTION
a. The standard aerial refueling anchor pattern
consists of a left-hand race track orbit with legs at least 50 NM in
length. The legs will normally be separated by at least 20
NM. The orientation of the pattern is determined based on the
inbound course to the anchor point. Four turn points are
designated to describe the anchor pattern. (See FIG
10-3-1.)
NOTE- 1. An
anchor pattern may be designed with legs greater than or less than
50 NM in length provided all parties agree that the length is
sufficient for the proposed operation and that the refueling operation
can safely be conducted within the confines of assigned anchor
area. 2. If other than the standard
anchor pattern is used, the ATC facility must develop appropriate
nonradar procedures.
b. The standard anchor area consists of one or more
entry points, an ARIP, anchor point, anchor pattern turn points, one or
more exit points, and the designated refueling altitude block(s).
c. Instructions for preparing and submitting anchor
proposals are contained in Section
4 of this chapter.
10-3-2. NAVIGATION
WITHIN ANCHOR AREA
Anchor refueling shall be in accordance with the published
pattern unless otherwise coordinated with the ARTCC/CERAP, or through a
letter of agreement with the controlling agency. Navigation shall be
accomplished predicated on one of the following:
NOTE- Clearance into an anchor area/track does
not give aircraft on the track the ATCAA that may be associated with the
anchor area/anchor track. Aircrews should specifically request the
ATCAA if they need the ATCAA for refueling operations.
a. NAVAID's while within usable range.
b. Airborne equipment utilizing geographical
coordinates in remote areas without NAVAID reference.
c. Radar service provided by a military radar unit
either ground-based or airborne.
d. Airborne radar as a secondary operation within
the anchor area.
10-3-3. ARIP ESTABLISHMENT
The anchor ARIP shall be established:
a. Normally, a minimum of 70 NM from the anchor
point and within 30 degrees either side of the extended anchor point leg
at the uptrack end of the anchor pattern.
b. So as to provide for straight-line navigation
from the ARIP to the anchor point leg at the uptrack end of the anchor
pattern.
NOTE- Receiver entry at ARIP is not required
when random rendezvous procedures have been coordinated prior to
track/anchor entry and approved by the tanker commander. All
maneuvers required to effect rendezvous must be contained within
designated airspace.
10-3-4. DEGREE-DISTANCE ANCHOR
DEFINITION
Anchors predicated on degree-distance definition shall
provide:
a. A means of navigation from the anchor ARIP to
the anchor point via a usable NAVAID radial/ distance.
b. A means of navigation from the exit point of the
anchor area to proceed IFR en route via a usable NAVAID.
c. Anchor areas located in over water or remote
areas or beyond the range of fixed NAVAID's shall be predicated on
geographical coordinate route definition with suitable navigation means
provided by the user command.
FIG
10-3-1
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