Why isn't the new Air Force 1 a 777?

[MikeD]

To be fair to the receiver pilot, it was his first AR attempt in the -35. According to the USAF -35 pilots I've spoken to, the jet has a "refuel" mode that changes the control sensitivity considerably, causing many to actually over control while they're getting used to it. My boom operator's directions on the radio drive me to believe that's exactly what happened with the student.

Then you get the boom operator who tries to "help" during drogue AR by moving the boom, and creates all kinds of craziness

 

[///AMG]

Then you get the boom operator who tries to "help" during drogue AR by moving the boom, and creates all kinds of craziness

Yeah, that is often a little annoying. I've had booms that without a doubt probably did something on their end to make it easier for me…….when that basket magically ends up where it needs to be pre contact in spite of turbulence and maybe some sloppy flying, they are certainly the hand of god that is helping. But you get a well intentioned boom who isn't good at it, and you are gonna be fighting it for a while. I did learn my lesson early on though……..one time I told the boom to just hold it fixed. I found out later, and correct me if I'm wrong, there is not really a "fixed" position in that you are always effectively "flying" the boom when it is extended, so when I told him that, either I just failed to realize that, or he intentionally made it harder to spite my idiot a**…..either way, the sucky tanking experience/fighting the boom only got worse from there. Since then, while I might drive the tanker pilots around like yellow gear, I normally just suck it up if the boom is unintentionally fighting me.