Tank you very much

So I'm here at Andrew's house in Knoxville and since he lives near the base, we find ourselves in a flight path.
It's so cool. I don't mind the noise as long as they stay up there.
The pictured airplane is the KC-135 Stratotanker, which is what Andrew flies in to refuel fighter jets, cargo planes, and various other military aircraft.
It keeps on flying over this apartment complex. They must know I'm here.
Anyway see that orange line painted on the bottom? That's what pilots steer by when they approach the KC-135, to line up just so and guzzle go-juice from its reservoir of hundreds of thousands of pounds of fuel.
There are handy illuminators -- PDL's, or Pilot Director Lights -- on either side of that orange line too, toward the cockpit, that Andrew controls. They are used for both day and night refueling missions. He turns them up brighter during the day.
That's to provide an indispensable thing for pilots in this situation: depth perception.
Even so, Andrew tells me that fighter pilots have a tendency to be -- ahem -- arrogant. They loathe being told what to do by a boom operator. In fact, they have been known to wilfully ignore the boom's instructions.
In which case, my son wilfully withholds fuel from them.
Until they straighten up and fly right. Deal.
See the bubble toward the rear? That's the pod where the boom operator lies on his stomach, operating the boom, which you see sticking out in the back.
It's exciting. It's happening somewhere right now, probably over your own head.
But I'm in town and my son is off for the week, and he's fixing to take me over to the base and show me some stuff up close and personal.
I may even get to play in the simulator. There may be pictures; we shall see. Or not.
I'll be in touch.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Wednesday


Reader Comments (6)
Great picture Miss Jenny! What is it with the pilots? My Andy said the Apache pilots were often the same way.
I know you're having a good time with Andrew. I'll be looking forward to pictures. :)
I can't even imagine! Well, now I can since you've painted me a mental picture and shown me the photo. I'm glad I don't operate the boom (or fly the plane). Don't break the simulator!
Enjoy!
Love the photos!
I know you are SO proud of your son!
hughugs
PS-and he's a cutie!
That's so interesting, Jenny! And, a great photo.
Have fun with your son.
xoxo
Wow...great picture of that Stratotanker. And if you get to play in the simulator I will be very jealous!!! Glad you and Andrew are enjoying a visit with each other! Have fun, and have a safe trip back home. Oh, and more pictures please!!
G.