McConnell accepts KC-46 fuselage trainer

  • Published
  • By Air Force Senior Airman Jenna K. Caldwell
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – McConnell has recently acquired a KC-46 Pegasus fuselage trainer as an Air Force asset, as the base prepares to receive the next generation multirole tanker.

The trainer is a 120 feet by 25 feet replica of the KC-46 main cargo deck from the forward entry door to the aft of the rear entry door. It includes no wings, tail or cockpit.

“The fuselage is just one step closer in increasing our readiness to accept the aircraft,” said Maj. Joseph Ruotolo, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Program Integration Office deputy chief. “The fuselage will be used for training boom operators on cargo loading and aircrew on egress, as well as maintenance and aeromedical evacuation training.”

The fuselage will match the aircraft configuration and will include a functional cargo handling system, cargo door, communication system and lighting.

“As part of our familiarization plan, everyone that needs to see the aircraft will get hands-on training to see how it’s different than a KC-135 Stratotanker and see how their roles will change,” said Ruotolo. “One group in particular is aircrew flight equipment. The rear door of the trainer opens up for egress and has the slide which can be inflated to get people trained in egressing the aircraft.”

KC-46 boom operators will take on a greater role with cargo transport than they have previously experienced with the KC-135. The ability to transport larger cargo on the KC-46 will require different loading methods and techniques than used on the KC-135.

“In terms of cargo capacity, the KC-135 can hold six pallets and the KC-46 can hold 18,” said Ruotolo. “In addition, the KC-135 can only load one single row, compared to the KC-46 where you can load two rows. That allows you to load different types of cargo such as joined pallets.”

The trainer also offers Airmen the time and flexibility to stay up to date on training qualifications as well.

“Having the fuselage trainer here is a big step,” Tech. Sgt. Andy Keiser, 344th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. “On my previous aircraft we didn’t have anything like this. We had to do our training on the actual jet, where we would have to load and fly with the cargo for it to count for our proficiency. But now with the trainer we can keep functional aircraft in the system doing its mission.”

Team McConnell will be able to use the fuselage to become more educated about cargo, airlift and the strategic components it adds to air refueling and the Air Force arsenal as we move toward a future with the KC-46.