Photo set 1Royal Saudi Air Force, Airbus A-330 MRTT (2406) touched down at just before 14.00 local at RAF Waddington on Sunday 26 Feb.
Approaching from the west onto runway #02 - yes, we were going to shoot into the sun - it made the shortest of possible landings for a large aircraft. Reverse thrust kicked up clouds of dust and whatever else could fly, not mentioning the heat the wheel brakes must have generated. The plane then turned to starboard wanting to take a 'short-cut' taxiway to its designated dispersal area (1st picture).
Then it stopped dead in its tracks, at a 45 degree angle to the runway - CONFUSION!
Some seconds passed and the aircraft steered back onto the main runway, taxiing at its very slowest, towards the end of the runway, where it U-turned to go to its designated area. I would love to know the conversation between tower and flight deck, as to what was the 'issue'?
I need to ascertain the meaning of the graphics.
As I understand it, the Saudi planes can refuel by both 'flying boom' and 'probe-and-drogue'.
Note the dust
God Bless You, it says next to the flight deck windows ....
This 'manual' marshalling I've not seen before at Waddington
Thank you!