FLYING Officer Frances Phelan says her career refuelling strike and fighter aircraft has taught her a whole new approach to life.
Her unique role involves connecting with other aircraft mid-flight, transferring fuel from the KC-30A, and allowing ‘receiver’ aircraft to remain airborne longer.
Originally from Rockhampton, she’s now serving as an air mobility officer on KC-30As after being given a mission aircrew role in 2021.
“During mission training, I would struggle to back myself and my decisions, but I have worked hard to build my confidence,” Flying Officer Phelan said.
“I now know I am well-equipped to complete missions efficiently and effectively.”
Flying Officer Phelan posted to 33 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley last year.
“I hadn’t considered air mobility officer as an option, but now that I’m here I fully believe I’ve landed where my skills are best placed – I couldn’t be in a better job,” she said.
“I love that 33 Squadron works with many different aircraft and flying squadrons, and that we get to participate in exercises which allow us to work with our international partners and travel the world while doing so.”
“At Exercise Vigilant Defence in Korea, I gained valuable exercise experience, not only with air-to-air refuelling, but also the planning and execution involved.”
She works on a fleet of seven KC-30As – Airbus A330 airliners that have been converted to refuelling roles.
The KC-30A can remain 1800km from its home base, with 50 tonnes of fuel available to offload for up to four hours.
In its transport role, the KC-30A can carry 270 passengers and can accommodate 34,000kg of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers.
From Flying Officer Phelan’s console in the KC-30A’s cockpit, she controls a 17m extendable refuelling boom under the aircraft’s tail that plugs into the receiver aircraft.
Alternatively, she can manage two refuelling pods mounted beneath each wing, which unreel a hose-and-drogue that inserts into a receiver aircraft.
Each KC-30A carries a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes in the skies, effectively making it a flying service station for smaller aircraft.
Flying Officer Phelan has flown on multiple exercises and operations in Australia and overseas.
