When shall tanker be vectored to intercept the final bearing?

• A. Upon ATC clearance
• B. When pilot reports ready
• C. After filing an alternate plan
• D. When weather deteriorates

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the tanker rendezvous and final bearing intercept are controlled by the receiving aircraft’s readiness. The final bearing intercept must be set up only after the pilot verbally signals that they are ready to begin the refueling sequence. This ensures precise timing, proper formation, and safe alignment between the tanker and receiver; initiating the intercept without readiness risks misalignment and wasted maneuvering.

So the best answer is: vectoring to intercept the final bearing when the pilot reports ready. ATC clearance concerns airspace and separation, not the initiation of the refueling sequence; filing an alternate plan is a planning step, not the trigger for the intercept; and weather deterioration doesn’t start the rendezvous process.