“This mission was practiced extensively in flight simulators. Each phase of evaluation has been carefully considered, taking into account crew safety, aircraft capabilities, and existing federal aviation standards. That allowed us to make a deliberate and thorough analysis of what risks and hurdles are present, how to mitigate those, and allowed us to recommend training requirements to familiarize crews with the basic functions and critical controls of unfamiliar crew positions.”
Source: Colonel Nate Vogel, 22nd ARW commander, discussing the 22nd Air Refueling Wing having completed a single-pilot KC-46A Pegasus flight to validate procedures for limited aircrew.