Flight Refuelling

Sir Alan Cobham believed that he could fulfil aviation’s full potential by developing and demonstrating in-flight refuelling.

Sir Alan Cobham’s ‘probe and drogue’ technique of in-flight refuelling

He understood that it takes more power for an aeroplane to take off than to fly. The additional power needed to take off results in a smaller range and payload for that aeroplane.

Cobham established Flight Refuelling Limited in 1934 to provide a solution for this problem. His company developed the pioneering ‘probe and drogue’ technique of in-flight refuelling which is still used today by air forces all over the world.

Flight Refuelling Limited exists today as Cobham PLC, which continues to develop aviation technology.