At which altitude should a recovery tanker not intercept closer than during its approach?

During the approach of a recovery tanker, maintaining a safe intercept altitude is crucial for collision avoidance and to ensure a smooth and safe operation. An intercept altitude of 600 feet is considered the safe limit to avoid potential conflicts with other aircraft and terrain.

The reason 600 feet is specifically chosen as the minimum altitude for intercepting is to provide adequate vertical separation from lower-flying aircraft, including those that may be approaching or departing from nearby airports, as well as to account for any airspace restrictions or terrain elevations. Intercepting at or below this altitude could increase the risk of safety incidents due to decreased separation from these hazards.

The other altitude options, 500 feet, 700 feet, and 800 feet, do not represent optimal choices for the intercept procedure as effectively as 600 feet. At 500 feet, the margin for safety significantly decreases, and at 700 feet or 800 feet, while they do provide additional separation, they may not align with standard operating procedures that are optimized for efficiency and safety during the tanker approach.

Hence, 600 feet is recognized as the appropriate altitude during a recovery tanker’s intercept approach that balances operational safety and efficiency.