Friday, October 21, 2011

Fly-in 'a tremendous opportunity'

The 22nd annual Naval Helicopter Association Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In held on Thursday was for the young and old of heart.

The Fly-In gives flight students an inside look of what they have to look forward to down the road, bringing in roughly 26 fleet helicopters piloted by the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The Fly-In takes future flight students on flights around the Santa Rosa County area and gives them a close-up look of the helicopters and their purpose.

The event served to give flight students in advanced helicopter training their first taste of which aircraft they may be flying after they complete training.

Although the event started with just a few aircraft, it has grown to regularly feature around two dozen rotary winged aircraft, and to help celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation, as many as four historically painted helicopters are expected to attend.

The NHA brings industry displays from various aviation companies and enables tremendous networking opportunities between pilots and corporate representatives. However, the true value of the Fleet Fly-In is the impact it makes on the flight students as they prepare to make career decisions on aircraft they would like to fly that will accompany them in carrying out their mission with the military.

“I remember that the first time I climbed into a fleet helicopter was during the Fleet Fly-In. There should be something from each of the rotary wing communities to help the students get some hands on experience with a fleet squadron. It’s a tremendous opportunity to learn,” Cmdr. Hans Sholley, commanding officer Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT said.

The four-day Fleet Fly-In began Tuesday afternoon, as the helicopters arrived at Whiting Field. Navy helicopters which have participated in past Fleet Fly-Ins and which are expected for this year's event include the H-53 Sea Stallion, the various versions of the H-60 Seahawk, the MH-60S Knighthawk, MH-60R, Marine Corps H-53 Sea Stallion, AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey and the Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin.

Students are afforded three windows of opportunity to fly in the fleet aircraft, but other opportunities through social and formal events enable them to ask questions and learn from the more experienced pilots. These events include: industry displays, briefs from community detailers for the students, static display aircraft, cook outs and sporting activities with the fleet pilots.

The event takes months to plan, and involves cooperation from NAS Whiting Field, Training Air Wing FIVE, corporate sponsors, military contract personnel and more. It is a long process, but one that is eagerly awaited each year by the staff and students in the training squadrons.

“The goal is to make an event that builds on previous years – to set a foundation to help it grow,” Sholley said. “It is a great event that brings the training all together for the students. It is a great motivator for them since, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Fly-In comes less than a month from when Cpt. Pete Hall will step down as NAS Whiting File’s commanding officer.

http://www.srpressgazette.com

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