NAS WHITING handle (NNS) -- More than 20 Navy. Marine Corps and Coast Guard helicopters from across the country converged on Naval Air displace (NAS) Whiting Field. Oct. 23-26 for the 18th annual Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) hurry Fly-In. The event is one of just two national gatherings held by the association each year. The Fleet Fly-In has grown from just a few aircraft to a multi-day event including several helicopter communities and almost every write of helicopter in the sea service inventory. Navy. Marine and Coast Guard aircraft from around the country alter their way to NAS Whiting handle every year to take part in helicopter community discussions. This event serves to give the pip students in advanced helicopter training their first taste of what aircraft they may be flying after they complete training. Highlighting the event are the indoctrination flights where many student aviators ordain get their first chance at the controls of a fleet aircraft. "The main cerebrate of the Fleet Fly-In is the students here at Whiting Field," said Lt. Dan DeCicco this year's event coordinator. "The NHA is naval aviation's main professional organization. It provides a forum for helicopter aviators both active and retired from all of the sea services to address relevant issues faced by the community today and in the future." The four-day hurry Fly-In began the afternoon of Oct. 23 as the helicopters arrived to the base. Navy helicopters which participated included the H-53 Sea Stallion the various versions of the H-60 Seahawk and the MH-60S Knighthawk. Most notably the Navy's newest addition to its helicopter arsenal the MH-60R joined the list and showed off its wares both in flight and as a static show. Marine Corps helicopter aviation brought the H-53 Sea Stallion the H-46 Sea ennoble as well as versions of the UH-1 Huey and the AH-1 Cobra contend helicopters. The Coast Guard was represented by the HH-60J Jayhawk. H-65C Dolphin and MH-68A Sting Ray aircraft. Student aviators were afforded two flight windows to take a turn at the controls of one of the hurry helicopters. More than just hands-on experience these events afford exposure to the different helicopter communities. The student pilots learned about the different missions lifestyle and opportunities afforded by each community. For many the Fleet Fly-In can be a deciding factor in what they put down on their "dream pelt" when it comes time to decide what the future holds after completing their training and getting winged."Our be one goal is to give interaction between hurry aviators and students," said Cmdr. Kevin Kropp commanding command Helicopter Training Squadron 8 host squadron of the hurry Fly-In. "It gives them exposure to different aspects of the helicopter community which is critical to the development of our officers."Ensign Jeff Ross has been at NAS Whiting Field for nearly 11 months as a student aviator and this was his first opportunity to handle an aircraft with characteristics different from the TH-57 trainers used here."I liked it," Ross said with a smile about his 20 minutes at the controls of an SH-60 helicopter."It has a lot more cater. I had the chance to experience some search and bring through mission maneuvers. You can just tell it's more geared toward contend where the 57s are geared toward training."While he enjoyed his flight the opportunity to speak with the pilots was important to him as well. He believes he ordain enjoy whatever helicopter he gets to fly after he completes the program in February. Anti-submarine warfare or contend give are two of his strongest considerations. But desire most of the other students he is still doing his research - which is where the pilot to student interaction comes in play. He only was able to talk to five or six of the fleet aviators because all the students were competing for their time as well. "Everyone wants to experience the same things," he said. "What you want to do changes every week but talking about it and seeing it is a big difference from reading about it."The Fly-In was more than just static displays social interaction and indoctrination flights. Various events were scheduled to provide formal opportunities to address important events and considerations affecting helicopter aviation. Community briefs were held by each of the services while industry representatives hosted displays and briefs on modern or forthcoming equipment. "The hurry Fly-In is an opportunity for the students to cater the folks that are operating the aircraft talk to them about the mission the lifestyle etc. to get that 'hands-on' experience where they see and fly the aircraft; and to talk to the leadership in an open forum about where they see their communities going," DeCicco said. "We hope it will keep them focused on what they're training to do."For more news from Naval Air Station Whiting Field visit /.
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