First students use new TH-73A

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Twelve student naval aviators at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, began advanced helicopter training in the new TH-73A Thrasher aircraft in early September. NAS Whiting Field accepted the first TH-73A in August 2021 as a replacement for the 40-year-old TH-57 Sea Ranger aircraft, which provides basic helicopter training and advanced Instrument Flight Rules training. The current TH-57B was introduced in 1981, followed by the TH-57C in 1982, which will be phased out by the TH-73A. Before students begin flying the new helicopter, they will complete a rigorous course of groundwork in virtual reality and flying simulators to get them ready for the more powerful helicopter. From start to finish, the aviation students spend approximately 38 weeks in the advanced training regimen at Whiting before they graduate and move to larger operational helicopters, such as the H-60, H-53 and AH-1 helicopters. Training Air Wing Five based at Whiting Field is the largest aviation training wing in Naval Air Training Command (CNATRA). It is responsible for training 60% of primary aviation students in the T-6 aircraft, and 100% of all Navy, Marine and Coast Guard helicopter students. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 09/20/22)