Aero Linx: The Naval Helicopter Association The Naval Helicopter Association is a non-profit, member-based organization that is open to anyone interested in naval aviation. NHA is comprised of active duty, retired, civilian, and corporate members. A quarterly subscription to Rotor Review magazine is included in your annual membership. The magazine content includes articles and photographs about unit activities, new developments in rotary wing aviation, and special features of professional interest. NHA also sponsors professional and social functions which include the annual NHA Symposium and hosts social events around the annual CNATRA Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In at NAS Whiting Field in Pensacola, Fl.

High Speed Taxiway A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway center to a point on the center of a taxiway. Also referred to as long radius exit or turn-off taxiway. The high speed taxiway is designed to expedite aircraft turning off the runway after landing, thus reducing runway occupancy time.

“By conducting advanced at sea tests against UAVs and small craft, we will gain valuable information on the capabilities of the Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator against potential threats... The Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator is a unique capability the Portland gets to test and operate for the Navy, while paving the way for future weapons systems, with this new advanced capability, we are redefining war at sea for the Navy." Source: Capt. Karrey Sanders, commanding officer of USS Portland, discussing Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) having successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) MK 2 MOD 0 on May 16.

Yup... This Week Is Definitely Looking To Be 'Space Week'

Aero-News RealTime Update--1554ET, 05.25.20: According to a brief tweet from Virgin Orbit, today's first launch effort has failed. "We've confirmed a clean release from the aircraft. However, the mission terminated shortly into the flight. Cosmic Girl and our flight crew are safe and returning to base." No other details yet available. More info to follow... Aero-News RealTime Update--1521ET, 05.25.20: After dealing with sensor issues on their first targeted day for launch, Sunday, the Virgin Orbit 747 'Cosmic Girl' is airborne, carrying 'LauncherOne' on what may be a historic air-launch of an orbital liquid-fueld rocket system. The aircraft is currently over the Pacific Ocean in preparation for final systems checkout, vehicle release, and launch of the test rocket. Unfortunately, the VO folks are not presenting a LiveStream, like their compatriots at SpaceX and ULA, but their twitter feed noted at 1534ET, that, "Cosmic Girl

President Expected to Be in Attendance

The last few days before the historic launch of NASA/SpaceX Demo-2 have been busy... and both the President and Vice President are rumored to be planning to attend the launch... which now has a 40% chance of favorable weather. Saturday, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley participated in a countdown dress rehearsal of the launch day events. The crewmates are preparing to launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket and fly to the International Space Station. Demo-2 will be the first crewed mission for the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

From 2016: One Of The True Hits Of The Oshkosh Experience, The Annual Night Airshows Are NOT To Be Missed!

Watching a fireworks display on a clear dark night can be inspiring and exciting, but until you’ve seen the sky lit up with a nighttime Aerobatics display, you just don’t know what a fireworks show is really like. Nighttime aerobatic performances are becoming more popular as time goes on, but the king of then all has to be at EAA AirVenture, and this video gives us the highlights (literally) from the 2015 nighttime airshows at Oshkosh. In the video you’ll see a stunning performance by a glider, formation aerobatics (how do they do that at night?), and a biplane that has so many pyrotechnics going off at the same time it will make you wonder how that all works on a fabric covered airplane.

Aviation Org's Continue Uncommon and Welcome Stance Against Dangerous Program

NBAA joined with other industry stakeholders in a petition filed May 22 requesting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reconsider its approval of Ligado Networks' proposed high-speed broadband cellular network operating near frequency bands currently used by GPS and satellite communications (satcom) networks. The petition identifies several concerns with the FCC's April 20, 2020, order of approval for the nationwide 5G cellular service, including Ligado's failure to sufficiently demonstrate its ability to act as a "good neighbor" and not interfere with other frequencies. The petition also questions the FCC's decision to move forward with its approval in light of the nationwide COVID-19 crisis with no public review of the draft order beforehand. 

Class Schedules Will Be Optimized To Minimize Contact

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to reopen the institution’s residential campuses in Florida and Arizona for face-to-face instruction on June 30. With health precautions in place, Embry-Riddle will resume face-to-face instruction, in keeping with its Path Forward strategy, said President P. Barry Butler. “We are excited about the return of students to Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses,” said Mori Hosseini, chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees. “We continue to review all progress and monitor every phase of the strategy. We believe that a structured, cautious return to normal operations will provide a platform for our institution’s long-term success and better prepare us for the fall semester. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is well positioned for this next step. Our safety focus is unparalleled and our board is unanimous in supporting this decision.”

Missions Covered Approximately 500 Nautical Miles

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) has been flying humanitarian aid missions in a company-owned MD 520N supporting the fight against COVID-19. An MDHI pilot flew the first mission in one of the Company’s helicopters to the Navajo Nation, whose border is approximately 150 miles north of MDHI’s Mesa, AZ base of operations. The Navajo Nation covers 27,000 square miles that can be logistically challenging for transport of goods due to terrain and obstacles throughout its vast expanse.

Program Captures A 3-D Scan Of Each Structural Part

The Army is turning to “digital-twin” technology to resolve challenges and boost efficiencies for its enduring fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. As a first step in this endeavor, an operational Black Hawk helicopter and a separate fuselage began an 800-mile journey Tuesday from Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas to Wichita, Kansas. Through a partnership between the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Strategic Capabilities Office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Wichita State University, researchers at the National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR) will create a virtual model of a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter. Researchers will completely disassemble one of the airframes from Corpus Christi and capture a 3-D scan of each structural part, creating a virtual model – or digital twin – of the workhorse of Army aviation.