Transitioning to the TH-73 Thrasher

By LT Sorcha Hartman, USN

On July 10, 2023, the first two conversion Instructor Pilots from Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 18 began their transition from instructing in the TH-57B/C to the TH-73A. Their training will start with a ground phase of instruction in the systems and components specific to the TH-73A "Thrasher," and then cover a multitude of flights designed for instructing students in the various mission areas they can expect in the Fleet. The purpose of the conversion syllabus is to highlight the differences between the TH-57 and the TH-73 and prepare the new instructors to lead the conversion for the entire squadron.

HT-18 first began instructing students in 1972, and the current TH-57B was introduced in 1981 followed by the TH-57C model in 1982. The last TH-57 and very first TH-73A students at HT-18 are expected to start in September. This process has been years in the making. Initially, the Fleet Integration Team (FIT) and the Helicopter Instructor Training Unit (a dedicated detachment onboard NAS Whiting Field that trains all new rotary instructors assigned to HT-8, HT-18 and HT-28) paved the way by designing and validating the syllabi to train the first wave of Student Naval Aviators (SNAs). Helicopter Training Squadron 8 was the first squadron with qualified staff, and started the first twelve student naval aviators in September of 2022, some of whom earned their wings of gold in May of this year. Five PMT instructors from HT-18 began their transition to the TH-73 last year to augment HT-8’s conversion and help iron out the kinks. They will return to HT-18 and share what they have learned to improve the process.

Once complete with their advanced helicopter training, students move to fleet replacement squadrons (FRS). One of the benefits of training in the TH-73 will be a more seamless transition for students to the glass display cockpits utilized in the Fleet.

The transition to the TH-73 marks the culmination of the long and successful lifespan of the TH-57 as the aircraft is ‘sun-downed’ out of service. HT-18 reached 1 million flight hours in the TH-57 in March of 2005, and has flown hundreds of thousands of hours since, winging thousands of Naval Aviators. Every helicopter pilot currently in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard has flown the TH57. HT-18 commemorated the official beginning of this transition with a log book entry written by one of their students, 1st Lt. Alex McLaren, USMC.