Naval Helicopter Association Scholarship Fund

The Case for the Roll Vector

By CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.), President NHASF NHA LTM #4/RW#13762

In late 1979, I joined HM-12 as an FRS instructor after first attending the Aviation Safety Officer Course at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Monterey. Though better versed in the arts than the sciences, I really hit the books. When complete, I was proud to have earned three hours of undergraduate aerodynamic credits, an Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) Course Certificate, all for running 100 miles in 6 weeks. I was feeling healthy ... and smart! Filled with both academic and athletic fervor, I joined the squadron flag football team with our skipper, CAPT Dreesen, as the team captain and quarterback/coach.

As the squadron’s new ASO, my job included passing on my newfound knowledge of helo aero, and tons of other useful stuff, to the Ready Room. My first lecture was a lesson in dynamic rollover.

Having prepared a ten-minute session, I drew graphs to show how the lift vector rapidly becomes a roll vector if one of your landing gear is chained or otherwise fixed or obstructed (scupper, big rock, hole in the runway) and you pull up on the collective.

Shortly, the blackboard was covered in diagrams and even a little math. Doing my best to capture the full attention of a crowd of FRS instructors, I looked out at my colleagues to find no one paying attention (if only I could cartoon this with thought bubbles above each head...).

Finally, getting to the penultimate graph, the takeoff diagram, I emphasized tail rotor thrust and the roll vector. Then, in a final attempt to make aero exciting, I drew some arrows from the roll vector to the top of the blackboard and said in my best sports announcer voice:

"... Smith breaks out from coverage downfield. The Skipper drops back, rolls right, and pivots, throwing it long...and Smith catches it ...it’s a touchdown, and HM-12 wins the 5th Naval District Championships!"

Everyone looked up, initially startled, and then the ready room erupted in a great HOORAY!

And that is the case for The Roll Vector! Should read: (OBTW: We took third in the 5th Naval District Football Championships [11/1979])

NHA Scholarship Fund - 2023

The case for a scholarship fund donation.

TheNHA Scholarship Fund (NHA SF) Committee manages a modest scholarship fund for the NHA (~$500-$600k). In essence, the NHA SF Committee finds and manages the funding and the procedures to select and award a minimum of fifteen scholarships to eligible active-duty and reserve as well as enlisted personnel, retired members, and their family members. To fund our annual slate of awards, we manage a healthy investment portfolio and encourage individual donations, endowed gifts, corporate sponsors, and legacy and memorial gifts. Our fundraising season covers all twelve months of the year, emphasizing the 4th quarter of the calendar year.

Our strategic plan guides our annual award limits and the awareness effort needed to bring in adequate funding. NHASF's application period runs from 1 September through 31 January. It is guided by our vision: Position NHASF to be a premier scholarship choice in Naval Aviation in 5 years (2025).

We expect to provide a sound, growing fund base to incrementally increase the dollar value of the fifteen annual awards total to reach $75k ($5000 each) in 5 years (2025).

In February, our selection process begins. Run regionally, our selection process consists of up to six NHA regional teams (San Diego, DC, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Pensacola, and overseas) and one functional group (graduate, active duty, military spouses including Gold Star family members). In February, each region/group receives a slate of applicants to “rack and stack,” then forwards their recommended slate of candidates and alternates to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves the slate in April. Announcements are made at the NHA Symposium in May. Once announced, funds are sent directly to the registrar/admission/finance office of the selectee's university or college for tuition purposes. Fundraising and awareness continues through all twelve months.

Throughout the year, we encourage our members to donate generously and to encourage our shipmates and their families to apply.

Thanks for your support.

Aboard USS Midway Museum

The Midway Foundation Pillars of Freedom Awards

On 10 November, USS Midway Foundation announced their 2023 Pillars of Freedom Grant Awards for the community, with 17 recipients sharing $627,000. NHASF was awarded $12,000, covering three $4,000 NHA Scholarships for 2023.

USS Midway Foundation President Laura White, and Robin Hatfield present a check to CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.).

Receiving the award for NHA, CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.) said, “The USS Midway Museum continues to be a pillar of our community. Along with being the top attraction in San Diego, they give back generously. This is the fifth consecutive year the Foundation has awarded NHA with a generous grant. We appreciate your generosity and leadership in philanthropy.”

2023 Applications for one of 15 annual NHA Scholarships will be accepted through 24 January 2023; complete applications must be received by NHA Scholarship Office by 31 January 2023. The selection process will commence in February and after Board approval award winners will be announced at the May 2023 Symposium and published in Rotor Review.

Find out more by visiting our website: Membership: https://www.nhascholarshipfund.org Application and prescreening: https://www. nhascholarshipfund.org/