In January 1986, the TH-57B model replaced the TH-57A, an aircraft flown by the squadron for seventeen years. HT-8 currently utilizes both B and C models of the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger.
The TH-73A Thrasher is a derivative of the commercial single-engine instrument flight rules helicopter, AW119Kx Koala. As part of the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS), the TH-73A serves as the training platform for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard rotary wing training, and provides the rotary wing portion of training for all Navy and Marine Corps tilt-rotor aviators.
Contractor: AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo)
Date Deployed: First delivery July 2021
Propulsion: Pratt & Whitney PT6B-37A turbo shaft engine
Length (rotors turning): 42 feet, 5 inches (12.92 meters)
Height: 10 feet, 9 inches (3.29 meters)
Rotor Diameter: 35 feet, 6 inches (10.83 meters)
Weight: 3,325 pounds (1,508 kg) empty, 6,283 pounds (2,850 kg) maximum takeoff
Airspeed: 152 knots (175 mph, 282 km/h) maximum
Ceiling: 15,000 feet (4,572 m)
Range: 357 nautical miles (411 statute miles, 661 km)
Armament: None
Crew: Two (instructor pilot, student pilot); plus three passengers