Friday, March 31, 2017

Intro to Naval Aviation Class at NSTC (catch up)


This catch up class is taking place APRIL FIRST * after Graduation Rehearsal, at 13:30 SLT.
(*) not an April Fools announcement!

Introduction to Naval Aviation Class
Instructor: CDR. Asra Sax Kron, NASMCO
Estimated duration: 1.5 hours
Location: N.S.T.C. Nautilus, Velinissimo - Boxer Building classroom


Attendees: O.C.S. and R.T.C. students that missed this class.
Sit in: Yes, to any U.S.N.S.L. commissioned officer or enlisted.
Prerequisites: None.
Follow up: Other specific classes related to U.S.N.S.L. components procedure.

1. U.S. Naval Aviation in RL.
* Early Years
* Between World Wars
* WW2
* Post-War Years
* Jet Era
* Cuba and Vietnam
* Into a New Era
* 75 Years and onward
* Turn of the Century
* Today

2. U.S. Naval Aviation in SL.
* Origins
* The Age of Flight
* Gold over Blue
* A Navy for Tomorrow
* Third Fleet

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Lightning evaluation? Not so fast...

XF/A-2C 2 MFFK BuNo's 17019 and 17017 at Miramar, 03/29/2017.

Supporting the Fleet in the procurement and evaluation of new assets, the United States Naval Test
Pilot School is always helping aircraft manufacturers to improve their airframes, engines and avionics, to the benefit of the Navy and the global aviation community. Seasoned pilots, engineers, designers and builders come together to create some of the most exciting and advanced naval aviation
aircraft in Second Life.

Following a Third Fleet procurement for a mid term aircraft stand in for the F-35C Lightning II, the United States Naval Test Pilot School has been evaluating the XF/A-2C 2 MFFK, asset procurement # X0117 (see here). Three aircraft have been acquired for testing, research and development purposes by USNTPS test pilots and the process is underway.

The results are confidential as usual and will be submitted to Third Fleet command and MFFK management. We expect this work to lead soon to a front line F-35C in service with the Fleet.

Two of the three USNTPS XF/A-2C's on the East apron at NASM.
MFFK will get a full report on the X prototype the Navy requires for R&D.
Though impressive as they sit on the tarmac, a lot of work is still ahead.
The Navy places high hopes on this mid term solution. Key word: Engine.
The promise of many Lightnings to come.

The XF/A-2C is the first X-Plane to be evaluated at the USNTPS, but hardly the first X-Plane at Miramar. We have been serving the Fleet in the R&D capacity for over a year now (see here).
More to follow. Stay tuned!
Developing the ideal aircraft for the Navy may be a hard target but we aim true and try our best
to be as accurate and realistic as possible within the limitations of this virtual world.


CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO

Note (August 2019):
The XF/A-2C was never adopted by the Fleet and the USNTPS reports were forwarded to MFFK to serve as a check list for the development of the true F-35C Lightning. Today, August 2019, with the USNTPS located at NAS PAX River (as it is in real life) the XF-35C project is underway to provide MFFK with an alternative more advanced engine and flight model for the available F-35C.

 

Intro to Naval Aviation Class at NSTC


This class is taking place MARCH 30 at 12:30 hours.

Introduction to Naval Aviation Class
Instructor: CDR. Asra Sax Kron, NASMCO
Estimated duration: 1.5 hours
Location: N.S.T.C. Nautilus, Velinissimo - Boxer Building classroom


Attendees: O.C.S. and R.T.C. students
Sit in: Yes, to any U.S.N.S.L. commissioned officer or enlisted.
Prerequisites: None.
Follow up: Other specific classes related to U.S.N.S.L. components procedure.

1. U.S. Naval Aviation in RL.
* Early Years
* Between World Wars
* WW2
* Post-War Years
* Jet Era
* Cuba and Vietnam
* Into a New Era
* 75 Years and onward
* Turn of the Century
* Today

2. U.S. Naval Aviation in SL.
* Origins
* The Age of Flight
* Gold over Blue
* A Navy for Tomorrow
* Third Fleet

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Flying for Life!

Click to Air Show Layout.

The Blue Angels "fly for life" again today over the Bingo Strait, Lanig, at 12:00 SLT (Noon). This demonstration is the first in the series of appearances the squadron will have at Fly For Life initiatives. Part of Relay For Life in Second Life (RFL), Fly For Life is organizing several events related to aviation in SL, from static displays to air shows.

Come see the Blues fly once more and remember to find a RFL kiosk and please donate what you can to this worthy and noble cause - every dollar makes a difference! This year Fly For Life alone has already been awarded the RFL Bronze stamp for the donations gathered so far.


Navy personnel can watch the show from Naval Base North Valley, Gorlanova, but since Naval Air Facility Gorlanova is the starting and arrival point of the team, viewers may be directed to one of the three main audience locations: Aleksandr International airport (SLAI), Svidler or one of the two USNSL Third Fleet frigates placed on open waters on the Bingo Strait, the USS Defiant on Sapas and the USS Dauntless on Lanig. For SLURS to all the audience locations and the complete show layout CLICK HERE!

Join us for the second Blue Angels air show of the 2017 Season!

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Angel 7

Thursday, March 23, 2017

ATC Class at NAS Miramar


This class is taking place today at 16:15 hours SLT.

Air Traffic Control Basic Class
Instructor: CDR. Asra Sax Kron, NASMCO
Estimated duration: 1.5 hours
Location: N.A.S. Miramar Main - Du Sud Isle - Building B, Briefing room

Attendees: USNSL NA's, NFO's and AW personnel, NSTC students aiming for those roles.
Prerequisites: None.
Follow up: ATC intermediate and advanced classes and evaluation in action.

1. ATC communication types in SL.
2. ATC radar types in SL.
3. Aircraft identification.
4. On the ground.
5. In the air.

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

OCS/RTC a year later

CDR. Connie Mistwalker giving a Uniforms and Grooming class in the USS Boxer Classroom, NSTC, 03/07/2017




















[update]
Following the resignation from Third Fleet by RADM. Isaac Harcassle, in June 6, 2017, NSTC has transferred to 2nd Fleet. As of a month later, it still serves Third Fleet by graduating our officer candidates and recruits, but no official connection or protocols are in place. The future of an institution that should serve as "Quarterdeck of the Navy", as opposed to quarterdeck of a single fleet, is at this point (July 2017) unknown. On this event, see here.

Naval Service Training Command has reached a year of operations and yet another Officer Candidate School and Recruit Training Camp started, this one a particularly robust class, no less than 13 candidates and recruits attending. CDR. A. Kron and LCDR. A. Rainbow were in the area placing some Blue Angels Fly For Life posters at NSTC and sat in for a couple of classes. It is a joy to see so many young men and women embracing the Navy and we are very proud of each and every one of them. Here are a few snapshots of the day.

As usual click to enlarge.

Paying attention. Great participation and awareness.
A break between classes. Making the most of the day.
CDR. Connie Mistwalker teaching.
Customs and Courtesies, back to back with Uniforms and Grooming.
Great class, outstanding attendance.

Go NSTC! Go Navy! Hooyah!

CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO

Monday, March 6, 2017

Action Shot AS07/17


Blue Angels Fly for Life again

Soon more to follow! Click to enlarge.

As it happened in 2016 (see here), the U.S.N.S.L. Blue Angels will "Fly for Life" in an effort to raise awareness and funds to the fight against cancer. Part of Relay for Life in Second Life, Fly for Life involves events organized with the participation of many groups from the SL aviation community. The Navy Flight Demonstration Team, Blue Angels, is one of them and will be flying in several Fly for Life events this year.

The first event will be held on March 25 at 12:00 pm SLT over the waters of North Satori, show sim is Lanig, just off Naval Air Facility Gorlanova (NAFGO), in the Naval Base North Valley hub - Gorlanova, and North of Aleksandr International Airport - Svidler.

Complete details soon. Stay tuned.

CDR. Asra Kron
USNSL Third Fleet liaison to FFL

Saturday, March 4, 2017

New SCPMU's received

SCPMU's 17A, B and C in hangar C at Miramar, just arrived. 03/04/2017.




















The Navy Flight Demonstration Team received three new Show Center Point Marker Units (SCPMU's) and will start using them as of March 04. These units will provide the team with show center point location, secure communications and a close proximity radar. Deployed during practices and shows at center point, they are also the position from where Angels 7 and 8 do their jobs.

As usual, click on the images to enlarge.

Unit 17C will be stationed at NAFEN.
Units A and B remain stationed at NASM.
17A will be the Show-Ready unit, following the team.
LT. Chardy Oak, Angel 2, inspects unit 17C before shipment.

The USNSL NFDT Blue Angels wish to thank MFFK, the manufacturer of the units, for the support and steadfastness demonstrated during the commission stage, supplying the necessary specs for the application of the NFDT color scheme at Miramar. Our warmest regards to Ms. Cindy Mofafeikou for her outstanding work as MFFK liason.

CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO, Angel 7



Wednesday, March 1, 2017

NAAR 02 Class at NAS Miramar


This class is taking place today at 1930 hours SLT.
This starts the NAAR 02 cycle, you will need this class to attend.
Catch up NAAR 01 classes available by schedule for this series first run - minimum of three attendees required for catch up classes.

Naval Aviation Aircraft Recognition (NAAR) Class - 02
Instructor: CDR. Asra Sax Kron, NASMCO
Estimated duration: 1.0 hours
Location: N.A.S. Miramar Main - Du Sud Isle - Map Room *
Attendees: USNSL pilots, aircrews and ATC personnel, NSTC students.
Prerequisites: Naval Aviation Aircraft Recognition (NAAR) Class - 01.
Follow up: NAAR 03 classe and evaluation in action.

1. Types of identification.
2. Bureau numbers.
3. Branch markings.
4. Deployment location and tail codes.
5. Squadron identification and insignia.
6. Squadron of deployment numbers.
7. Role markings.
8. Third Fleet squadrons.

* Map Room direct access with NASM tags only. IM a local officer for transport.

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO