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The US Navy has awarded a $57.4 million follow-on contract to Texas-based Helicopter Institute for pilot training services under the Contractor Operated Pilot Training-Rotary (COPT-R) program, which continues until 2030. This contract, extending from an existing agreement initiated in late 2023, will provide rotary-wing naval flight students with basic flight instruction in commercial helicopters, supporting the Chief of Naval Air Training.

Following their basic training with Helicopter Institute, student pilots will transition to the US Navy's rotary-wing flight school at NAS Whiting Field in Florida, flying the Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher. The training will shift from using the Bell 206B Jet Ranger to the Robinson Helicopter's R66-based TH-66 Sage trainer. Additionally, the US Army is considering the TH-66 for its Flight School Next program, with M1 Support Services selected as one of three contenders.