Travel Fit

Are you someone who travels frequently?  Living life out of your suitcase as you hop one flight to the next for that urgent sales meeting, conference or client presentation?  And most seasoned frequent flyers understand that maximizing this lifestyle can be tough and if they're not careful can lead to poor eating and fitness habits.  We're looking out for our road warrior customers have rounded up a few healthful eating tips and simple exercises that can keep you on the road to "wellville!"

While plentiful food choices may not always abound in small and medium hub airports, we think you'll find these tips universally applicable when traveling.  When ordering off the menu, visiting the grab and go kiosk, or even packing your own snacks; we recommend considering the following:

• Ordering a slice of veggie pizza instead of the pepperoni.
• Selecting a baked potato as your side in lieu of the french fries.
• Pack raisins to nosh on instead of a candy bar.
• Purchase a bottle of water, not the bottle of soda.
• Ration yourself some carrots instead of cheese puffs.
• Need some cereal?  Choose the whole-grain, no sugar option instead of the sugary variety.
• An apple will be better for you in the long run instead of the fruit pie.
• Want dairy?  How about low-fat yogurt instead of ice cream.
• Opt for the turkey sandwich instead of the fried chicken.
• Have a plain bagel with your morning cup of coffee instead of the donut.
• Pretzels can provide a salty fix instead of the potato chips.
• 1% milk has less calories per glass than whole milk.
• Have a sweet tooth?  Try graham crackers as opposed to the chocolate chip cookies.

Couple these healthy food selections with these on-the-road exercises and you may just have a bit more energy than you planned on when returning home from that week away.  The best part about these exercises?  You don't need equipment to do them!

• Take the steps instead of the elevator.  Get that blood flowing.  If you're up to it, take two steps up at a a time!
• Lunges, if you do these in the hotel room after taking the stairs, you're sure to get a great leg workout!
• Sit-ups and push-ups are a great floor exercise.  Any reasonable hotel room will have enough floor space for you to throw down a bath towel as an exercise mat after you get back from meetings, dinner or the like.
• Hold up the wall!  Lean against an empty wall in your hotel room as though your sitting in a chair with your legs bent at a ninety-degree angle.  Hold this position as long as you're able without falling.  The more you practice, the longer you should be able to hold this position. 
• If you have time to visit your hotel's fitness facilities, add it to your trip agenda!  If you schedule the time and make a point to consider it a "to do," you may be more likely to stick with the healthy routine while on the road.

Bear in mind that these fitness tips are suggestions and may not be applicable for everyone.  We hope you're able to find something useful and apply it toward your healthy travel pursuits!

What tips do you have to share?  Do you have favorite healthy food choices that you've discovered in airports and hotels during your travels?  Do tell! 

The Aircraft of MDT: Boeing 717

Welcome to the fifth regular installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we are taking a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

A Boeing 717 in AirTran livery.

When McDonnell Douglas and Boeing merged in 1997, McDonnell Douglas was developing the MD-95. The new aircraft would be a grandchild of the Douglas DC-9 by way of the MD-80. It anticipated a need to replace the earliest DC-9s, which were nearly 30 years old at the time. Although many believed that the merger would signal the end of the MD-95 project, Boeing chose to go ahead with production of the aircraft, rebranding it the 717-200.

Boeing had produced a 707 and a 727. Though it appeared to the public that  they had skipped over the 717 designation, it had been used internally; the KC-135 Stratotanker, a military cousin to the 707, had originally been referred to as Model 717. Since that name had never been widely known outside the company, however, it made the perfect name for the new aircraft.

AirTran flight 1004 departs for
Orlando (MCO) on a 717

The 117 seat 717-200 made its first flight in September of 1998 and entered commercial service the following year. Three variants on the base model—a 130 seat 717-300, an 86 seat 717-100, and a 75 seat 717-100 lite—were proposed, but never built. Production of the Boeing 717 ended in 2006 with 156 having been built. The final aircraft was delivered to AirTran Airways in May of 2006. AirTran was the launch customer for the 717 and currently operates 88 of the 133 still in service. AirTran is also the only airline that flies the 717 to and from Harrisburg International Airport. As many as 5,700 passengers a month fly between Harrisburg and Orlando on the aircraft.

The Aircraft of MDT: B-17

Welcome to a special installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we are taking a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

Aluminum Overcast on her last visit to CXY

This week, HIA’s sister airport, Capital City Airport (CXY), will receive a visit from the B-17 Flying Fortress Aluminum Overcast. Aluminum Overcast is a B-17G that has been fully restored and makes an annual tour of the country.

The B-17 was originally developed in 1935 as a contender to replace the US Army Air Corps’s Martin B-10s. Although a crash of the prototype (known as the Model 299) meant that the contract was awarded to the Douglas B-18, the USAAC (soon to become the US Army Air Forces) did end up placing an initial order for thirteen of the Boeing bombers. The B-17 proved itself extremely capable, and by the end of production in 1945, more than 12,700 of the aircraft, across several variants, had been built. The B-17 saw combat across all theaters of World War II.

The B-17 earned its famous nick-name, the "Flying Fortress," when it was rolled out of the hanger prior to its maiden flight; reporter Richard Williams of the Seattle Times remarked on its many mounted machine guns, saying, “Why, it’s a flying fortress!” Boeing subsequently trademarked the name. The Model 299 that made that first flight had seven machine guns, the B-17G, the final production variant, had thirteen and could carry as many as 17,600 lbs of bombs. Of all the bombs dropped by the US on Germany during WWII, nearly 43% were dropped by the Flying Fortress, more than by any other aircraft type.

Aluminum Overcast is one of the nearly 8,700 B-17Gs that were built. The G variant was considered the definitive B-17 and more were built than any other variant. The particular craft that would become Aluminum Overcast, however, never saw combat; it was delivered to the USAAF on May 18, 1945, ten days after VE Day. After being stored as surplus, the aircraft was sold as scrap in 1946. It was resold shortly thereafter and went on to serve as an aerial mapping platform, a cattle hauler, and a pest control and fire-fighting aircraft. In 1978 the aircraft was purchased by a group known as “B-17s Around the World.” They named it Aluminum Overcast in honor of a B-17 that had been shot down over France in 1944. Facing financial difficulties, B-17s Around the World donated Aluminum Overcast to the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1979. The EAA put the aircraft on display until 1983 when it began a ten-year restoration project that refitted Aluminum Overcast with original and replica hardware. The aircraft is now an almost completely authentic recreation, inside and out, of a World War II era B-17, though allowances have been made for modern radio and avionics equipment to meet current airworthiness standards.

Aluminum Overcast

Each year Aluminum Overcast tours the United States and Canada allowing the public to walk through the aircraft on the ground or take half-hour flights. The tour is stopping at Capitol City Airport on August 30 and 31. Self-guided ground tours are available from 2–5 pm on both days. For more details, including information about flights, please visit the Aluminum Overcast website at B17.org.

The Aircraft of MDT: Bombardier CRJ

Welcome to the fourth installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we are taking a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

The Bombardier CRJ does not make the most flights to and from Harrisburg International Airport (that distinction goes to the Dash 8), but, with a potential maximum of over 24,000 per month, it does carry the most passengers. Aircraft in the CRJ family are operated by three of MDT’s airline partners: Delta, United Airlines, and US Airways. The CRJ comes in several variants, but the three that fly into Harrisburg are the CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900. They are able to carry 50, 66 or 70 (depending on the airline), and 86 passengers, respectively.

Delta flight 5254 to Atlanta (ATL) prepares
to depart on a CRJ200

The CRJ name is an initialism for Canadair Regional Jet. The line is manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, but the CRJ program was initiated by Canadair shortly before they were acquired, and after the purchase, the name stuck. Based on the Canadair Challenger business jet, the CRJ100 was introduced in 1992. The CRJ200, identical to the 100 except for its more efficient engines, followed shortly thereafter.

Following the success of the CRJ100/200, Bombardier launched the CRJ700 program. The CRJ700 family is based on the CRJ200, but features a new wing design as well as a body with a slightly larger circumference. The family includes the 66-78 seat CRJ700, the 75-90 seat CRJ900, and the 86-104 seat CRJ1000. The CRJ700 began service in 2001.

The Aircraft of MDT: Embraer ERJ-145

Welcome to the third installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we are taking a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

An ERJ-145 in American Eagle Livery

The Embraer ERJ-145 is a regional jet that entered service in 1995. It’s a common sight here at Harrisburg International Airport. Although the ERJ-145 isn’t the aircraft that makes the most flights in and out of MDT (that honor is held by the Dash 8), it is the most popular by number of airlines that operate flights on it. Of our seven airline partners, four—American, Delta, United, and US Airways—operate flights to and from Harrisburg on the ERJ-145.

Seating 50 passengers, the ERJ-145 is the largest of a family of jets manufactured by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer. The family also includes the ERJ-140 and the ERJ-135 which seat 44 and 37 passengers, respectively. As of May of this year there were nearly 1000 aircraft of the family operating around the world. Those operations include carrying as many

An ERJ-145 parked on the apron.

as 18,000 passengers to or from Harrisburg International Airport every month.

Aviation Field Trips for the Young & Young at Heart

Our Facebook fan page wall is a great place to crowd source the answers to many questions.  We know that many of you L-O-V-E to travel and be a tourist.  So we took the opportunity to ask our fans where they found to be the best spots for an aviation-themed field trip.  We were so pleased with the response!  

Looking for a great place to check out aircraft in your local area, or perhaps a new place to plan a trip to?  Well why not plane spot at these fantastic locations?  This list is not comprehensive and is in no particular order, but certainly includes some thoughtful recommendations from MDT fans: 

Wright Memorial (Kittyhawk, North Carolina)
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights in 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.

St. Maartin

As the second busiest airport in the Caribbean after Puerto Rico's San Juan airport, St. Maarten/St. Martin airport serves as a gateway to the Lesser Antilles as well as an alternate route to the British Virgin Islands. And, given its famous dual French/Dutch personality, this fabulous destination is itself well worth at least a mini-vacation on its own.

Air Force Museum (Dayton, Ohio)

The National Museum of the United States Air Force galleries present military aviation history, boasting more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles on display -- many rare and one-of-a-kind -- along with thousands of historical items and powerful sensory exhibits that bring history to life and connect the Wright brothers' legacy with today's stealth and precision technology. We invite you to take an online glimpse of our galleries. Click on a gallery name to see exhibits, including aircraft, engines, equipment and weapons of the USAF. The section also highlights special exhibits, current exhibits and restoration projects.

Carolinas Air Museum (Charlotte, North Carolina)

The museum is conveniently located adjacent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, so your visit will include watching all types of commercial and private aircraft land and takeoff.  The excitement of feeling the power of the big jets taking off is sure to be an experience all visitors will remember.

Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins, Georgia)

The summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to visit the Museum of Aviation with vacationing visitors and your family. 

Guided tours are available and geared for people ages 5 to adult. They require a minimum of 10 people. The tours are history-based and led by the trained staff of the museum’s education department.

Museum of Flight (Seattle, Washington)The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 400,000 visitors annually. The Museum’s collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the Red Barn®—the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co. The Museum’s aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum’s on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Associations of Museums, and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum (Pooler, Georgia)

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum preserves for all Americans the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum’s vision is to sustain our cultural heritage, support lifelong character education, and to be a center of community engagement.

EAA AirVenture (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)

For 51 weeks a year, EAA is an international community of more than 160,000 members that nurtures the spirit of flight through a worldwide network of chapters, outreach programs, and other events.

But for one week each summer, EAA members and aviation enthusiasts totaling more than 500,000 from more than 60 countries attend EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they rekindle friendships and celebrate the past, present and future in the world of flight.

Museum of Naval Aviation (Pensacola, Florida)

Fly high with an adventure at the National Naval Aviation Museum, one of the world’s largest aviation museums. Located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, this historic treasure boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits and more than 4,000 artifacts representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Watch the awe-inspiring Blue Angels at practice air shows from March through November, take a ride in a motion-based or Top Gun Air Combat simulator, have fun with the ultimate seven story giant screen movie experience in the IMAX Theatre and dine in the Cubi Bar Café, an exhibit itself. There are plenty of family-friendly ways to get the most out of quality time with the kids.

Free admission is an added bonus, as well as free tours inside the Museum and on the flight line.

Udvar-Hazy Center (Washington, DC)

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall. The building opened in December, 2003, and provides enough space for the Smithsonian to display the thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on theNational Mall. The two sites together showcase the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world.

Aircraft Graveyard (Tuscon, Arizona)

The Pima Air & Space Museum offers exclusive bus tours of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), also known as the "Boneyard." The facility is located adjacent to the Museum at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

National Museum of the Marine Corps (Triangle, Virginia)

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and under the command of Marine Corps University, the Museum's soaring design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology surround visitors with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action. 

CR Smith Museum (Dallas, Texas)
C.R. Smith Museum is named for the innovative aviation pioneer and former President of American Airlines, Cyrus Rowlett Smith. The building of the museum honoring C.R. Smith and his accomplishments was the culmination of a two and one-half year fundraising and building effort led by various AA employee and retiree groups. The museum opened July 3rd, 1993.
Artifacts, which began with the Paul Kent Collection, were acquisitioned, painstakingly catalogued and incorporated into the museum's displays and archives by staff and volunteers. Many of these original volunteers are still actively involved with the museum.


Have we missed any that you think should be added to the list?  Where's your absolute favorite location to plane spot and absorb aviation history?  

The Aircraft of MDT: Bombardier Dash 8

Welcome to the second installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we are taking a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

A US Airways Dash 8-100 takes off

With over 540 monthly flights, the Bombardier Dash 8 is the most commonly sighted aircraft at Harrisburg International Airport. The DHC-8 is a twin turboprop regional airliner that was originally produced by de Havilland Canada, a company that has since been acquired by Bombardier Aerospace which continues to manufacture the line. The first Dash 8s entered service in 1984. The original Dash 8s, the series 100 and series 200 (which used the same airframe as the 100s, but with more powerful engines) seated 37-39 passengers. In 1989 the series 300 was introduced. The new variant was capable of carrying 50-56 passengers. The 400 series is an even longer variant introduced in 2000 and seating between 70 and 78 passengers. Beginning in 1996, all new Dash 8s added a Q, for quiet, to their series number (Q200, etc.) because of new noise reduction systems. Except for the Q400 series, all variants of the Dash 8 have ended their production run. There is talk, however, of a new variant to be introduced in 2-3 years, the Q400X, a further stretch that will seat up to 90 passengers.

A Continental Dash 8 arrives at the gate

Dash 8 traffic at MDT is made up entirely of the 100 (Q)200 and (Q)300 series. Continental Connection flies series 200 Dash 8s from Harrisburg to Cleveland and to Newark. US Airways Express flies series 100 & 300 craft to Philadelphia and series 100 planes to Boston and New York. The two airlines together can fly more than 20,000 passengers to or from Harrisburg International Airport on Dash 8s each month.

9 "Must See" Attractions in South Central PA

When inviting a friend or family member to any city for the first time, the top priority on the "to do" list is always siteseeing. Surely you will want to highlight the best places to visit in the area.  Thanks to recommendations from our Facebook fans, we have compiled a travel checklist for first time visitors to South Central Pennsylvania.  These recommendations are based upon their personal experiences and favorites!  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Hershey
The Sweetest Place on Earth
http://www.hersheypa.com/
Hershey, PA, home of Milton Hershey’s first chocolate factory, is a place for the whole family to visit and enjoy. The most popular attraction is Hershey Park with over 65 rides, a water park and live shows. Next to the park is Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can ride Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tour Ride, which shows passengers how Hershey’s chocolate is created. At the end of the ride each guest receives a free complimentary candy bar. Lastly, ZooAmerica, which is free when entering from Hershey Park, is a North American animal Wildlife Park that includes fun and educational activities everyday.

Gettysburg
Largest battle of the Civil War
http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/
Visit the Gettysburg museum and visitors center to learn about the battle via videos, cyclorama, and educational activities. Also, there are bus and car licensed battlefield tours available to view close to 1400 monuments that expand across the 6000 acre battlefield where you can learn the role this battle played in our nation’s history.

Knoebels
Amusement Park and Campground in Elysburg
http://www.knoebels.com/family-vacation.asp
Located in Elysburg, Knoebles is the perfect place to bring the whole family! Knoebels turns your amusement park experience into a family vacation by conveniently allowing park visitors to stay at the park campground where there are cabins and camper parking available. Experience the thrill of the roller coasters or the calming carousel during the day, and then relax by the campfire at night.

City Island
Harrisburg, PA
http://www.harrisburgevents.com/Common/City_Island.html
Known as the midriver heart of the cities’ waterfront, City Island is a place for family and friends! Whether you are spending it at the batting cages, playing mini golf, or staying in the beach house, there is plenty to do on the island. The Skyline Sports Complex is a multi-purpose field for semi-pro soccer and football. Also, you can catch a baseball game at City Island, home to the Commerce Bank Park where the Harrisburg Senators play. You can tour the island by carriage or their scaled-version of the Civil War-era steam train.

Capitol Building Tour
Harrisburg, PA
http://www.pacapitol.com/Main.html
This priceless architectural treasure, being the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, is an icon of democracy and freedom, and a symbol of history and power. The five-story building incorporates various Renaissance designs in some of its largest rooms, and reflects Greek, Roman, and Victorian influences. Throughout the building artists have blended the various styles with motifs featuring Pennsylvania’s achievements in labor, industry and history. In addition to visiting the welcome center, you can take a 30 minute guided tour of “the handsomest building” that President Theodore Roosevelt ever saw.

National Christmas Center
Lancaster, PA
http://www.nationalchristmascenter.com/
Experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child at the museum of the National Christmas Center in Lancaster, PA. There are fifteen main galleries that include exhibits of the first Christmas and Santa’s workshop in the North Pole. Also view an exhibit of a global village’s folk art, customs, and unique gift-giving around the world. Open to the public May through the holiday season, you can discover different Christmas traditions from around the world in one convenient location!

Amish Country
Lancaster, PA
http://www.padutchcountry.com/activities/amish-activities.asp
Visit America’s oldest Amish settlement in Lancaster, PA where you can take a step into and enjoy the peaceful way of life. Take a tour of the Pennsylvania countryside by horse and buggy if you choose, shop for hand-made Amish arts and crafts, and enjoy the authentic Dutch cooking. You can even tour the Lancaster Quilt and Textile museum or the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum to understand the German heritage of the region.

National Watch & Clock Museum Lancaster, PA
http://www.nawcc.org/index.php/museumlibrary
With a collection of over 5,000 items, the National Watch and Clock Museum takes you on a chronological tour through the entire history of time keeping technology from nonmechanical devices to radio-controlled clocks today. The largest collection is the 19th Century American clocks and watches, but the whole museum includes international pieces with a wide variety of clocks, watches and tools. Other collections include early English tallcase clocks, timepieces from Japan and China, and devices from German, France, the Netherlands and Russia.

Getting Outdoors
Hiking and canoeing
http://www.outerquest.com/results.cfm/id/2940
http://www.pahikes.com/
If you are the outdoorsy type or simply want to experience the wonderful nature views of central Pennsylvania you can do this by hiking, canoeing, or kayaking. Outerquest.com offers canoeing and kayaking trips along the beautiful Susquehanna River. Each group will be lead by a trained tour guide and there is absolutely no experience necessary. And, PAHikes.com, features a list of all of the nature trails in Central Pennsylvania and reviews by hikers who are familiar with the trails. Visit these sites for more information in order to get outside and have some fun!

Come Visit!
No matter what your siteseeing interests are, South Central PA has the place for you. Whether you want the joys of an amusement park, the relaxation that comes with visiting Dutch Country or the knowledge of historic battlefields of the Civil War you will find it here! If you have a family member or friend visiting for the first time or if you are planning a family vacation, these attractions and sites are affordable and fun for all. There attractions are only a short list of all the exciting places to visit. Get started planning now, there are great experiences awaiting you in the region surrounding Harrisburg International Airport!

The Aircraft of MDT: Beechcraft 1900D

Welcome to the first installment of The Aircraft of MDT. In this series we will take a look at some of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport.

Air Canada flight 7390 from Toronto (YYZ)
arrives on a Beechcraft 1900D

The Beechcraft 1900D is the smallest commercial aircraft that flies through Harrisburg International Airport. It was manufactured by the Beechcraft Division of Raytheon between 1991 and 2002. The 1900D is the third iteration of the Beechcraft 1900 series, following the 1900 and the 1900C. The 1900 series are all 19 passenger turboprop airliners which were themselves an evolution of Beechcraft’s Model 200 Super King Air.

The 1900C was an early redesign of the 1900, distinguished primarily by the removal of a second airstair door. The 1900D was a more significant redesign. The most obvious feature of the 1900D when compared with the earlier 1900 models is the shape of the cabin. The 1900D is notable in its class for being one of only two 19 passenger airliners in service with a ceiling height that allows most passengers to walk through the craft without bending over. Changing the shape of the body necessitated other changes to the design, including more powerful engines and a larger tail.

Although more than 70 airlines currently operate Beechcraft 1900Ds, the only ones you’ll see at Harrisburg International Airport wear the livery of Air Georgian, operating flights for HIA’s airline partner Air Canada. As many as 900 passengers make their way between Toronto and Harrisburg on 1900Ds every month.

UH-72: Lakota Helicopters at CXY

UH-72 Lakota mid-flight

If you reside or work within proximity of Capital City Airport (CXY) in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, you are sure to have seen increased helicopter activity in the local airspace.  The helicopters you're seeing are the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's UH-72 Lakotas.  The Lakotas are designed to fly light general support operations for the Nation Guard.  So, why are they flying over New Cumberland, you ask?

The helicopters are in the area as CXY was chosen as the location for the helicopter pilots training facility.  CXY was chosen for its proximity to Fort Indiantown Gap, hangar space available for the UH-72s and current use of airspace.  CXY was also chosen because Fort Indiantown Gap coult not adequately support the Lakota training mission due to limited hangar and training space and an unallocated federal appropriation, so an alternate location (CXY) was needed.  The training mission (facility) at CXY will be in place for five years, after which the plan is to move the training mission to Fort Indiantown Gap in 2016.

The pilots receiving training on the Lakotas are Army National Guard units from 53 states and territories and active Army units primarily from the National Training Center, Joint Readiness Training Center, West Point, Belvoir, and CMTC (Germany) units.  The pilots are currently training on eight aircraft and there will eventually be eighteen aircraft in the training fleet.  Training is conducted between 7 a.m. to midnight, and during the summer months it will end at 1 a.m. as the days are longer and the pilots need to train in hours of limited visibility. 

If you have comments, questions or feedback on the UH-72 Lakota training mission at Capital City Airport, please call the Pennsylvania National Guard public affairs office at (717) 861-8468.