PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place Tuesday, February 15 to Friday, February 25, 2022, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely on an aircraft carrier. The practices consist of a series of touch-and-go maneuvers, “bounces.” Airspeed, altitude, and power are all precisely choreographed in order for a pilot to approach the ship within an acceptable window to land on the deck safely.

FCLP training is essential for the precision and safety of our pilots and the success of their mission. Landing on an aircraft carrier is perhaps the most difficult task in military aviation. It is a highly complex and perishable skill and requires an intense period of training before pilots deploy. Residents may notice increased noise levels due to these operations.

As with all operations, NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities on the community. For more information call 1-866-819-9028.


David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist and founder of The Southern Maryland Chronicle. A Baltimore native raised in Southern Maryland, Higgins founded the Chronicle in 2017 and has built it...

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