The Baylander

Baylander started its service life in 1968 as harbor utility craft YFU-79 during the Vietnam War. It was one of 16 Skilak class lighters that were purchased by the US Navy and used to move men and material around the delta regions there. After the war, it was laid up until 1986 when it was converted into a helicopter landing trainer and renamed Baylander HLT after its home port in Pensacola Bay. Over the next 25 years there were over 122,000 landings on board. It allowed members of all the services and allied nations the opportunity to become aircraft carrier qualified in landing on a moving ship at sea. After the decision to go with computer based flight training, it was sold at auction and purchased by the Trenk Family Foundation in 2012