S61 - Who is Operating?

[KiwiNedNZ]

Just a quick question for members. Who around the world is still operating the S61.

Thanks for your help.

[Gordy]

Croman, Carson, CHI, Withrotor.

[Modtro]

AirGreenland

[helonorth]

N registered

FAA Registry - Aircraft - Make / Model Inquiry (http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=SIKORSKY&Modeltxt=S61&PageNo=1)

[ericferret]

https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&aircrafttype=s61

Also Spanish Coastguard

[Bravo73]

Doesn't the US State Department operate the largest S-61 fleet these days?

New S-61 Helos for the US Government (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/new-s-61t-helos-for-the-us-state-department-06198/)

[Winnie]

HNZ/CHL has 3 they still operate I believe.

[helideck]

Brittish International in the Falklands

[newfieboy]

Heli-Carrier in Quebec operating an ex Cougar 61.

[stonedigger]

Coulson Aviation out of Port Alberni operate two 61's, mainly on logging and fire fighting.

[Helofxr]

Doesn't the US State Department operate the largest S-61 fleet these days?

New S-61 Helos for the US Government (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/new-s-61t-helos-for-the-us-state-department-06198/)

The State Department sold most of their S-61's in 2016.

[Bravo73]

Ah. Who to?

[jonnyloove]

The S-61N's used on the state department were stop gaps until the converted ex SeaKings to Triton spec.
The S-61's are all currently in storage as some of the mods done to them were not approved and leaves they in a grey area.

[melmothtw]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bravo73 http://www.pprune.org/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/588950-s61-who-operating.html#post9626365)
Doesn't the US State Department operate the largest S-61 fleet these days?

New S-61 Helos for the US Government (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/new-s-61t-helos-for-the-us-state-department-06198/)
The State Department sold most of their S-61's in 2016.


That's surprising, as they were ramping up their fleet quite significantly in 2011 I seem to recall. They had about 30 under contract, and were authorised to buy 110 of them.


Any word on why they retired them all so suddenly?

[albatross]

A friend flys a US registered 61 for the USN test centre in the Bahamas ...don't know who the operator is.
Yes I am jealous of him. LOL

[Soave_Pilot]

I think I have never seen many people talk negative things about the S-61, perhaps no one as I can recall. Was this the best "non modern technology" large type helicopter ever built?

[KiwiNedNZ]

Every pilot we have ever interviewed about the S61 has always been complimentary - don't think I have ever heard a bad word against that helo - unlike many of todays modern ones :)

[Hedski]

AUTEC run 61's for Bahamas gig. Many happy hours flying 61, always felt comfortable in it even in turbulence.

[500guy]

Carson is gone. Coulson, and HTS are operating them in the US, maybe others.