S-62/HH-52 Questions

[fling-wing_1]

Anybody out there have any experience operating civilian S-62's? I'm looking for info on acquisition/operating costs, parts availability, problems, issues, experiences. Also can the HH-52's be converted to a civilian cert?

Thanks

[Nigel Osborn]

I spent 1001 hours flying the S62 in the Arabian Gulf. It was a very gentle old lady to fly but I haven't the faintest idea of operating costs. I would imagine because of its age, parts would be hard to come by.
Good luck in your search.

[widgeon]

Maybe we can sell conversion kits S61 to S62 , remove 2 main rotor blades and one donk et viola . The max speed may be hard to take though.
http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=360

[Jayrow Pilot]

There is a company in Geraldton, Western Australia who has one civilian S-62 machine flying, someone will know their name, I have forgotten.

[spinwing]

Yes there is ...
The Maintenance controller for that Operation is Jim Coyle of "Rotor Care" Essendon Airport, Melbourne Victoria Australia phone contact during Office Hrs .... +61 3 9379 9495.
He will definately be ably to answer all questions about maintainability he's worked on them for 40 odd years .... Ansett Airlines (Australia) used to have one(?) or two 20 odd years ago as well as a couple of 61s which they operated up in Queensland. He certainly knows Sikorskys.
Cheers :ok:

[Nigel Osborn]

I'm fairly sure they're all long gone. But then I thought the 62 had long gone too! The last one I saw was burnt in Bougainville I think. Wish I could get my hands on that one in Geraldton but then I'm slightly uncurrent, about 32 years uncurrent!:ugh:

[rotorwrench]

There are two S-62s currently airworthy on the entire planet, one at Gearldtown Au, the other is in Alaska. There is also an HH-52 in Alaska. No an HH-52 cannot be converted to an S-62. They are essentially the same aircraft, different hydraulic system, electrical system, and, some of the dynamic parts are not interchangeable. The HH-52 was originally designated as the S-62C before the Coast Guard bought it, the Faa will only allow it to be run in the restricted catagorey. Parts are not just difficult to find they are darn near impossible. Nobody overhauls components for them anymore.

[Comd John Frog]

Information on S62/HH52 can be obtained from Comd John Frog.

[Nigel Osborn]

Please do!

[Comd John Frog]

Johannes2, you must know me ?? I own the S62, along with other aviation assets.