Life in the old girl yet? (S61 merged threads)
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It is a classical helicopter. Can an S61 pilot tell me why it is required for one of the pilots to hold the power controls during take off and landing?
Are there any other strange things that S61 pilots must do to keep this machine flying?
YBB
Are there any other strange things that S61 pilots must do to keep this machine flying?
YBB
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Thanks outwest.
Canadian historical register shows this as 61-823 , deleted from register by Canadian in 2003.Owned by Okanagan , Universal , Associated and Canadian.
Any one know of a later serial number ?.
After Review of US reg I think this is the last few
61-822 1987 HM Coastguard G-BPWB : ex EI-BHO, then G-BPWB, EI-BHO, to G-BPWB. Owned and maintained by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguard. In 2003 was based at Portland. Carries the name 'Portland Castle'.
61-823 Okanagan C-GSAB
61-824 Carson N408SC
61-826 siller N15456
61-827 Croman N616CK
If any one is interested I have updated the database I referenced earlier with info from Canadian and US current registrations , PM me if you would like a copy in Excel it covers over half the serial numbers.
Canadian historical register shows this as 61-823 , deleted from register by Canadian in 2003.Owned by Okanagan , Universal , Associated and Canadian.
Any one know of a later serial number ?.
After Review of US reg I think this is the last few
61-822 1987 HM Coastguard G-BPWB : ex EI-BHO, then G-BPWB, EI-BHO, to G-BPWB. Owned and maintained by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguard. In 2003 was based at Portland. Carries the name 'Portland Castle'.
61-823 Okanagan C-GSAB
61-824 Carson N408SC
61-826 siller N15456
61-827 Croman N616CK
If any one is interested I have updated the database I referenced earlier with info from Canadian and US current registrations , PM me if you would like a copy in Excel it covers over half the serial numbers.
Last edited by widgeon; 7th Oct 2010 at 17:57.
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I was about to say that I understood EI-BLY, ex Irish Helicopters was the last off the production line, but it may well be their ex sister ship EIBHO and its my memory that is fading.I do remember being told that one of those two was the last production aircraft that I believe came off the line in 1979?
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Y and B,
Because they are hanging on to the crucifix that hangs up in the quadrant and willing it the beast to fly.
Really though because the Nr has to be adjusted manually with ssl's during take off and landing.
Other strange things are:
Entering the 61 from the back steps and walking 1.5 km to the cockpit, hanging your jacket in the wardrobe behind the seat, bleeding the engine during start from a little button on the cyclic that didn't always work (which caused considerable excitement), being able to smoke a cigarette out of view of all the passengers and blow the smoke discretely out of the huge sliding side window and nub it in the same place, turning the ferocious fuel burning heater on in the summer to annoy anyone on board that you didn't like, checking the gear was up by looking out of the window.....the list goes on.
A beautiful machine that I was privileged to spend some time in.
Because they are hanging on to the crucifix that hangs up in the quadrant and willing it the beast to fly.
Really though because the Nr has to be adjusted manually with ssl's during take off and landing.
Other strange things are:
Entering the 61 from the back steps and walking 1.5 km to the cockpit, hanging your jacket in the wardrobe behind the seat, bleeding the engine during start from a little button on the cyclic that didn't always work (which caused considerable excitement), being able to smoke a cigarette out of view of all the passengers and blow the smoke discretely out of the huge sliding side window and nub it in the same place, turning the ferocious fuel burning heater on in the summer to annoy anyone on board that you didn't like, checking the gear was up by looking out of the window.....the list goes on.
A beautiful machine that I was privileged to spend some time in.
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... being able to smoke a cigarette out of view of all the passengers and blow the smoke discretely out of the huge sliding side window and nub it in the same place,
HM
I think I flew ROL in Baku in 2000 or so. Not sure where it went after that. I was told C-GSAB (or perhaps C-FOKP - burnt up in a mishap in the states) was one of the last off the production line.
Chief Bottle Washer
Or for the non smokers among us: being able to smell the matches from the back row of the cabin before they were used, and thus amazing the pax by getting on the PA and reminding them it was a non smoking flight, before the match was struck 
Plenty of room to stow the lunches provided by the NS platforms, too
Plenty of room to stow the lunches provided by the NS platforms, too
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I think I flew ROL in Baku in 2000 or so. Not sure where it went after that. I was told C-GSAB (or perhaps C-FOKP - burnt up in a mishap in the states) was one of the last off the production line.
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S61T
While we've managed to establish that the State Dept. has signed an order earlier this year for 100+ S61T's in an IDIQ for Afghanistan - there remains uncertainty as to how this production is being run.
I've got members of the Coulson family saying they're involved in supplying blades - others saying its a JV with Carson (see below) and still others who describe the 'T' model as a special order production and not the re-introduction of the 61 into production (which is understandable).
Taken from a US helo formum (but not quite as well managed as PPRuNe):
The official press release from Sikorsky is here: U.S. State Department Orders 11 More Upgraded S-61? Helicopters for Use in Iraq & Afghanistan and btw, you should take a look at their new home page with fancy music and introductions by Sikorsky staff: Home
Would be good to receive some 'on the ground' info about this op (supposedly run by DynCorp). Any news about the 'T' in Afghanistan would be appreciated and the projected timeline as to when they expect to phase in the balance of 90 units.
Am thinking of putting my son 'Hell Boy' in for a season on this job!
HM
Additional view of the new S61:
While we've managed to establish that the State Dept. has signed an order earlier this year for 100+ S61T's in an IDIQ for Afghanistan - there remains uncertainty as to how this production is being run.
I've got members of the Coulson family saying they're involved in supplying blades - others saying its a JV with Carson (see below) and still others who describe the 'T' model as a special order production and not the re-introduction of the 61 into production (which is understandable).
Taken from a US helo formum (but not quite as well managed as PPRuNe)
:
You are obviously uninformed. Carson had their new S61T on display at the Sea King symposium a couple of weeks ago with much interest and possible orders. Carson and Sikorsky have teamed up to produce the upgraded S61T, which will basically come out of the factory as a new S61, with all the upgrades in horsepower, avionics, etc. I think I heard they have at least 12 orders in progress right now. I suspect some of these are for the state department and will go to Afghanistan.
Would be good to receive some 'on the ground' info about this op (supposedly run by DynCorp). Any news about the 'T' in Afghanistan would be appreciated and the projected timeline as to when they expect to phase in the balance of 90 units.
Am thinking of putting my son 'Hell Boy' in for a season on this job!
HM
Additional view of the new S61:
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Outwest,
I think OKB (61266) was the Mark 1.5
OKP was quite a bit newer.
The FAA TC data sheet explains the S/N spilts.
Should n't you be busy flying C and A anyways???
I think OKB (61266) was the Mark 1.5
OKP was quite a bit newer.
The FAA TC data sheet explains the S/N spilts.
Should n't you be busy flying C and A anyways???
Yes, still on C and A for a few more months.....wishing I was on T & A though
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New S-61T Helos for the US State Department
This article give a bit more meat to the story , currently there are about 11 S-61 registered to a blackwater company ( EP aviation ), not known if these are currently in service or undergoing the upgrade . Would the transmission take the extra power from a T58-16 ?.
This article give a bit more meat to the story , currently there are about 11 S-61 registered to a blackwater company ( EP aviation ), not known if these are currently in service or undergoing the upgrade . Would the transmission take the extra power from a T58-16 ?.
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Would the transmission take the extra power from a T58-16 ?.
So are all S61T's shorts? All the pics I have seen are of H3 (Sea King) airframes.
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Widgeon thanks for this, I've actually come to discover that the S61T is a JV between Sikorsky and Carsons and am gonna be contacting the latter this week to pull up some more info.
Originally it was stated that DynCorp were running this op in Afghanistan but now there is mention of Blackwater - have strong connections with DC but not with BW!
Re: fuse length - all the photos so far are showing the short fuse but I think that both long and short are being produced.
Hope to have some solid info on the entire program this week.
HM
Originally it was stated that DynCorp were running this op in Afghanistan but now there is mention of Blackwater - have strong connections with DC but not with BW!
Re: fuse length - all the photos so far are showing the short fuse but I think that both long and short are being produced.
Hope to have some solid info on the entire program this week.
HM