BedakSrewet

I understand that x years ago, major S61 operators were already considering to re-engine with the Turbomeca Makila engine however, this potential major improvement in power had to be abandonded when the operators committee discovered that the Makila turns the other way around * ) as compared to the CT58.....

True or False ?

* ) Likewise the British made piston engines -such as the Gypsy Major / Queen - turns counter clockwise ( viewed from the rear ) while the US made Lycoming and Continental engines turn clockwise.

Vive la difference......

Fareastdriver

False. Not that it makes much difference with a free turbine as the engine is not directly connected to the power turbine that drives the transmission.
British and American piston engines both turn the same way. It depends on how you define the front. America considers that the back of the engine is where the clutch/gearbox/propellor are mounted so the front ends up on the pilot's lap. On a multi-row USA radial No 1 cylinder is nearest the bulkhead. The British regard the front of the engine as being the first bit to arrive at the scene of the crash so No1 cylinder is the first row in the draught. It must have been interesting sorting out the Whirlwind with Wrights or Alvis.

victor papa

As far as I know it is true that the Makila was considered for the 61 in the eighties I believe. The problem however was the gearbox's ability to cope with the drastic increase in power of the makila. We had a incident on a 61 were it landed short and sustained some damage after an engine failure. The incorrect engine was pulled to gnd and when it was pushed forward to regain at least 1 engine, the freewheel unit failed under the load so she ended with a engine failure and a dead freewheel. As is, I doubt whether the gearbox will survive long with a Makila driving it. From what I understood it was abandoned due to the cost involved in redesigning and manufacturing a new gearbox. It does bring the previous 92 gearbox isues to the fore.

I guess with the Makila's and a improoved gearbox, one will have to reevaluate the tail rotor's capability to counter the increased torque? Then the hydraulics and, and , and hence we have the 92 I guess?

3D CAM

Phil.
Great pictures of "Limping Charlie", keep them coming. Look after the old girls, they've had a hard life.
Sumburgh seems such a long time ago!
3D

500 Fan

Here are a few photos of EI-SAR taken on the 9th of November. She was doing some winch training with the Galway Bay Inshore Lifeboat. Apologies for the last photo. I hit the wrong button and it came out in B&W.

EI-SAR is unique in that it is the only Japanese-built S-61N in the world. Capt. Derek Nequest reckoned it was the "best-built -61 in the world"! Apparently Mitsubishi were going to set up an S-61N production line for the Asian market. This helicopter was built as a demonstrator in anticipation of a healthy demand. The orders were not forthcoming and this was the only one built by Mitsubishi in the end.

The CHC S-61N fleet underwent an upgrade in the last few years in line with the demands of a renewed contract with the Irish Coastguard. As well as a new paint job, various improvements have been made to the machines, including the addition of a second, back-up, winch. If you look closely you can see it clamped onto the body of the original winch. This is the first Irish S-61N I have seen with this fit.

500 Fan.

Phil Kemp

On the build side now! I can see a whole bunch of jobs that have become infinitely more accessible in the current configuration.

per ulv

What is the serialnumber? 61746?

500 Fan

The C/N for EI-SAR is 61143. Mitsubishi gave it the C/N of M61-001.

500 Fan.

rotorhead350

ahhhhhhh, good to see Ray Mymryk is still working his magic. How long's he been there Phil? last i saw him he was still with VIH.............

per ulv

143 was the first 61N - rebuilt from a 61L. It is 1962 vintage if I remember correctly.

Tail-take-off

from GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Safety Regulation

The manufacturer is clearly stated as SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT not Mitsubishi. It also has the lowest serial number of any S61 that has been on the UK register the next is 61220 (G-ASNL) built 1963.

Hope this helps

heli1

I suspect the confusion over 61143 arises from the fact that it was initially sent to Japan as a demonstrator etc and registered JA9506 before changing owners .

Phil Kemp

61143 was definitely built by Mitsubishi as part of a grander agreement that never materialised. She was issued both a Sikorsky and Mitsubishi serial number, and continues to operate under the Sikorsky S/No.

The oldest commercial S61 is 61032 operated by VIH. She was the certification prototype and is still flying - currently in Angola.

NorthSeaTiger

Is the 61 that turned over on the Pan-Am building still flying ? And what 61 has the highest hours ? G-INFO states that that G-BEIC had 43,000 hrs in 2000 !! Is she still flying ?

NST

bb in ca

I'm pretty sure G-BEIC was serial number 61222 and it's still flying the Vancouver Victoria scheduled run for Helijet although owned by Coulson. I was with it when it broke 46,000 hours (i think) 1 1/2 years ago.

Sailor Vee

It was initially sent over 'in bits' and was 'rebuilt' in Japan using a jig from Sikorsky, it ended up as being .5 of a centimeter longer than a 'standard' 61!. If you'd ever talked to an Irish SAR driver it was generally not liked as it used about 3 to 4 % more torque for any flight profile than any of the others, (and has still got the Mk 1 speed selects, I still have the indents on my thumbs to prove that!).

I guess that EI-GCE was across in Norway for the mods as SAR will be the 'spare' 501 machine, and would not normally be based in Shannon.

Decks

How's it going bud....? Online in NN with Rubbertoe at the mo and EISAR is just fine and we have the stigmata to prove it!!! 20.6 hrs ops in the last week.... you're sorely missed!!!
How are the sandcastles in the sky...??? Hi to G.

Phil Kemp

I had meant to post some updated pictures before Christmas, when the skins were back on - but my schedule intruded on many things I had planned on doing. So here's the latest pictures, and first flight is scheduled for Tuesday!



New skins in the final stage of installation.



New size!




Back together again, back from paint and ready to fly.



Final completion.



No cargo door!



Finished project.



Lots in the hangar right now. A-star rebuilds, 412's and more S61's!



Ready to fly - Tuesday is it!

Had great fun at the HAI, working with Carson to demonstrate the upgraded S61. Nice to see all the identifiable PPRuNers that were there, plus all the subversive, secretive members as well!

zalt

Copter bases may go in rescue plan

By Don Lavery


Irish Independent, Sunday March 01 2009

Some of the four helicopter rescue bases used by the Irish Coast Guard could be closed, or relocated, under a €200m plan being considered by the Department of Transport.

The department currently uses helicopter firm CHC Ireland to provide 24/7 search and rescue (SAR) services at Dublin, Shannon, Waterford, and Sligo, where giant Sikorsky S-61N helicopters are each capable of rescuing up to 15 survivors 200 miles off our coast.

But in a 10-year strategy, the department is seeking a new SAR supplier for the decade from 2012 up until 2022.

Tender documents show that the Coast Guard is seeking a successor contract, to include aircrew, maintenance personnel and support services and facilities to provide a broadly similar level of service.

However, it adds that this "may involve a change of current bases, availability or number of aircraft, using more modern helicopters with a national search and rescue role".

This is understood to be a reference to the new breed of fast and more capable helicopters now being used for search and rescue, compared to the S-61 currently in use, whose design dates back 50 years.

Civil contractors in the UK are now using ultra-modern helicopters such as the Sikorsky S-92.

A department spokeswoman said no definite decision had been made on changing or reducing the number of bases being used by the service, and this could depend on what response the tenders brought in.

The SAR service that is operated by the department costs around €25m a year, with a recent three-year contract for CHC Ireland reckoned to be worth €53m to the company.

- Don Lavery

[email protected]

Interesting that the contract runs from 2012, just like the UK one! Some economies of scale available here, surely.