I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Type 1 helicopters: Sikorsky S-61
The Sikorsky S-61 is the civilian version of the SH-3 sea king. The first operator of the S-61 was Los Angeles Airways, using them for passenger service starting on March 1, 1962. Passenger capacity is up to 30 passengers depending on the variant (there are six variants).
Some nice pictures and a video of the S-61 may be found here
Specifications for the S-61 (Frawley, Gerard: The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, page 194. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003 cited by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-61)
Typical Specifications (exact specifications depend on the variant)
Crew: 2 pilots
Capacity: up to 30 passengers
Length: 58 ft 11 in (17.96 m)
Rotor diameter: 62 ft (18.9 m)
Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.32 m)
Disc area: 3,019 ft² (280.6 m²)
Empty weight: 12,336 lb (5,595 kg)
Loaded weight: lb (kg)
Maximum takeoff weight: 19,000 lb (8,620 kg)
Powerplant: 2× General Electric CT58-140 turboshafts, 1,500 shp (1,120 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed:166 mph (267 km/h)
Cruise speed: 120 kn (222 km/h)
Range: 450 NM (833 km)
Service ceiling: 12,500 ft.
Rate of climb: 1,310-2,220 ft/min (400-670 m/min)
Croman Corporation has S-61's with 1,000 gallon fixed tanks used for firefighting operations. Croman has a page with pictures and videos of their firefighting S-61's.
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