Helipro, the Washington-based conversion specialist, says that its S-61 Short conversion of the Sikorsky S-61L and N, the "Shortsky," is in heavy demand.
"From the heavylift side we have been non-stop," says Helipro president and technical director Hugh Whitfield. Six S-61 Shorts have been completed since the conversion was announced at Heli-Expo 96. The six have been delivered to four Canadian customers. "We've been pushing it for the offshore market and hope to get new work for that, maybe by July," he adds.
Prospective new customers include Malaysian Helicopters and Norwegian-based Helikopter Service. Whitfield says that Helikopter Service may evaluate a machine on shorter-haul onshore routes and decide if it is suitable for offshore work. He adds that this would be for use off the coast of Brazil, rather than the North Sea. The conversion involves the removal of a 1.27m plug from the forward fuselage behind the cockpit, ahead of the engine intakes. The reduction in structural weight increases maximum lifting capacity by more than 450kg, to 4,990kg.
Part of the plan for winning the new oil-rig support business includes developing an aft door which is suitable for operation with a winch, and provision of underfloor baggage bins which can be certificated for water landings. "We're looking for Federal Aviation Administration approval by June," says Whitfield.
The conversion line is booked for the rest of the year, with six confirmed logging orders.
Source: Flight International
