The Sikorsky S-61N is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter with a sealed hull for amphibious operations
that can accommodate a basic crew of two and up to 26 passengers. The Sikorsky S61N is based on the military
SH-3A/S61B Sea King series originally developed in the late 1950s for all-weather operations. The Sikorsky S-61B
prototype flew on 11 March 1959 and the type entered service with the U.S. Navy as the SH-3A Sea King in
1962. On 7 August 1962, the identical Sikorsky S-61N was flown first and the S-61N entered
production the same year. Production ended in 1979.
Helicsa Helicópteros SA registered the 1975-built Sikorsky S-61N s/n 61741 as EC-FTB in Spain on 13 August
1993. The helicopter was registered before as LN-OSY, OY-HDS, LN-OSY and EC-429. Helisca operates the EC-FTB
as a SAR-helicopter along the Spanish Mediterranean Sea on behalf of the Sociedad Estadal de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima.
Maintenance of the Helicsa S-61N's is done by Heli-One, Stavanger. On 11 March 2006, Sikorsky S-61N Mk.II EC-FTB of Helicsa was
photographed at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands. The Spanish helicopter made a fuelstop on its way from Norway to Spain.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
