1991 Helicopter Operators Directory

The following helicopter operators provide charter services:
AA Company, PO Box 1334 Mt Isa, 4825. (077) 43 8977
Action Helicopters, PO Box 2006 Darwin, 0801. (089) 45 0083
Adelaide Aviation and Heli Services, Parafield Airport, 5106. (08) 258 2588
Advance Helicopters, PO Box 107 Springsure, 4722. (079) 84 1170
Ag-Rotors, Neal Pl Katherine, 0850. (089) 71 0370
Ag-Rotors, Delemere Station, via Darwin, 0822. (089) 75 0738
Air Mt Isa, Mt Isa Airport, 4925. (077) 43 2844
Airtech Helicopters, Adelaide Airport, 5000. (08) 234 4455
Air Wingless, PO Box 1257 Mareeba, 4880. (070) 92 4977
Alice Heli Tours, PO Box 701 Alice Springs, 0871. (089) 52 7051
Anderson Helicopters, 4 Kimberley Crt, Mt Waverley, 3149. (03) 808 5580
ANL Helicopter Charter, Myoora Rd, Terry Hills, 2084. (02) 450 2276
Arrow Air Services, PO Box 2442 Nth Parramatta, 2151. (02) 709 4488
Australian Helicopter Centre, Ross Smith Ave, Mascot, 2020. (02) 317 2626
Australian Helicopter Corporation, PO Box 1413 Mareeba, 4880. (070) 92 4819
Australian Heli-Services, 77a Raglan St, Tamworth, 2340. (067) 66 3191
Bankstown Helicopters, Marion St, Bankstown Airport 2200. (02) 791 0500
Barossa Helicopter Service, Hoffnungstahl Rd, Lyndoch, 5351. (085) 24 4209
BB Helicopters, PO Box 50 Fitzroy Crossing, 6765. (091) 91 5034
Blue Tongue Helicopter Serv, Old Coach Way via Nambour, 4560. (074) 48 8166
Terry Black Helicopters, PO Box 1386 Mareeba, 4880. (070) 92 4081
Blanch’s Helicopters, Kennedy Hwy, Walkamin, 4872. (070) 93 3759
Blue Mts Helicopter Services, Singles Ridge Rd, Yellow Rock, (047) 54 1164
Bristow Helicopters, PO Box 355 Willetton, 6155. (09) 332 7188
Bristow Helicopters, PO Box 109 Karratha, 6714. (091) 85 2022
Bristow Helicopters, Derby Airport, 6728. (091) 91 2133
Cairns Flight line, Cairns Airport Aeroglen, 4870. (070) 35 9002
Canberra Helicopters, PO Box 25 Charnwood, 2165. (06) 248 8055
Cape Helicopter Services, Harvest Home, Mt Mol loy, 4871. (070) 60 2167
Capricorn Helicopters, Hann Hwy Hughendon, 4821. (077) 41 1272
Cent ral Australian Helicopters, Alice Springs Airport, 0871. (089) 52 3977
Central Old Aviation, PO Box 722 Emerald, 4720. (070) 82 3338
Chopperline, Boundry Rd, Eagle Farm, 4007. (07) 868 1110
Chopperline, Palm Meadows Dr, Carrara, 4211. (018) 75 2652
Chopperline, PO Box 351 Caloundra, 4551. (074) 91 8588
Chopperline, 9 Swan St, Mareeba, 4880. (070) 92 3821
Cit y HelicopterTours, World Trade Centre, Melbourne, 3000. (03) 629 5542
Clarke Helicopters, Dakota Dr, Parafield, 5106. (08) 250 3900
Gaffs Harbour Heli Service, Cassandra Cl, Gaffs Harbour, 2450. (066) 52 6332
Corporate Air Canberra, Fairbairn Ave, Fairbairn, 2600. (06) 249 7044
Crane Air, Eleventh St Mascot, 2020. (02) 667 4974
Crumblin Helicopter Service, Miles Rd, Menzies. (077) 43 7503
Darling Downs Helicopters, “Eden” Kapunn, 4405. (076) 63 8199 Devereaux
Helicopter Charter, Newton Rd, Perth Airport, 6005. (09) 277 2352
Diversified Minerals, 80 Seymour Rd, Cloncurry, 4824. (077) 42 1758
Dove Aviation, Oswald Crt, Mildura, 3500. (050) 21 2550
Peter Doyle Helicopters, Turner Orv Caloundra, 4551. (074) 91 3147
Dwyer Aviation Services, Carlisle St Cranbrook, 4814. (077) 79 4662
Executive Air Charter, Bldg T L10 Darwin Airport, 0820. (089) 45 0777
Fitzroy Helicopters, PO Box 159 Derby, 6728. (091) 91 4753
Forest Air Helicopters, 534 Cowper Rd Albury, 2640. (060) 21 8400
Forest Air Helicopters, 5 Lambie Pl Oxley, 2903. (06) 231 5462
Frescote P/L, “Coolibah Station” PMB 185 Katherine, 0852. (089) 75 0764
Great Northern Helicopters, Leichhardt St Bull Ck, 6155. (09) 417 9895
Grif-Air Helicopters, Rasmussen Ave Salonika Bch, 4740. (079) 56 3389
Gulf Helicopters, PO Box 172, Normanton, 4890. (077) 45 1211
Heli-Air Tours, Bankstown Airport, 2200. (02) 796 1244
Heli-Aust, Hanger 271 Bankstown Airport, 2200. (02) 707 4300

The following media organisations operate helicopters:
Amalgamated Television Services, Mobbs Lane Epping, 2121. (02) 858 7777
Austrama TV PO Box 42 Nunawading, 3131. (03) 234 1010
Australian Broadcasting Corp. PO Box 165 Lane Cove, 2066. (02) 437 8000
Australian Broadcasting Corp, Gordon St Elsternwick, 3185. (03) 528 4444
Brisbane Television, GPO Box 604 Brisbane, 4001. (07) 854 1244
TelevisionVictoria, PO Box 464 Ballarat, 3350. (053) 31 3166
General Television, PO Box 100 Richmond, 3121. (03) 429 0201
Network Ten Old, GPO Box 751 Brisbane, 4001. (07) 369 000
NBN, 11 Mosbri Gres Newcastle, 2300. (049) 29 2933
Queensland Television, GPO Box 72 Brisbane, 4001. (07) 369 9999
Radio 2UE, 237 Miller St North Sydney, 2060. (02) 922 9950
T CN Channel 9, PO Box 27 Willoughby, 2068. (02) 430 0444
TVW (Ch 7), PO Box 77 Tuart Hill, 6060. (09) 344 0777
United Telecasters Sydney, GPO Box 10 Sydney, 2001. (02) 887 0222

Rescue and Medivac

Services involved in the rescue and medical evacuation fields include:
Careflight, PO Box 3589 Parramatta, 2124. (02) 633 6495
Childflight, PO Box 89 Camperdown, 2050. (02) 519 0466
Gaffs Harbour Helicopter Serv, Cassandra Cl Gaffs Harbour, 2450. (066) 52 6232
Gold Coast Helicopter Rescue Service, PO Box 118 Nerang, 4211. (075) 58 3400
Helicopter Rescue Service, Lismore Airport, 2480. (066) 21 9301
Hunter Reg SLSA Helicopter Rescue PO Box 20 Broadmeadow 2292. (049) 52 4144
Nth Old Emergency Rescue Group, Townsville Airport, 4810. (077) 75 7711
Old State Emergency Service, Brookes St Fortitude Valley, 4006. (07) 224 8680
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, 2 Boston St Sorrento, 3943. (059) 84 2000
Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Serv Maroochydore A’port 4558. (071) 48 7711
Surf Life Saving Assoc of Aust, T he Grand Pde Brighton Le Sands, 2216.
Sydney SLSA Helicopter Rescue Serv Prince Henry Hospital 2036. (02) 661 4908

Police

Three states now use helicopters as part of their police force:
NSW Air Wing, Bldg 241 Eleventh St Mascot Airport, 2020. (02) 20 966
Victorian Police Force, Hanger 104 Lionel St Essendon, 3041. (03) 379 7347
WA Police Emergency Heli Serv, 2 Swan Bank Rd Maylands 6051. (09) 417 3693

Government and Semi-government

Electricity Commission of NSW, PO Box 168 St Peters, 2044.
Forestry Commission of NSW, GPO Box 2667 Sydney, 2001. (02) 774 9111
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Tower Rd Bankstown Airport, 2200.
NSW Pipeline Authority, PO Box 495 Young, 2594.
Roads and Traffic Authority NSW, PO Box K198 Haymarket, 2000.
Queensland State Emergency Service, Brookes St Fortitude Valley, 4006.

Military

The Australian Army has operated the Kiowa (Bell 206) since 1972, and of the original 56 assembled and/or built under licence by the then Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation 46 are still in service. The Army has acquired 25 ex-RAAF Iroquois, some of which are based with the 5th Aviation Regiment at Townsville, and four have been seconded to the PNG Defence Force. Also based at Townsville are 39 Sikorsky s-70 Black Hawks.

Eighteen Aerospatiale Squirrels are used to train Army and Navy pilots at the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School presently based at Fairbairn, Canberra, and 11 47C model Chinooks, also ex-RAAF, are in still storage at Amberley with the planned for “revenue neutral” swap with the US Army expected soon which will see four or five returned to Australia as upgraded “D” models. The Royal Australian Navy operates six Aerospatiale Squirrels, three Bell Kiowas (on loan from the Army), seven Westland Sea Kings and 16 Sikorsky S-70B Seahawks which performed very well in the Gulf War, mainly as surveillance and “over the horizon” target designators for the shipboard Harpoons.

Aerospatiale SA330 Puma and SA332 Super Puma (France)

A large helicopter by any standards, seating 16 passengers, the Puma was designed to meet a military requirement for a twin engine, medium lift helicopter. The prototype first flew in 1965 and the two Pumas on the Australian register are equipped with two 1,575shp Turbomeca Turmo IVG turboshaft engines. Although the SA332 Super Puma has been in production since 1978 it wasn’t until July of this year that one was imported from England. It joins the two Pumas operated by Bristow Helicopters of Western Australia which are primarily used for offshore oil rig support. The Super Puma is equipped with two 1,788shp Makile 1A engines and can seat up to 21 people. Number of Pumas registered at 15.7.91: 2 VH-WOD WOE Number of Super Pumas registered at 15.7.91: 1 VH-BHX

Aerospatiale SA341 Gazelle (France)

The Gazelle was developed primarily for the French military services and the prototype first flew in 1967. Since then it has sold very successfully on the world market both in its civil and military roles. Power is provided by a 590shp Turbomeca Astazou IVA engine and thishelicoptercan seat five. Whereas the two previous Gazelles operated in Australia were used by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife service, GKK is privately owned by a Mr Green of Sydney. Number registered at 15.7.91: 1 VH-GKK

Aerospatiale AS350 Ecureuil (France)

More commonly known in Australia as the Squirrel, this 5 seat general purpose helicopter first flew in 1974. All helicopters of this type in Australia, with two exceptions, are 350B models equipped with the 641 Turbomeca Arriel engine. JRD and NBN are 350D models, powered by a 592shp Avco Lycoming engine. The RAN has operated its six Squirrels (serial numbers N22-013 to 018) since 1984 in utility, training and survey roles, whilst the Army acquired the 18 ex-RAAF machines which are based at the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School, presently at Fairbairn, Canberra. Number registered at 15.7.91: 23 VH-AFO BLA CPA HOO HRF HRR HRS HTV HVT JRD NBN NFO PTH RTV SES SGK SRB SUF TQY TVG XMR

Aerospatiale as355f Twinsquirrel (France)

The Twin Squirrel first appeared in 1979 and is a development of the AS350 Squirrel and is basically the same helicopter but fitted with two 425shp Allison 250 turboshafts. The Twin Squirrel is popular with the Australian Police Forces, with one each currently being used by the West Australian Police Force (NJL ) and the NSW Police Force (PHM). A third, PVM, was until recently operated by the Victorian Police until it crashed near Benalla Vic in July of this year. Number registered at 15.7.91: 10 VH-HJK HPB HRA HSG HWA NJL NTV NWA PHM XTV

Aerospatiale SA365 Dauphin 2 (France)

First flying in 1975, the Dauphin was Aerospatiale’s first entry into the twin engine executive helicopter market and is equipped with two 641 Turbomeca Arriel turboshafts. There are currently seven in Australia, three are operated by the Victorian Police Force, and the others are in the medivac/rescue fields. Number registered at 15.7.91: 7 VH-HCF HRM LSL LSR PVA PVF PVK

AGUSTA A109 (Italy)

The Agusta A109 is a high performance twin engine helicopter designed specifically for the civil market and the prototype first flew in 1971. The first of its type in Australia, MOB, was registered in 1983 by Mimair of Queensland. The A109 Mk11 is powered by two 420shp Allison 250 turboshafts and can seat up to eight passengers. Number registered at 15.7.91: 8 VH-AUG JVH LHJ LUI MOB NEC NWD TMA

BELL 47 (USA)

The Bell 47 series was one of the most successful helicopters ever designed and, over the years, has been produced in vast numbers in a variety of versions to meet the requirements of civil and military operators. One of the stars of the television series, MASH, the Bell 47 first appeared in 1945 and was used extensively by the Australian Army between 1961 and 1977, when they were replaced by the Bell 206 Kiowa. The oldest helicopter on the Australian register is Bell 47 KHJ, number 478, which rolled off the production line in 1952.

The basic model, the 47G, is a three seater with a bubble cockpit, whilst a later development, the 4 7 J Ranger, is a four seater with enclosed tail boom and cabin, first flown in 1954 and powered by a 305hp Lycoming engine. There are five 47Js in the country-JAV, KHX, KHZ, NHR and THH.

The Bell 47 was also manufactured under licence by Agusta in Italy, Westland in Great Britain and Kawasaki in Japan, with MOU being the sole Agusta built machine in Australia, HMK the only Westland built representative on the register whilst 26 Kawasaki built aircraft operate locally. The 4 7 series is popular for cattle mustering and pilot training.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 94 VH-AAU AEO AET AEG ANG BHM BHR CSE CSI CSJ CSM CSW DUS FJP FUW HBY HFV HGM HHB HLG HMI HMJ HMK HSA JAJ JAV JCN JGF JHM JKO JKR JKV JKW JKX JLB JRF JWA JWB JWC JWJ JWQ JWZ JWI KEB KHJ KHK KHM KHO KHU KHZ KHY KHZ KIO KIU KSJ KSM KSO KSU LOP LOO LEF LEH LFK LFL MOU MZU NAG NHR NKE NXB OCT ORB ORC ORM OUT PSH RFE RFY SJI SKU SJA SRO sue sxo THH TZW UAF UHA UTQ UTY WHF WHS WHX ZED

Bell Uh-1H Iroquois(USA)

Designed as a medium lift transport helicopter for the US Army, the Iroquois first flew in 1958. After 28 years service with the RAAF, responsibility for the machines was transferred to the Army in 1989 where they are currently used for utility and training work.

Apart from the 21 Iroquois presently in operation with the Army there is one on the civil register – UHE, which was used as a developmental test bed for upgrading the Iroquois until the project was abandoned by BH Pacific when little interest was shown by the Australian Army.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 1 VH-UHE

Bell 206 Jetranger and Longranger (USA)

The prototype of the Jetranger first flew in January 1966 and deliveries began at the end of that year. The 206B is powered by a single 420shp Allison 250 turboshaft engine and seats five. The military version, the Kiowa, was built locally, under licence, by the then Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation for the Australian Army and the RAN.

Forty-three are presently operated by the Army and three by the RAN.

The Agusta Company has also built many under licence, four of which are registered in Australia-BEQ, BHI, BHL and LEG.

The NSW Police Department have three-PHW, PHY and PHX. Dick Smith conducted the first around the world solo helicopter flight in 206B DIK between August 1982 and July 1983, and in April of 1987, again in DIK, he made the first solo helicopter flight to the North Pole.

A stretched version, known as the 206L Longranger, first flew in 1974 and can seat seven instead of the usual five. The 206L is powered by a 420shp Allison 250 turboshaft and has a greater range than the Jetranger.

Number of Jetrangers registered at 15. 7. 91: 104 VH-AAL AFV AGL AHL AJI AJU ALV AND ANL ATS AZD AZH BEQ BHI BHL BHS BHU BHY BJG BKG BLJ BLN BLO BLP BLR BPB BTV CBI COW CWO DIB DIK EPQ FHA FHF FHV FHW FHX FHY FHZ FJC FJE FUB FUX FVF GEO HFF HHH HKB HPO HRB HRE HST HWS HZO JBQ JHN JRE JMN JRO JSM JVW JWE JWN JWM KHR KKY LAL LEG LHA MIS MXW NIM NVH 0KB PCR PGI PHA PHW PHY PHX PHZ PMO PMR RLV RMJ SAi SBC SEE SRN SWH SWI TFH TMR UBH UEE UOD UOR UPT UTS WCF WNA WOK YDA Number of Longrangers registered at 15. 7. 91: 22 VH-BHF BJX BKU CKI ECT FTV HHS HJL HJK HJQ HOY JOW LHP LHX LIA LIN LKU LTH MQA SCV SHH UTL

BELL MODEL 212(USA)

Basically a development of the Iroquois, the Bell 212 is a twin engined machine which was first certified in 1970. The Pratt and Whitney PT6T-3B engines were designed especially for this model and drive the two bladed rotor through a common gearbox.

The Civil Aviation Authority requires twin engine capability for all overwater operations and therefore the 212 is used extensively in oil rig suppor t by such companies as Bristow, Lloyd and the Esso group.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 11 VH-BEE BEL BEU BEY EMJ EMK HVX LAM NSA NSU NSY

BELL MODEL 214ST(USA)

The 214ST was initially developed as a military transport helicopter for production and service in Iran, with the prototype first flying in 1977. Originally the initials “ST” were to describe the 212 as a “Stretched Twin”, but the Bell company have now changed this to “Super Transport”.

The 214ST is equipped with two 1,625shp General Electric CT7-2A turboshafts connected to a combining gearbox and can carry up to 18 passengers.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 3 VH-HOQ LAT LHQ

BELL MODEL 222(USA)

The prototype of the 222 first flew in 1976 and was the first twin engined light commercial helicopter to be built in the USA. The sole representative of its type in Australia is a utility version operated by Helijet of Queensland. The 222U is powered by two 684shp Avco Lycoming LTS 101-750C-1 turboshafts and can carry up to seven passengers.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 1 VH-ZHJ

BELL MODEL 412(USA)

The Bell 412 stems from the long line of developments -:Vhich com­ _ menced with the Iroquois, and is basically a Model 212 fitted with a four-bladerotor. The 412 is powered by an 1800shp Pratt and Whitney pT6T turboshaft and can carry up to 15 passengers. The first few were imported for oil rig work, but it can also be used for rescue and rnedivac operations, such as NSB, operated by the Queensland Bureau of Emergency Services.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 9 VH-BZH EEH EEP LHO NSB NSC NSP NSV UAH

ENSTROM F28andF280(USA)

The Enstrom Company was formed in 1959 to develop and produce a small helicopter for commercial and private use. The first F28 flew in 1963 with production of that model ceasing in 1978, to be replaced by turbocharged versions, the 28C and 280C. Current production models are the F28F Falcon and 280F Shark, which are equipped with 225hp Avco Lycoming HI0-360-F1AD engines.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 5 VH-FSE FSP IPE IYR JAX

HILLER UH-12(USA)

The Hiller UH-12 series first appeared in the late 1940s and was a competitor of the Bell 4 7 series. Two basic models are supplied – the UH-12E which is a three seater and the UH-12E4 which has a larger cabin and seats four. In 1970 a subsidiary of Fairchild Industries purchased production rights to the 12E which comes with either a petrol driven 323hp Lycoming engine or an Allison 250 turbine.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 22 VH-CCU CCV ECK ECO FBE FBH FBQ FBV FBX FFT FFV FFX FOR FXX HJW HMT KAU LMA MJV MKZ PYH UHB

HUGHES 300(MODEL 269)(USA)

The Hughes 300 series has been very popular amongst operators who require a light reliable helicopter and it has sold well in Australia over the years. Originally designed as a training helicopter for the US Army it has been in production since 1961. The Hughes 300 is popular in Australia for cattle mustering, agricultural work and pilc’c training.

The 300C, produced by the Schweizer Company since July 1983 is the most popular of the three 300 models currently in use here. It is powered by a 190shp Avco Lycoming HI0-360-D1A engine.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 65 VH-ACD AHO AJC APO AUQ BBS BCB CHM CHV FHJ HAK HEA HFC HJD HOB HOR HUP IHD IHV IHW JBU JMY JPTJWK KHO KKC KKG KKJ LBP LBQ LLZ MAY MHJ MHM MOF MOI MZR NCL NHM OBK PHN PHT PHU PKK PSK RIK SMQ SWQ TES THE THM THN THO THR THU THV THY UFX UOS UTT WPP WZH XBN XXM YEN

HUGHES 500(MODEL 369)(USA)

Designed to meet a US Army requirement for a light observation helicopter, the prototype first flew in 1963. The Hughes 500 is a high performance single engine machine powered by an Alliso _ n 250 turboshaft, available in three versions, the basic model seating seven, the five seat executive and a utility model.

As with the Bell company, Hughes allowed the Kawasaki Company to build, under licence, some of its machines, three of which have recently been imported into this country, but so far only one has appeared on the register -BSQ, operated by Mr Robertson of Paddington, Old.

In 1984 McDonnell Douglas took over production and development of the 5000 series resulting in the MD500E. The SOOE is a longer, sleeker version of the D and both models have five bladed rotors and T-tails. There are four MD500Es on the Australian register-JHE, HWL, HXF and FTS, and all are powered by an Allison 250-C20B engine.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 21 VH-AJZ BAD BAG BSQ FTS HRK HUE HWL HXF JDM JHE LLC LYM NOC PHL PPD RMS SWC WOR XAX XTX

MBB – 80105(WEST GERMANY)

Built by the Messerschimdt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH aerospace company and first flying in February 1967, the Bo105 is a twin engine light utility helicopter seating five to six passengers and equipped with two Allison 250 turboshafts. The Bolkow is used extensively in the medivac field with BKZ operated by Child Flight for the Childrens Hospital at Camperdown, NSW.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 1 VH-BKZ

PHILLIPS VTOL PHILICOPTER(AUST)

The Philicopter was designed by D Phillips and P Gerakiteys of Newcastle NSW, and is to be marketed as an alternative to the Robinson series of helicopters.

The sole Philicopter on the register is the prototype which is powered by a 145hp Rolls Royce Continental engine, however the production models will probably be equipped with a 180hp Lycoming engine. Constructed with a tubular steel skeletal framework clad with aluminium and fibreglass and with a perspex bubble it looks somewhat akin to the Hughes 300. It is hoped that production will commence early next year, at a rate of one per month.

Number registered at 15. 7 91: 1 VH-DXV

ROBINSON R22(USA)

The lightest and cheapest massed produced helicopter, the prototype first flew in 1975, but it wasn’t until 1981 that an exampl was imported into Australia. The R22 is Australia’s most popular helicopter. There have been three models – the original R22, R22 Alpha and the R22 Beta which has been the production model since 1985. The Mariner is the amphibious version of the Beta with three registered in Australia-COS, HII and HXW. Seating two and powered by a 150hp Avco Lycoming engine it is popular for pilot training and cattle mustering.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 205 VH-ADC AHJ BCR BOE COO CIU COS DBQ ECP EFK EWQ FFB FHD FHE FHK FOT EWK HAP HAS HAU HBC HBE HBG HBF HBH HBK HBL HBN HBO HBO HBR HBT HBU HBV HBW HBZ HCL HCX HEB HEE HEF HEG HEM HEU HEW HFO HFP HHF HIG HII HIJ HIM HIW HLA HLC HU HLJ HLK HMJ HMR HMY HPR HPV HQX HRO HRU HRW HRY HSC HTAHTE HTF HXW HYZ HZB HZP IBE IOT IXM IXN IXR IXS JOB JFG JHC JIU JKG JKH JKI JKJ JKK JKL JKM JKN JKQJKS JNAJNH JNK JNL JNM JNN JNO JNP JNQ JNT JOT JQZ JTG JTH JUI JUQ JVI JVJ JXU JXT JXV JZD JZF JZG JZH JZO JZP JZQ JZR JZS JZT JVB JVC JWG JWT JWL JWV KHB KHI KHV KEE KIS KMS KSI KSY LCH LCR LOE LER LFG LFN LKK LKL LKO LLE LLF LLK LLQ LKS LOA LOJ LOK LOH LON LOP LOS LOT LOX LPU LSW LUM NOT NGU NOC NOT NRJ NWJ ONE PYG RBO RJN SRP TFY TGS THI THP UXA UXB UXD UXF UXH UXJ UXL UXM UXN UXQ UXR UXT UXU UXV UXW WKF XIA XKS XOX XVC XZT YYM ZRT SIKORSKY S-55(USA) The prototype of the Sikorsky S-55 first flew in 1949, but it wasn’t until June of 1985 when two were imported from America that Australia saw this 12 seat general purpose helicopter in action. The standard S-55 is powered by a 550hp Pratt and Whitney R1340 engine.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 1 VH-ORA

SIKORSKY S-70 BLACK HAWKandSEAHAWK(USA)

Designed to replace the US Army’s Iroquois, the S-70A-9 Blackhawk first flew in 1974. It can carry all elements of a 10 man infantry squad, and is equipped with two General Electric T?OOA-1 turboshafts. Thirty-nine are now in service with the Australian Army and are based at Townsville with the 5th Aviation Regiment. All but the first were assembled by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown, NSW.

The S-70B-2 Seahawk is similar to the Blackhawk but with changes to provide shipboard compatatability. Sixteen are now in service with the RAN, operating from the FFG-7 class guided missile frigates. In addition to the ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) role the helicopter is configured for surface surveillance and targeting tasks. Aerospace Technologies were responsible for the local production of eight of the helicopters.

SIKORSKY S-76(USA)

The S-76 was designed to satisfy three markets – offshore oil rig support, executive transport and general utility operations, it can seat up to 14 and is powered by two 650shp Allison 250-C3 turboshafts. Essa Australia and Lloyd Helicopters each operate six for offshore oil and gas rig support, whilst several are used in VIP configuration for executive transport.

Number registered at 15. 7. 91: 16 VH-CPH CPO ECR ECS EML EMN EMM EMX HRP HRQ HUB HUG JXL XHA XHB XUX

WESTLAND SEA KING(UK)

A large aircraft, being basically designed around the Sikorsky S-61 it first flew in 1969, and has been in operation with t’ie RAN since 1974.

The RAN operate only seven of the original 12, which are based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra. The Sea King Mk 50 is powered by two 1500shp Rolls Royce Gnome H1400 turboshafts.