The Sikorsky S-61 helicopter stands out as one of the most enduring and reliable heavy-lift helicopters in aviation history. Originally developed in the late 1950s, this twin-engine, medium-lift aircraft was designed to meet both military and civilian operational demands. Today, the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter is widely used across industries for tasks such as HVAC and rooftop unit (RTU) lifts, utility …
Origin of the MD 500 Series In the 1960s, the US Army launched a competition to develop a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Among the competitors was Hughes Tool Company, which won the contract in 1965 with the OH-6. Even before the OH-6 took flight, Hughes announced plans for a civilian version of the aircraft, the MD 500. Marketed as the …
The History of the Huey The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a notorious, multipurpose, utility helicopter. It is most famous for its work during the Vietnam War. Their primary purpose is to transport troops, medical evacuations, aerial attacks, and cargo transport. The Huey is known for being the most widely used helicopter in the world. The most produced variant of the …
Schweizer History In 1955, the Hughes Tool Company designed a prototype of the Model 269. Its first flight took place in October of 1956. Hughes, later known as Hughes Helicopters, introduced a slightly larger version of the 269. This model is marketed as Hughes 300. In 1986, Schweizer purchased all rights to the helicopter. The basic design has remained the …
The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane After such success emanated from the S-60 flying crane, Sikorsky receives approval to proceed with the more powerful S-64. The basic mission of this aircraft was to tackle heavy cargo transport safely, quickly, and efficiently. The first flight of the S-64 took place on May 9th, 1962. The S-64 project was developed during the ‘50s and …
History of the Bell 206 The Bell 206 family is a combination of both single and twin-engined, two-bladed helicopters. Manufactured in Mirabel, Quebec, Bell Helicopters originally developed the aircraft as the YOH-4 for the U.S. Army’s Light Observation Helicopter program. Since it was not selected by the Army, Bell redesigned the airframe and invented the Bell 206A Jet Ranger. The …