Irish Aviation Research Institute © 

                                                                                                                    
                                               
CHC Helicopters Ireland Ltd/Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61N EI-MES c/n 61776 departed Shannon Airport for the last time on the 25th July 2012 en route to Lee-on-Solent prior to being shipped back to the United States. This aircraft was registered EI-MES on 27 March 1997 ex LN-OQO, G-BXAE.

I had an opportunity to speak to the crew at Weston Aerodrome Open Day on 10th September 2011 said the Sikorsky S-61N fleet would be phased out on a gradual basis firstly commencing with the Shannon Base, followed by Sligo, Waterford and Dublin bases as the new Sikorsky S-92s are delivered.

Irish Aviation Research Institute ©

                                     

EI-ICA,EI-ICD,EI-ICR and EI-ICU have been allocated for Sikorsky S-92s to be delivered with the Sligo SAR Base to take delivery of the next Sikorsky S-92A next December.

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The new replacement helicopter EI-ICG Sikorsky S-92A C/N 92-0150 ‘Rescue 115’ ex N150AL entered service at Shannon Airport on Saturday 31st June one day ahead of schedule ,after an extensive crew familiarisation training which took place since the helicopter was delivered  Lee-On-Solent to Shannon Airport on 29th January.

                                       

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 28th August 2012 All Rights Reserved.