Sikorsky SH-60B

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Sikorsky Model: SH-60B. Nickname: Seahawk
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: twin turboshaft

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2.1
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: SH-60R, UH-60

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 88
> Date First Flown: 10/4/1996
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USNTPS VSS, Lee Khinoo

Recollections: USNTPS has pursued a rotary wing version of the Calspan Variable Stability (VSS) Learjet for many years.  The first organic VSS helo for USNTPS was a Navy SH-60 and I was able to fly it with one of my favorite IP’s, Lee Khinoo (another first with Lee–see my HH-65 writeup), who took me on an ADS-33-like flight to learn a bit about how different characteristics can make a helo easier or harder to fly.

The true dream was realized years later when–with the expertise of people like engineer Mike Mosher and test pilot Barbara Gordon–TPS fielded several VSS H-60’s, this time though they were ARMY UH-60’s.  These aircraft are national assets and the Navy and Army’s investment in them make graduates more capable of evaluating advanced fly-by-wire aircraft.