VH-BRI. Sikorsky S-61N. c/n 61242.

Was also registered as: VH-BHO; N116AZ.

 

This aircraft was purchased new by Ansett-ANA - May 01, 1964

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BRI - September 10, 1964

Registered to Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd, Melbourne

It was configured to seat 26 - 27 passengers

It arrived aboard the ship S. S. Cap Blanco at the Melbourne Docks - November 02, 1964

This was the first twin-engined helicopter either civil or military to arrive in Australia

It was transported by road to Melbourne (Essendon) for assembly

Test flown at Melbourne (Essendon) in the Ansett-ANA livery (Captain Max Holyman) - November 27, 1964

Demonstration flights were made at Melbourne (Moorabbin) (Captain M. Holyman) - January 03, 1965

Ferried Melbourne (Essendon) - Brisbane - February 23 - 24, 1965

It was named 'Golden Islander' at Brisbane Airport by Qld Minister for Tourism Mr Herbert - March 01, 1965

Ferried Brisbane - Proserpine - March 01, 1965

Operated its first revenue service Proserpine - Hayman Island - March 06, 1965

Ansett-ANA changed its name to Ansett Airlines of Australia - November 01, 1968

Following its sister aircraft 'VH-BRH' entering service it was flown to Melbourne for upgrading and repainting

Chartered to Bristow Helicopters (WA) Pty Ltd for oil exploration work near Wyndham - November 26, 1977

Returned to Ansett at the end of the lease - April 01, 1978

Ansett Airlines of Australia changed its name to Ansett - April 13, 1981

Operated its final revenue service Hayman Island - Proserpine - July 21, 1984

Departed Proserpine on the ferry flight to Melbourne (Tullamarine) - August 02, 1984

It arrived at Melbourne (Tullamarine) for storage - August 03, 1984

It had flown 13,175 hours to date

Test flown at Melbourne (Tullamarine) in an all-white livery - April 1986

The intended sale to Grecoair did not eventuate despite the aircraft acquiring the registration marks 'N116AZ'

Cancelled from Australian Aircraft Register - May 08, 1986

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BHO - October 30, 1986

Registered to Barrack Aviation Services Pty Ltd, North Fremantle

Officially sold to Barrack Aviation Services Pty Ltd - November 01, 1986

Used for passenger services Fremantle - Rottnest Island during the 'America Cup' regatta

Had 'Island Hopper' titles applied to the uselage

Withdrawn from use at Perth - March 1988

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - March 22, 1988

Sold to Carson Helicopters Inc, Perkasie, PA - April 1988

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N116AZ - ?

Registered to Carson Services Inc, Jacksonville - October 05, 1994

Used by Helicopters Victoria for fire-fighting duties during the 2003 / 2004 bushfire season

Returned to Carson Helicopters at end of lease

It was observed at Banning, California - July 18, 2006

Registered to Aviation Worldwide Services LLC, Camden, NC - April 17, 2009

Registered to EP Aviation LLC, Wood Dale, Illinois - April 28, 2010

Observed at Banning, California - July 18, 2006

Current status - ?

 

 

VH-BRI. Ansett Airlines of Australia - in the standard 'delta' livery at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, May 1979.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1040-138.)

VH-BRI. Ansett Airlines of Australia - in the standard 'delta' livery at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, May 1979.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1040-266.)

VH-BRI. Ansett Airlines of Australia - in the standard 'delta' livery at Proserpine Airport, January 15, 1981.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-234.)

VH-BRI. Ansett - in the 'Southern Cross' livery at an unknown airport, August 1983.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-235.)