Indicative 1971 market range$2.08m (€1.93m) to $2.49m (€2.31m)
Fixed annual planning base$136k (€126k)
Direct hourly planning cost$4,104 (€3,800) / h
A Sikorsky S-61N costs approximately $2.08m (€1.93m) to $2.49m (€2.31m) to buy at 1971 market values. Owning one and flying 80 hours a year costs roughly $586k (€543k) annually, about $7,324 (€6,781) per flight hour all-in, made up of a $136k (€126k) fixed annual base plus $4,104 (€3,800) per hour flown. Over five years, purchase and operating costs total around $5.19m (€4.81m) before financing, depreciation and tax.
Ownership scenarios
Indicative cash costs before financing, depreciation and tax.
Annual use
Annual cash cost
Effective cost / h
Five-year cash outlay
40 h / year
$422k (€391k)
$10,544 (€9,763)
$4.37m (€4.05m)
80 h / year
$586k (€543k)
$7,324 (€6,781)
$5.19m (€4.81m)
120 h / year
$750k (€695k)
$6,251 (€5,788)
$6.01m (€5.57m)
180 h / year
$996k (€923k)
$5,535 (€5,125)
$7.25m (€6.71m)
What drives the real price?
Airframe and engine time, maintenance history, damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment can move a real transaction well outside a model-level estimate. A cheaper example with deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft after the first annual inspection.
What is included?
PlaneFit combines an annual fixed-cost base with a direct hourly estimate. The result is intended for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation scenarios. It is not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Insurance sits inside the fixed annual base rather than alongside it. To see how that single line breaks down by pilot experience and model year, read the Sikorsky S-61N insurance cost guide.
The central ownership compromise
The S-61N combines 31-seat helicopter capability with about 260 NM reported range and about 115 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Test your own utilisation
The scenarios above assume 80 hours a year. This calculator opens on the Sikorsky S-61N figures so you can change the hours, or any of the inputs, and see what it does to the cost per hour.
Estimated annual cash cost€430,000
Effective cost per flight hour€5,375
Five-year operating cash€2,150,000
Prefer to work from fuel burn and maintenance reserve separately? Use the operating cost calculator.
Common questions about Sikorsky S-61N costs
How much does a Sikorsky S-61N cost to buy?
An indicative 1971 market range for a Sikorsky S-61N is $2.08m (€1.93m) to $2.49m (€2.31m). Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics and equipment move real transactions well outside a model-level estimate.
What does a Sikorsky S-61N cost per year to own?
Flying 80 hours a year, budget roughly $586k (€543k) in annual cash costs, which works out at about $7,324 (€6,781) per flight hour all-in. That covers a $136k (€126k) fixed annual base plus $4,104 (€3,800) per hour of direct operating cost.
What does five years of Sikorsky S-61N ownership cost?
Purchase plus five years of operating cost at 80 hours a year comes to approximately $5.19m (€4.81m) in cash terms, before financing, depreciation and tax.
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