The S-61L first flew on 2 November 1961. It is was 4ft 3in (1.27m) longer than the standard S-61A/HSS-2/SH-3 in order to carry freight or passengers. Initial production S-61Ls were powered by two 1350shp (1005kW) GE CT58-140 turboshafts. The S-61L features a modified landing gear with straight strut legs on each side. Los Angeles Airways was the first civil operator of the S-61L, introducing them on 11 March 1962. Many S-61Ls were subsequently updated to Mk II standard with more powerful CT58-110 engines, vibration damping and other detail refinements. 
Specifications S-61L |
List of Operators of S-61L |
| Years | Model | Org | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962/71 |  Los Angeles Airways | ||||||
| 1964/67 | Chicago Helicopter Airways | ||||||
| 1965/22 | S-61 H-3 |  British International Helicopters | |||||
| 1966/?? | S-61 H-3 | UK Government | |||||
| 1966/89 | S-61 H-3 | Westland | |||||
| 1973- | S-61 H-3 | Carson Helicopters | |||||
| 1980/85 | S-61 H-3 |  Helicopteros Marinos | |||||
| 1980- | S-61 H-3 | Croman Corp | |||||
| 1991- | S-61 H-3 |  VIH Helicopters Ltd | |||||
| 1993/00 | S-61 H-3 | Brintel Helicopters | |||||
| | S-61 H-3 | Okanagan Helicopters | |||||
| S-61 H-3 | Coulson Aircrane | ||||||
| S-61 H-3 | Canadian Helicopters Ltd | ||||||
| S-61 H-3 |  Court Helicopters | ||||||
| New York Airways | |||||||
Global Distribution of S-61L |
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