Tue, Feb 10, 2009
Prototype Completes 30 Minute First Flight
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation announced Monday it recently
completed the first flight of its S-76D helicopter, the latest
version of the S-76 line. Company test pilots maneuvered the
prototype aircraft through taxi, hover, hover turns, and forward
flight to 40 knots in a test flight that lasted approximately 30
minutes.
Sikorsky Chief Test Pilot Greg Barnes and Pilot Mike Hardy
conducted the test flight at Sikorsky's Florida facility on
February 7. The milestone culminated more than three years of
design, development and testing of the first prototype
aircraft.
"The next generation of the S-76 helicopter begins today," said
Jason Durno, Program Manager. "The S-76D helicopter brings
Sikorsky's popular S-76 aircraft to the next level in performance.
It is through the dedication of this program team that the 'D' will
open the door to new applications for this aircraft model."
Among the enhancements on the S-76D include all-composite,
flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system
and autopilot; dual speed rotor with active vibration control; dual
Pratt & Whitney 210S engines; a "quiet mode" for operations in
congested public areas; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection System
(RIPS) for all-weather capability.
Sikorsky says the S-76D helicopter also will offer an increase
in useful load and extended range performance versus the S-76C+ and
S-76C++ aircraft currently fielded.
The S-76D helicopter is scheduled to enter production with
certification, and customer deliveries in 2010. Sikorsky already
has approximately 100 delivery position agreements on the
aircraft.
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