S-76 Reaches Five Million Flight Hours

Certified by the FAA in 1978, Sikorsky Aircraft intermediate, twin-engine helicopter entered service in 1979. Originally intended for the offshore and executive transport markets, the S-76 line marked the 30th anniversary of its FAA certification this year and the delivery of its 700th aircraft. More than 200 operators in 37 countries are flying S-76s, serving missions that include offshore oil crew transport, civil defense, emergency medical service, search and rescue and corporate and VIP travel. The latest model, the S-76D, is scheduled to enter production with certification in 2009 and will offer a significant increase in useful load and extended range performance versus the S-76C+ and S-76C++ aircraft now in use, according to Sikorsky. The S-76D will feature all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot; a dual-speed rotor with active vibration control, and other innovations. For related news