FAA Approves Type Certification for S-76D Helicopter

Stratford, CT - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., announces that the FAA has approved the type certificate for the S-76D helicopter, moving the aircraft forward to its delivery into the medium-sized marketplace.

The FAA signed the certificate on Oct. 12, 2012, capping an intensive flight test program to introduce the S-76D helicopter, Sikorsky’s newest commercial product. The S-76D helicopter has a current backlog approaching a half-billion dollars and is expected to begin deliveries later this quarter.

“Our customers are excited to begin receiving the S-76D into their fleets,” says Carey Bond, president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. "We are equally excited to deliver a new product that represents three-and-a-half decades of continuous product improvement, to offer them a helicopter with improved efficiency, power and best-in-class noise signature."

“The S-76D helicopter ushers in a new era of excellence across mission segments," says Ed Beyer, vice president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. "The S-76D will be incorporated into the fleets of our customers for every mission segment it currently performs including offshore support, VIP, search and rescue and EMS. The S-76D helicopter will offer a higher cruise speed than its predecessors, coupled with more efficient fuel burn, making the S-76 more productive than ever.”

The S-76D helicopter is the latest in Sikorsky's family of S-76 helicopters. There have been more than 800 S-76 helicopters delivered to the global fleet since 1979, contributing daily to a growing six million plus fight hours.

Designed for safety, reliability and efficiency, the S-76D helicopter’s standard equipment features are all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced THALES integrated avionics system and autopilot; health and usage monitoring system, active vibration control; and Pratt & Whitney Canada W210S engines. A rotor ice-protection system for all-weather capability will be available as an option.

For more information, visit www.sikorsky.com.