Sikorsky flies S-76D
By John Croft
Sikorsky completed first flight of its S-76D medium twin helicopter from the company’s West Palm Beach facility on 7 February. Test pilots Greg Barnes and Mike Hardy maneovered the prototype through taxi, hover, hover turns and forward flight to 40kt in the 30 minute flight, according to the company.
The S-76D features a composite four-blade main rotor system with optional ice protection, Thales avionics and autopilot, a dual-speed rotor with active vibration control and Pratt & Whitney 210s turboshaft engines.
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©Sikorsky
Sikorsky says it has “approximately” 100 orders for the S-76D, with expected certification and first deliveries in 2010.
