Wed, Feb 24, 2010
Delivery For Final Assembly Of First Aircraft Expected In
April
The second prototype aircraft in the S-76D helicopter program
has entered the test flight program, with a third soon to follow,
as the program that is producing the next generation model of the
S-76 helicopter nears completion of its first fuselage for a
production aircraft.
Artist's Rendering
Kuwait International Aircraft Leasing (KIAL) and Falcon Aviation
Services (FAS), both located in the Middle East, have signed on to
purchase S-76D aircraft. KIAL has purchased one aircraft, to be
configured for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)
mission. FAS, based in Abu Dhabi, has contracted to purchase
two S-76D helicopters, with options to purchase two more. The
aircraft will be used for VIP, corporate, helitaxi, and offshore
oil and gas support missions.
"With customer deliveries scheduled for 2011, we are seeing
acceleration of the S-76D helicopter test program," said Tim Fox,
S-76D helicopter program manager. "There are a number of important
milestones ahead, including planned certification of the aircraft
in early 2011, with the first customer deliveries to follow. We are
on an exciting path to the future with this new model; the
milestones we achieve this year are leading us to another historic
moment for Sikorsky Aircraft."
Production of the first S-76D helicopter airframes began at
Aero Vodochody (Aero) in the Czech Republic in late 2009. The first
fuselage is scheduled to depart Aero in April for delivery to
Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility in Coatesville, PA, where
final assembly and completion of the S-76D helicopters will take
place.
Sikorsky Global Helicopters' Coatesville facility will receive
S-76D helicopter fuselages at an initial rate of one per month,
beginning with the first fuselage due in April. Full S-76D
helicopter production rates are expected to be achieved in
2011.
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