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. 

FMI: www.sikorsky.com