S-76 | |
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A Galician Coast Guard S-76C+ | |
Role | Utility helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
First flight | 1977-03-13 |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Bristow Helicopters[1] CHC Helicopter[2] |
Produced | 1977–present |
Variants | Sikorsky S-75 |
The Sikorsky S-76 is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter, manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The S-76 features twin turboshaft engines, four-bladed main and tail rotors, and retractable landing gear.
Development
The development of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s as the S-74, with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry; the S-74 was later redesignated the S-76 in honor of the U.S. Bicentennial. Sikorsky's design work on the S-70 helicopter (which was selected for use by the United States Army as the UH-60 Black Hawk) was utilized in the development of the S-76, incorporating S-70 design technology in its rotor blades and rotor heads.[3][4]: 1378 It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed purely for commercial rather than military use.[4]: 1377
The prototype first flew on 13 March 1977.[5] Initial US Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on 21 November 1978, with the first customer delivery on 27 February 1979.[6]: 142, 144 The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,[6]: 144 but this name was officially dropped by the company on 9 October 1980, due to translation issues into some foreign languages.[3][7]
The first production variant was the S-76A. In 1982, this model set class records for range, climb, speed[8][9][10] and ceiling.[11] Several airlines operate the S-76A on scheduled services including Helijet Airways of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The S-76 Mk II was introduced in 1982 and the S-76B in 1987, with its top speed of 155 kn (287 km/h) at sea level. Over 500 S-76s had been delivered by early 2001.[5]
The S-76C+ was produced until December 2005. It is equipped with twin Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and a Honeywell EFIS suite.[5] This version incorporates active noise suppression, vibration dampers and a composite main rotor. On 3 January 2006, the S-76 C++ replaced earlier versions in production. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines and incorporates an improved and quieter transmission as well as minor changes in the interior equipment and avionics. There were 92 orders for this model as of January 2006.
Development of the follow-on S-76D was subject to four years of delays due to technical problems in expanding the flight envelope. The prototype made its first flight on 7 February 2009, and type certification was initially expected in 2011, with deliveries forecast for the end of that year. It was FAA certified on 12 October 2012. Three prototypes were used in the certification program, with one aircraft used to certify the optional rotor electric ice-protection system. The "D" model is powered by 1,050 hp (783 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines driving composite rotors and incorporates active vibration control. Performance is substantially improved with the added power, but initial certification retains the same 11,700 lb (5,307 kg) gross weight and maximum 155 kn (287 km/h) cruise speed as earlier models.[12][13][14] Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation was contracted in September 2013 to produce the S-76D airframe.[15]
As of April 2022, over 875 S-76 aircraft have been built.[16]
Sikorsky halted new orders for the S-76 in March 2022 while it sought overseas manufacturing partners due to low sales numbers, high cost of supply and manufacturing, and the prohibitive costs associated with adapting the S-76 to meet increasing safety mandates. This has effectively ended production of the S-76 after the completion of three current existing orders and has resulted in Sikorsky withdrawing from the medium commercial helicopter market.[17]
Design
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20220610123828im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/RAAF_%28Lloyd_Off-Shore_Helicopters%29_Sikorsky_S-76A%2B%2B_Point_Cook_Vabre.jpg/220px-RAAF_%28Lloyd_Off-Shore_Helicopters%29_Sikorsky_S-76A%2B%2B_Point_Cook_Vabre.jpg)
The S-76 is of conventional configuration, with a four-bladed fully articulated main rotor and a four-bladed anti-torque rotor on the port side of the tailboom. Two turboshaft engines are located above the passenger cabin.[18] In the prototypes and initial production aircraft, these engines were Allison 250-C30s, a new version of the popular Allison 250 engine developed specially for the S-76, with a single-stage centrifugal compressor instead of the multi-stage axial/centrifugal compressor of earlier models of the engine, rated at 650 shp (480 kW) for takeoff.[6]: 113–114 These engines are connected to the main rotor by the main gearbox, a three-stage unit with a bull gear as its final stage rather than the planetary gear used by previous generations of Sikorsky helicopters. This arrangement has 30% fewer parts and lower costs than a more conventional design.[3][6]: 114
The main rotor hub has a single piece aluminum hub with elastomeric bearings designed not to require lubrication or any other kind of maintenance throughout its design life.[3][6]: 114 The main rotor blades have titanium spars and incorporate a ten degree twist to give an even loading when hovering, while they use a non-symmetrical airfoil section with a drooped leading edge. The rotor tips are tapered and swept back.[4]: 1378 [6]: 114 Flight controls are servo-assisted, with a Stability Augmentation System fitted.[6]: 114,116 A retractable nosewheel undercarriage is fitted, which gives the S-76A a 6 knots (6.9 mph; 11 km/h) increase in cruising speed; emergency flotation gear can be fitted using helium-filled bags to increase buoyancy in the event of a forced landing on water.[4]: 1377
The fuselage of the aircraft is of mixed metal and composites construction; the nose is composed of fiberglass while the cabin primarily employs a light alloy honeycomb structure, the semi-monocoque tailboom is also constructed of light alloy.[18] Two pilots (or a pilot and a passenger) sit side by side in the cockpit, situated ahead of the cabin, which can accommodate a further 12 passengers in three rows of four, or four to eight passengers in more luxurious executive seating.[6]: 114
Operational history
The S-76 was the first helicopter to circumnavigate the world in an east-to-west direction, piloted by Australian adventurer Dick Smith, in 1995.[19]
Variants
Civil
- S-76A: Original production version, powered by two 650 shp (480 kW) Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C30 turboshaft engines. Large number modified to S-76A+, A++, C, and C+. 284 manufactured.
- S-76A Utility: Utility transport version, equipped with sliding doors and a strengthened floor.
- S-76A+: Unsold S-76s were fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S turboshaft engines. 17 manufactured.
- S-76A++: S-76 helicopters fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 turboshaft engines.
- S-76A Mk II: Improved all-weather transport version, fitted with more powerful engines, and other detail improvements.
- S-76B: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-36A or Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-36B turboshaft engines. 101 built.
- S-76C: Powered by two 539-kW (981-shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 turboshaft engines. 43 manufactured.
- S-76C+: Uprated version, fitted with improved Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 turboshafts with FADEC. 35 manufactured.
- S-76C++: Turbomeca Arriel 2S2
- S-76D: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S. Also features a Thales Topdeck avionics suite and improved noise signature over all previous variants.[20]
Military
- AUH-76
- Armed utility transport version, developed from the S-76 Mk. II.
- H-76 Eagle
- Announced in 1985 the Eagle was a military and naval variant of the S-76B, none sold.
Experimental derivatives
- Sikorsky S-75
- The Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) was an all-composite Sikorsky early LHX proof of concept aircraft. Designated S-75, it mated a new composite airframe with S-76 engines, rotors and powertrain components.[21]
- Sikorsky S-76 SHADOW
- Boeing-Sikorsky MANPRINT study. The original concept of the LHX program was to produce a one-man helicopter that could do more than a two-man aircraft. The Sikorsky (S-76) Helicopter Advance Demonstrator of Operators Workload (SHADOW) had a single-pilot advanced cockpit grafted to its nose. The purpose was to study the MANPRINT or human engineering interface between the pilot and the cockpit controls and displays. The cockpit was the prototype of a single-pilot cockpit designed for use on the prototype RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The cockpit was designed so sensors would feed data to the pilot through helmet-mounted displays. The MANPRINT study determined that single-pilot operation of the Comanche was unsafe, and would result in pilot overload. As result of this study, the Comanche was designed to be operated by a crew of two.{{refn|name="TriArmy"|"Historic US Army Helicopters". US Army TACOM-RI. 2005-10-05. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2011-07-02.</ref>
Operators
Civil
The S-76 is in civil service around the world with airlines, corporations, hospitals, and government operators. The world's largest civilian fleet is the 79 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters operated by CHC Helicopter Corporation.[2]
Current military and government
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20220610123828im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/S-76C_%285082863481%29.jpg/220px-S-76C_%285082863481%29.jpg)
- Ministry of Interior (15 on order)[29]
- Spanish Air Force[27]
- Galician Coast Guard[31][32]
Former military and government
- Royal Australian Air Force (replaced by the AgustaWestland AW139 from 2018 to 2019)[34]
- Ornge / Ontario Air Ambulance Corp. (originally owned by Canadian Helicopters and eventually o/o by Ornge and replaced by AW139 in 2012)
Accidents
- 2002 Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76A crash
- Copterline Flight 103
- 2013 Ornge air ambulance Moosonee crash
- Swan Aviation Sikorsky S-76 crash
- 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash, which killed all nine occupants, including former basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
Specifications (Sikorsky S-76C++)
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20220610123828im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/S-76B_Paris_Air_Show_1991.jpg/220px-S-76B_Paris_Air_Show_1991.jpg)
Data from Sikorsky[38]
General characteristics
- Crew: two[a]
- Capacity: 13 passengers
- Length: 52 ft 6 in (16 m) from tip of main rotor to tip of tail rotor
- Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) at horizontal stabilizer
- Height: 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) to tip of tail rotor
- Empty weight: 7,005 lb (3,177 kg) in utility configuration
- Gross weight: 11,700 lb (5,306 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 281 US gallons (1,064 liters), with 50 or 102 US gallons (189 or 386 liters) available in extra auxiliary tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 turboshaft, 922 shp (688 kW) each
- Main rotor diameter: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h) at maximum takeoff weight at sea level in standard atmospheric conditions
- Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h) maximum cruise speed is the same as maximum speed
- Range: 411 nmi (473 mi, 761 km) no reserves, at long-range cruise speed at 4,000 ft altitude
- Service ceiling: 13,800 ft (4,200 m)
Avionics
- Honeywell four-tube EFIS and Collins Proline II avionics suite
- Four-axis fully coupled autopilot
- Integrated Instrument Display System (IIDS)
- Honeywell ground proximity warning system
- Honeywell Primus weather radar
- Dual comm/nav radios
- Automatic direction finder
- Dual attitude and heading reference system and air data computers
- Radio altimeter
- Mode C transponder
- Dual VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and Instrument landing system (ILS)
- Distance measuring equipment
- Cockpit voice recorder
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- AgustaWestland AW109
- Airbus Helicopters H160
- Bell 222/230
- Bell 430
- Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
- HAL Dhruv
- HAL Rudra
- Kamov Ka-60
- MBB Bo 105
- MBB/Kawasaki BK 117
- TAI T625
Related lists
Notes
- ^ Can operate with just a pilot in VFR conditions and in IFR when suitably equipped
References
- ^ "Fleet :: Bristow Group Inc. (VTOL)". Bristow Helicopters. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ a b "Fleet". CHC Helicopter. Archived from the original on 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Devine, Vinny (2012-09-11) [April 2012]. "S-76 Helicopter". Sikorsky Archives. Archived from the original on 2022-03-13. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Lambert, Mark (1978-05-06). "S-76 in the Air". Flight International. Vol. 113, no. 3607. pp. 1377–1382. Archived from the original on 2019-01-19.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Rod (2001-07-21). Airlife's World Aircraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 505. ISBN 978-1-84037-115-4. OCLC 980274514. OL 8915318M.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "The Spirit of Sikorsky". Air International. Vol. 18, no. 3. March 1980. pp. 111–116, 142–144. ISSN 0306-5634. OCLC 907842170.
- ^ Kline, R.E. (1980-10-09), "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462
- ^ "Thomas F. Doyle Jr. (USA) (1845)". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 2017-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Thomas F. Doyle Jr. (USA) (11660)". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 2017-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Nicholas D. Lappos (USA) (2262)". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 2017-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25. Others: 1827, 1839, 1844, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2100, 2222, 2223, 3415, 10273
- ^ "Byron Graham Jr. (USA) (9947)". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 2017-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Sikorsky explains four-year delivery slip for S-76D". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "First Flight for Improved Sikorsky S-76". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 2009-02-16. p. 15. ISSN 0005-2175.
- ^ "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H1NE". Federal Aviation Administration. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Cooperative Program". Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation. Archived from the original on 2009-09-06. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter". Lockheed Martin. 2021-08-17. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ Norris, Guy (2022-03-08). "Sikorsky Puts S-76D On Ice, Seeks License Production Partner". Aviation Week Network. Dallas. Archived from the original on 2022-03-29.
- ^ a b Taylor, John W. R., ed. (December 1982). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Janes Information Services. pp. 476–477. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5. ISSN 0075-3017. OCLC 496585133. OL 28152958M.
- ^ Gott, Robert (1998). Dick Smith: Australian Adventurer. Makers & Shakers. Port Melbourne: Heinemann. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-8639-1878-7. OCLC 38819984.
- ^ Huber, Mark (2012-07-03). "Sikorsky S-76D". Business Jet Traveler. ISSN 1554-1339. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
- ^ Harding, Stephen (1997). "Sikorsky S-75 ACAP". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947: An Illustrated Reference. Atglen: Schiffer Publishing. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-7643-0190-2. LCCN 96069996. OCLC 464218057. OL 1016558M – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Fuerza Aerea Argentina VIP S-76". helis.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Ministry of Transport Signs for Four S-76D Helicopters for Search and Rescue Mission in China". Lockheed Martin (Press release). 2013-03-05. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
- ^ "Japanese coast guard orders helicopters". United Press International. Singapore. 2012-02-14. Archived from the original on 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ "Japan Coast Guard Sikorsky S-76C". Airliners.net. Archived from the original on 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ "Aircraft". Royal Jordanian Air Force. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ a b c Hoyle, Craig (2018-12-04). "Analysis: 2019 World Air Forces Directory". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
- ^ "S-76B". National Airborne Service Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior Signs Contract for 12 S-76D Helicopters". Sikorsky Aircraft (Press release). 2010-07-21. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ "Serbian Police Aviation". Aeroflight. 2005-10-11 [2005-09-25]. Archived from the original on 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- ^ Llera, Luis Carlos (2010-08-11). "Los ángeles del mar de Galicia han salvado ya a 1.321 náufragos" [The angels of the Galician sea have already saved 1,321 castaways]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
- ^ Luaces, Antón. "Pesca tramita la adquisición del tercer helicóptero de Gardacostas" [Fishing is in progress for the acquisition of a third helicopter from Gardacostas]. La Opinión a Coruña (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
- ^ "Air Travel". The Royal Household. Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ "CHC introduces half dozen AW139s for RAAF work". Business Air News. 2019-03-11. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ "World's Air Forces". Flight International. 1987-11-28. p. 60. Archived from the original on 2019-01-19. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ Royal Air Force Historical Society (2003). Royal Air Force Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (PDF). p. 173-176. ISBN 978-0-9530-3451-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "Civilian Rescue". Sikorsky Archives. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ "S-76 Technical Information: S-76C++ Helicopter, Executive Transport mission" (PDF). Sikorsky Aircraft. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
Further reading
- Apostolo, Giorgio (1984). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York City: Bonanza Books. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-5174-3935-7. OCLC 873072916. OL 7686933M.
- Elliott, Bryn (May–June 1999). "On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two". Air Enthusiast. No. 81. pp. 64–69. ISSN 0143-5450.
External links
- Official website
- "S-76 Type Certificate Data Sheet". Federal Aviation Administration. Archived from the original on 2017-12-09. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Rotorcraft Production List for Sikorsky S-76". Rotorspot. 2022-04-01. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Sikorsky Aircraft S-76A (S-76A+ / S-76A++): Medium Utility / Corporate Helicopter". flugzeuginfo.net. 2019-10-27. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Sikorsky Aircraft S-76B: Medium Utility / Corporate Helicopter". flugzeuginfo.net. 2019-10-27. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- "Sikorsky Aircraft S-76C (S-76C+ / S-76C++): Medium Utility / Corporate Helicopter". flugzeuginfo.net. 2019-10-27. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- Wheeler, Brian (2005-04-07). "Which party is winning the air war?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2022-04-25.