S-76 Fleet Exceeds Four Million Flight Hours
S-76 Fleet Exceeds Four Million Flight Hours
Wednesday July 27, 9:12 am ET
STRATFORD, Conn., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft is pleased to announce that its S-76 fleet has accumulated more than four million total flight hours.
This achievement was made possible by the over 220 operators currently flying close to 600 aircraft in 59 countries around the world.
"The S-76 is a versatile product capable of flying anywhere, under difficult conditions, with unmatched range and speed. Its success has been built by meeting the needs of our customers throughout the S-76's long and distinguished tenure," said Jeff Pino, Sikorsky's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial programs.
Pino said further that, "Hitting four million flight hours attests to the S-76's status as the preferred choice for hundreds of commercial operators around the world. It combines total reliability, comfort and safety."
Even legacies leave room for improvement however, which prompted Sikorsky to announce in February 2005 a series of engine, air vehicle, interior and avionics upgrades available for order immediately on the new S-76C++(TM) helicopter and a set of additional product improvements that will lead to the launch of the new S-76D(TM) model in 2008.
The extensive product upgrades ensure that the S-76C++ and the future S- 76D will remain best-in-class in the corporate VIP, offshore oil, airline, EMS/ search-and-rescue and law enforcement segments.
Product improvements available immediately on the S-76C++ include: a Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engine upgrade, a new VIP interior, a new health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), and the implementation of new quiet zone technology(TM) which will enable significant interior noise level reductions without weight penalty.
The S-76D will build upon the upgrades slated immediately for the C++ by offering additional product improvements to include: a new composite main rotor blade, a new quiet tail rotor, a rotorcraft icing protection system (RIPS) that will provide the ability to launch into known icing conditions, a new cockpit with an integrated avionics system designed to the latest FAA/JAA requirements, and a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine.
These product improvements will ensure a bright future for the S-76, one that builds on its strong legacy and holds true to its mission to fly anywhere and perform any mission at anytime.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX - News), of Hartford, Conn., which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.