News from the annual FAA/JAA/EASA meeting:
The
'Lappos S-92' (aka the Sikorsky S-92) has become the first helicopter to be certified by EASA/JAA to the latest safety standards. EASA made the formal certificate presentation in Philadelphia on Tuesday at the annual FAA/JAA/EASA meeting.
The S-92 is the first, and so far only, helicopter certified by the FAA to FAR Part 29 Transport Rotorcraft, Amendment 47, the latest U.S. safety regulations.
Sikorsky aims to obtain Transport Canada approval later this summer.
Following successful tests behind a CH-47 icing tanker earlier this year, the concluding aspects of full icing certification will occur later this year when regulatory agencies fly the S-92 for final approval in known icing.
Production deliveries begin this summer, with 12 aircraft planned for delivery this year. Training will be at FlightSafety International, West Palm Beach, where the S-92 simulator is on track for FAA Level D certification in July.
Sikorsky is implementing systems to capture and use data originating on the first operational aircraft. Combined data from HUMS, bearing monitors, maintenance data computers, and maintenance management systems will electronically flow to Sikorsky for real-time analysis and action.
Looks like all that hard work is paying off Nick.
Tudor