Sikorsky S-76 [Archive Copy]
To fill in the gaps; a 76A++ is an A or an A+ that has been upgraded by having the Arriel 1S1 fitted. The A+ has the Arriel 1S. The 1S1 is the same engine that the C has fitted, but not the C+; that has the 2S1.
I would think those temperature ranges are perfectly possible if looking at Azerbajan, Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan; in fact +40/-40 is a comonly quoted variation.
The EC-155B1 offers a significant advantage over the B model in hot climates.
I would think those temperature ranges are perfectly possible if looking at Azerbajan, Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan; in fact +40/-40 is a comonly quoted variation.
The EC-155B1 offers a significant advantage over the B model in hot climates.
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Rumour has it that Sikorsky are brewing up an S76D - anyone know anything about it? Otherwise I'd go for the AB139, but it won't be available for a couple of years. Could the location be Sakhalin Island?
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The S-76D was launched at Heli-Expo after several previous false starts. New main rotor (fully de-iced and drawing on the Comanche design), new low-noise tail rotor (also de-iced, and allowing the D model to comply with SFAR 52), 1,000 shp Pratt Canada PW210S donks and a glass cockpit. 300-1,000 lb higher hot-day payload, 50 nm longer range. Available ‘mid-2008’ (so early 2009 would be a safe bet).
For now, the AB139 is still setting the standard, the result of Agusta actually listening to the operator base during the design phase. Strongly advise you get a test flight if you can – call BAAC in Ft. Worth.
I/C
For now, the AB139 is still setting the standard, the result of Agusta actually listening to the operator base during the design phase. Strongly advise you get a test flight if you can – call BAAC in Ft. Worth.
I/C
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"At present the 155 offers nothing that you do not already get from the 76 apart from the fact that you can say you have new technology"......And....
....longer range, better payload, bigger cabin, bigger boot, faster, smoother, decent cockpit ergonomics, good vis, and a great 'pole'.
At least with the 'D' Sikorsky seem to be stirring from their slumber to smell the coffee in Marignane and Milano, even if it is still 3 years away.
....longer range, better payload, bigger cabin, bigger boot, faster, smoother, decent cockpit ergonomics, good vis, and a great 'pole'.
At least with the 'D' Sikorsky seem to be stirring from their slumber to smell the coffee in Marignane and Milano, even if it is still 3 years away.
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The only thing I would add to that is the fact the 155 is far easier to maintain. We have very few problems with ours while we are surrounded by 76s in routine maintanence all the time.
Hear, hear!
It will be interesting to see how the 76D has progressed. I recently had a chance to look at an S-92 FLM and was surprised to see reference to the fact that if the nosewheel isn't centred it may jam on retraction. The 76 has had that problem for nearly 30 years; don't you think they could have addressed that? Eurocopter use a micro switch to inhibit retraction if the nose wheel isn't centred! There was also reference to the pilot having to set the Nr after start and to avoid certain N2 ranges (again, like the 76); isn't that what FADEC should be doing?
It will be interesting to see how the 76D has progressed. I recently had a chance to look at an S-92 FLM and was surprised to see reference to the fact that if the nosewheel isn't centred it may jam on retraction. The 76 has had that problem for nearly 30 years; don't you think they could have addressed that? Eurocopter use a micro switch to inhibit retraction if the nose wheel isn't centred! There was also reference to the pilot having to set the Nr after start and to avoid certain N2 ranges (again, like the 76); isn't that what FADEC should be doing?
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In favor of the 155, I would stress that she has a seamless and safe record of offshore operations and a good lineage with her ancestors ...
The AB139 is to be proven, has not even started operations, and may reserve some surprises.
S76, in its current versions is outdated !
The AB139 is to be proven, has not even started operations, and may reserve some surprises.
S76, in its current versions is outdated !
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If you really work for an oil company, you will probably have your own aviation department.
The EC155 has performance problems in B and B1 form. The B1 is an improvement but not that much of one. The aircraft still has engine problems, 212 man will surely attest to the number of engine changes that have been done since Shell bought them a few years ago. Can't tell you who, but a senoir Shell Aviation person was recently heard to say that the 155 was the worst decision they had made.
The S76C+ also has engine issues because its a Turbomeca broadly similar to that in the 155. Howevr, its a well know aircraft with a good safety record and offrers good payload if you don't overload it with too much equipment.
The 139 has often been touted as the panacea to the medium helicopter market. BUT, its unproven and, being an oil company, you will need HUMS which isn't available until 2007 or 2008. If you can wait that long, you may be able to have a 76D.
My vote overall would go to a S76C+ or C++ which has just been released.
Hippo
The EC155 has performance problems in B and B1 form. The B1 is an improvement but not that much of one. The aircraft still has engine problems, 212 man will surely attest to the number of engine changes that have been done since Shell bought them a few years ago. Can't tell you who, but a senoir Shell Aviation person was recently heard to say that the 155 was the worst decision they had made.
The S76C+ also has engine issues because its a Turbomeca broadly similar to that in the 155. Howevr, its a well know aircraft with a good safety record and offrers good payload if you don't overload it with too much equipment.
The 139 has often been touted as the panacea to the medium helicopter market. BUT, its unproven and, being an oil company, you will need HUMS which isn't available until 2007 or 2008. If you can wait that long, you may be able to have a 76D.
My vote overall would go to a S76C+ or C++ which has just been released.
Hippo
Hippolite,
Do you mean that HUMS for the 139 won't be available till 2007, or that the helo itself won't be available till 2007?
Wondering because the 139 has the accelerometers installed on the gearboxes already, with all the wiring. Track and Balance gear isn't installed yet, but thought that if they were installing accel's and wiring now, that HUMS would be closer than 2007. Any ideas?
noooby
Do you mean that HUMS for the 139 won't be available till 2007, or that the helo itself won't be available till 2007?
Wondering because the 139 has the accelerometers installed on the gearboxes already, with all the wiring. Track and Balance gear isn't installed yet, but thought that if they were installing accel's and wiring now, that HUMS would be closer than 2007. Any ideas?
noooby
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As far as I know, only Mil 8's are operating on Sakhalin, or at least thats all that was there when I last visited last year.
Sikorsky are indeed churning out a new S-76.
Heard whispers that on Sakhalin the Mil 8's are being replaced by either S-92 or AB 139, last I heard the 139 was favoured.. if thats any use???
Sikorsky are indeed churning out a new S-76.
Heard whispers that on Sakhalin the Mil 8's are being replaced by either S-92 or AB 139, last I heard the 139 was favoured.. if thats any use???
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Hippolite,
The 155 has its share of technical problems like any other helicopter, but we operate from the same location as a whole bunch of 76s (of all marques) and the 155's serviceability record beats the 76 hands down. Its also easier to work on, so downtime overall is far less.
Comparing the 155B1 to the 76C+, the performance is very similar. The new 76C++ may give a performance advantage, but for all the reasons already mentioned on this thread I'd go for the 155.
Incidentally, Bristow operate the 155 for Shell in Nigeria and so are aware of all the "problems", but they are still planning to buy 155s for the Southern North Sea, so it can't be that bad!
The 155 has its share of technical problems like any other helicopter, but we operate from the same location as a whole bunch of 76s (of all marques) and the 155's serviceability record beats the 76 hands down. Its also easier to work on, so downtime overall is far less.
Comparing the 155B1 to the 76C+, the performance is very similar. The new 76C++ may give a performance advantage, but for all the reasons already mentioned on this thread I'd go for the 155.
Incidentally, Bristow operate the 155 for Shell in Nigeria and so are aware of all the "problems", but they are still planning to buy 155s for the Southern North Sea, so it can't be that bad!
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We looked at the grande S, 155, 76 and 139 aswell, and, for our money the 139 seems the best of the bunch but at the moment the 139 is only Single crew VFR during daytime and 2 Crew IFR - so what happens on an overnight stop and the met man gets it wrong......dear Boss sorry I need another pilot to fly back!!! Does anyone know if the 139 is looking to be certified single pilot IFR like the 76 and 155??
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Gomer:
I seem to recall that when you convert a straight "A" to a "A++" by replacing the C30's with 1S1 Arriels, you also increase the Maximum Take Off Weight from 10500 lbs [4762 kg] upto 10800 lbs [4898 kgs].
Its been a while, but I think this is correct??
Its been a while, but I think this is correct??
TCAS for S76
What sort of TCAS do you 76 people have? I am getting tired of having to take avoiding action for the bugsmashers which appear from behind the thick pillars of the machine, despite constant head movements during visual scans. A little more warning would save a lot of adrenaline.
We are looking at putting it into our 76B, and would like to know what is the most popular fitment out there. TCAS 1? 2? I suspect that TCAS 2 is not really needed (as well as the $300,000 price tag!) What brands have an STC for the 76?
All replies appreciated.
We are looking at putting it into our 76B, and would like to know what is the most popular fitment out there. TCAS 1? 2? I suspect that TCAS 2 is not really needed (as well as the $300,000 price tag!) What brands have an STC for the 76?
All replies appreciated.
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At PHI in the Gulf of Mexico we use mostly the (formerly) Goodrich Traffic Alert System (TAS). It actively interrogates the transponders of nearby aircraft and shows those within six or ten miles depending on the type of display. In the S-76 I've found it to be very reliable and accurate with respect to altitude, range, and bearing. It's my favorite piece of safety equipment. I understand the price tag is in the neighborhood of $15,000 US.
-Stan-
-Stan-
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We have the BFGoodrich Sky497 Skywatch system, which is a TAS (Traffic Advisory System), not a true TCAS. It only sees other aircraft with a working transponder, but it does a good job. We see lots of stuff that we would never see at all if we didn't have it installed. It doesn't do resolution advisories or anything fancy, it just has a display which fits into a standard hole in the panel, and a voice interface which announces "Traffic, traffic" when it thinks there may be a conflict. I have no idea of the cost, but I do think it's worth whatever it costs.
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It's hard to say. I have no idea how many the competition has installed. All our mediums have them, and the light ships that don't already have them will be equipped in the foreseeable future. I hope they all do, but I simply can't speak for the other operators.