Sikorsky flies S-76D

By John Croft

Sikorsky completed first flight of its S-76D medium twin helicopter from the company’s West Palm Beach facility on 7 February.

Test pilots Greg Barnes and Mike Hardy maneovered the prototype through taxi, hover, hover turns and forward flight to 40kt in the 30 minute flight, according to the company.

The S-76D features a composite four-blade main rotor system with optional ice protection, Thales avionics and autopilot, a dual-speed rotor with active vibration control and Pratt & Whitney 210s turboshaft engines.

Sikorsky says it has “approximately” 100 orders for the S-76D, with expected certification and first deliveries in 2010.