Sikorsky S-76

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

S-76

Contents
1 Development
2 Design
3 Variants
3.1 Civil
3.2 Military
3.3 Experimental derivatives
4 Operators

Galician Coast Guard S-76C+

Role

Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft

First flight

March 13, 1977

Status

In service

Primary users Bristow Helicopters[1]

4.1 Civil
4.2 Military and government operators

SAR/utility helicopter

CHC Helicopter[2]
Produced

1977present

Number built 1,090 (All variants) as of June 2015

5 Accidents

Unit cost

US$13 million (2014)

6 Specifications (Sikorsky S-76C++)

Variants

Sikorsky S-75

7 See also
8 References
9 Notes
10 External links

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 re-designated 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] It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed
purely for commercial rather than military use.[5]
The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977.[6] Initial US Federal Aviation Administration type certification was
granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.[7] The S-76 was named
"Spirit" late in 1978,[8] but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980 due to
translation issues into some foreign languages.[9][10]
The first production variant was the S-76A. In 1982, this model set class
records for range, climb, speed[11][12] and ceiling.[13] 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.[6]
The S-76C+ was produced until December 2005. It is equipped with
twin Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and a Honeywell EFIS
suite.[6] The aircraft incorporates active noise suppression, vibration
dampers and a composite main rotor. On January 3, 2006, the S-76 C++
replaced earlier models 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.
An early production Sikorsky S-76A
owned by Canadian Helicopters and
used as an air ambulance.

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 February 7, 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
electric rotor 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.[14][15][16] Changhe Aircraft Industries
Corporation was contracted in September 2013 to produce the S-76D airframe.[17]

Design
The S-76 is of conventional configuration, with a four-bladed fully articulated main rotor and a four-bladed antitorque 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

take-off.[19] 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 gave 30% fewer parts and lower costs than a more conventional design.[3][20]
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][20] The main rotor blades have
titanium spars and incorporate a 10 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][20]
Flight controls are servo-assisted, with a Stability Augmentation System
S-76A++ used for Search and Rescue
at Royal Australian Air Force bases
operated by CHC Helicopter

fitted.[21] A retractable nosewheel undercarriage is fitted, which gave 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.[5]

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.[20]

Variants
Civil
S-76A : Original production version, powered by two 485 kW
(650 shp) 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-76C search and rescue helicopter
S-76A++ : S-76 helicopters fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S1
operated by Norrlandsflyg.
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

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 allcomposite Sikorsky early LHX proof of concept aircraft.
Designated S-75, it mated a new composite airframe with S-76
engines, rotors and powertrain components.[22]
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.[23]

S-76C owned by LG Electronics as a

VIP transport

Sikorsky S-76 SHADOW

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]

Military and government operators

Argentina
Argentine Air Force[24]
China
Ministry of Transport Rescue and Salvage Bureau[25]

Honduras
Honduran Air Force[26]
Hong Kong
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force[27]
Hong Kong Government Flying Service[28]
Japan
Japan Coast Guard[29][30]
Jordan
Royal Jordanian Air Force[31]
Philippines

An S-76C of the Spanish Air Force

Philippine Air Force[32]

Republic of China
National Airborne Service Corps[33]
Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior (15 on order)[34]
Serbia

Sikorsky S-76B of the Royal Thai

Navy

Serbian Ministry of the Interior[35]

Spain
Spanish Air Force[32]
Galician Coast Guard[36][37]
Thailand
Royal Thai Navy[32][38]
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force[39]
United Kingdom
The Queens Helicopter Flight[40]

Sikorsky S-76C-2 of the Queens

Helicopter Flight serving the British
Royal Family.

Accidents
2002 Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76A crash
Copterline Flight 103

Specifications (Sikorsky S-76C++)

Data from Sikorsky[41]

General characteristics
Crew: two[a]
Capacity: 13 in cabin
Length: 52 ft 6 in (16.00 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 (5,307 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)

A Canadian Helicopters S-76A used

for Ornge (Ontario Air Ambulance).

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)

An S-76B prototype helicopter

modified as a fantail demonstrator for
the RAH-66 program at 1991 Paris
Air Show

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
Sikorsky S-70
Sikorsky S-75
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
AgustaWestland AW109
Airbus Helicopters H160
Bell 222/230
Bell 430
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
HAL Dhruv
Kamov Ka-60
Related lists
List of rotorcraft

References
Notes
1. "Bristow Fleet". Bristow Helicopters. 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
2. "CHC Fleet". CHC Helicopter. 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
3. Devine, Vinny (April 2012). "Sikorsky Product History: S-76". Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 24 July
2012.
4. Lambert Flight International 6 May 1978, p. 1378.
5. Lambert Flight International 6 May 1978, p. 1377.
6. Simpson 2001, p. 505
7. Air International March 1980, pp. 142, 144.
8. Air International March 1980, p. 144.
9. Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.
10. "R-4 Coast Guard". Sikorsky Archives. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
11. "FAI Record ID #11660 - Speed over a closed circuit. Class E-Rotorcraft (Absolute Record of class E) (http://www.fai.or
g/fai-record-file/?recordId=11660) " 500 km (http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=1845) Fdration
Aronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 21 September 2014.
12. "FAI Record ID #2262 - Speed over a recognised course: Chicago, IL (USA) - New York, NY (USA). Class E-1
(Helicopers), turbine (http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=2262)" Fdration Aronautique Internationale (FAI).
Retrieved: 21 September 2014. Others: 1827, 1839, 1844, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2100, 2222,
2223, 3415, 10273
13. "FAI Record ID #9947 - Altitude in horizontal flight. Class E-1d (Helicopters: take off weight 1750 to 3000 kg) (http://w
ww.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=9947) " 500 km (http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=1845) Fdration
Aronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 21 September 2014.
14. "Sikorsky explains four-year delivery slip for S-76D". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
15. "First Flight for Improved Sikorsky S-76", p. 15. Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 16, 2009.
16. Federal Aviation Administration (15 January 2013). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H1NE". Retrieved 17 January

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.

2013.
Aviation Week & Space Technology: 60. 23 October 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
Taylor 1982, pp. 476477.
Air International March 1980, pp. 113114.
Air International March 1980, p. 114.
Air International March 1980, pp. 114, 116.
Harding, Stephen. "Sikorsky S-75 ACAP". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-76430190-X.
Amsta-lc-cstr (June 2009). "Historic US Army Helicopters". Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved
July 2, 2011.
"Fuerza Aerea Argentina VIP S-76". Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Ministry of Transport Signs for Four S-76D Helicopters for Search and Rescue Mission in China". Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation. March 5, 2013.
"WORLD'S AIR FORCES 1987 p. 60". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Hong Kong to Buy Sikorsky Helicopters". latimes.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Civilian Rescue". sikorskyarchives.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Japanese coast guard orders helicopters". upi.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Japan Coast Guard Sikorsky S-76C". Demand media. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"aircraft used by the RJAF". rjaf.mil.jo. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
National Airborne Service Corps S-76B (http://www.nasc.gov.tw/eng/airplane.aspx?sn=6)
"S-76Ds for Saudi Arabia". sikorsky.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Serbian Police Aviation". Aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
SALVAMENTO MARTIMO - Los ngeles del mar de Galicia han salvado ya a 1.321 nufragos (http://www.lavozdegal
icia.es/vigo/2010/08/11/0003_8662218.htm)
Pesca tramita la adquisicin del tercer helicptero de Gardacostas (http://www.laopinioncoruna.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?
pRef=2009012200_11_254142__Mar-Pesca-tramita-adquisicion-tercer-helicoptero-Gardacostas)
"Royal Thai Navy S-76". Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Trinidad and Tobago - An Emerging Security Scenario". acig.info. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
"Air Travel". The Royal Household.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (2007). "S-76 Technical Information: S-76C++ Helicopter, Executive Transport mission"
(PDF). Retrieved 18 August 2012.

Bibliography
Lambert, Mark (6 May 1978). "S-76 in the Air". Flight International. Vol. 113 no. 3607. pp. 13771382.
Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.
"The Spirit of Sikorsky". Air International. Vol. 18 no. 3. March 1980. pp. 111116, 142144. ISSN 0306-5634.
Taylor, John W. R (1982). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 198283. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0 7106-0748-2.
Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. (page 90) ISBN 0517-439352.

Notes
a. Can operate with just a pilot in VFR conditions and in IFR when suitably equipped

External links
Official Sikorsky S-76 page (http://www.sikorsky.com/Pages/Prod
ucts/Commercial/S76.aspx)
FAA S-76 Type Certificate Data Sheet (http://www.airweb.faa.gov

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to Sikorsky S76.

/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/96A6C4412BE7C0D7862577A70071350E?Op
enDocument&Highlight=sikorsky)
S-76 database by serial number, tail numbers, models, and current status (http://www.rotorspot.nl/product/
s76.php)
S-76A/A+/A++ Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net (http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_s76a
_en.php)
S-76B Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net (http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_s76b_en.php)
S-76C/C+/C++ Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net (http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_s76c
_en.php)
BBC News - "Which party is winning the air war?" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/fro
ntpage/4417507.stm) - Details of the S-76s used in the United Kingdom general election, 2005.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sikorsky_S-76&oldid=747626132"

Categories: United States helicopters 19701979 United States civil utility aircraft 19701979
Sikorsky aircraft Twin-turbine helicopters
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