Sikorsky S-76
The Sikorsky S-76 Spirit of the U.S. manufacturer Sikorsky is a multi-purpose helicopter medium size. The machine is powered by two gas turbines, has a four-bladed main and tail rotor and four-blade retractable landing gear when landing device. The prototype made its maiden flight on 13 March 1977.
Description
The development of the machine began with Sikorsky mid-1970s. Target group were companies who were looking for a medium business helicopter, as well as the oil drilling industry. As a basis of the development experience of the development of military Sikorsky UH -60 were used. The prototype, which was designed for the transport of 2 pilots and 12 persons received as a drive first two Allison 250C30 turbines with 478 kW.
The S- 76A was the main production variant. The guy won in 1982 several class records in the field of climb, maximum speed and maximum altitude. After the S- 76A S- 76B won in 1987 with a top speed of 350 km / h world speed record in its class.
By December 2005 Series was S- 76C in production, which is equipped with Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines and FADEC. The cockpit with EFIS Honeywell has been further improved equipped. The tail rotor could be made much quieter by design change. To increase comfort, active noise and vibration dampers are used. The main rotor will now be made of composite materials. The S-76 is produced since 2000 AERO Vodochody in the Czech Republic. The final assembly takes place in Stratford (Connecticut) in the work of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
The approved since January 3, 2006 S-76 C has the Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 powerful, an intake air filter, an improved and quieter transmission and detail changes to the interior equipment and electronics. In total there are 92 orders of (1/ 2006) for the machine. The base price is 10 million U.S. dollars ( 2009).
The latest variant is referred to as S- 76D and had its maiden flight on February 7, 2009 at the William P. Gwinn Airport ( 26 ° 54 ' 24 "N, 80 ° 19' 9" W26.90662 - 80.319124 ) near West Palm Beach with chief Test Pilot Greg Barnes and Mike Hardy goods on board. The payload was increased compared to the S- 76C to 454 kg (1000 lb) and range by 92 km (50 nm). Among the technical improvements is the replacement of Turbomeca Arriel engines by two Pratt & Whitney 210S shaft turbines that make each 926 kW ( 1241 hp), particularly notable. The S- 76D has a quiet mode for operation in noise-sensitive areas. The approval by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration took place on October 12th, 2012. The first deliveries will take place in the same year.
On 1 May 2011, a Guinness World Record in banner towing was erected at the Nürburgring. A Sikorsky S- 76A dragged there a 5,000 -square-foot, 1.3 -tonne banner.
Versions
- S-76 MkII, enhanced engines, improvements
- S- 76A, manufactured 284 pieces
- Made the S- 76A , later with Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 equipped S- 76A, 17 pieces
- S- 76B engine Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B36, 101 piece built
- S- 76C, Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 engines, 43 made
- Made the S- 76C , 35 pieces
- S- 76C ,
- S- 76D maiden flight on February 7, 2009, increased take-off weight and less fuel consumption, engine Pratt & Whitney 210S, FADEC, first delivery in 2012
- AUH- 76 - developed from the S- 76 Mk II military version.
- H -76 Eagle, ditto
- H- 76N planned Navy version of 1984, not executed
Use
The various S-76 versions are, inter alia, used in the United States, China, Brazil, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Guatemala, Jordan, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Spain, Japan, Thailand and Trinidad & Tobago.