Sikorsky S-76

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
A Galician Coast Guard S-76C+
Role Utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight March 13, 1977
Status In service
Primary users Bristow Helicopters[1]
CHC Helicopter[2]
Produced 1977–present
Number built 1,090 (all variants) as of June 2015
Unit cost
US$15M (S-76D, 2020)[3]
US$12M (S-76C++, 2020)[4]
Variants Sikorsky S-75

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 redesignated 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.[5][6] It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed purely for commercial rather than military use.[7]

The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977.[8] Initial US Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.[9] The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,[10] but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980, due to translation issues into some foreign languages.[11][12]

An early production Sikorsky S-76A owned by Canadian Helicopters and used as an air ambulance

The first production variant was the S-76A. In 1982, this model set class records for range, climb, speed[13][14] and ceiling.[15] 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.[8]

The S-76C+ was produced until December 2005. It is equipped with twin Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and a Honeywell EFIS suite.[8] This version incorporates active noise suppression, vibration dampers and a composite main rotor. On January 3, 2006, the S-76 C++ replaced earlier versions 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.

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 rotor electric 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.[16][17][18] Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation was contracted in September 2013 to produce the S-76D airframe.[19]

Design
S-76A++ used for Search and Rescue at Royal Australian Air Force bases operated by CHC Helicopter

The S-76 is of conventional configuration, with a four-bladed fully articulated main rotor and a four-bladed anti-torque rotor on the port side of the tailboom. Two turboshaft engines are located above the passenger cabin.[20] 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 takeoff.[21] 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 has 30% fewer parts and lower costs than a more conventional design.[5][22]

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.[5][22] The main rotor blades have titanium spars and incorporate a ten 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.[6][22] Flight controls are servo-assisted, with a Stability Augmentation System fitted.[23] A retractable nosewheel undercarriage is fitted, which gives 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.[7]

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.[20] 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.[22]

Operational history

The S-76 was the first helicopter to circumnavigate the world in an east-to-west direction, piloted by Australian adventurer Dick Smith, in 1995.[24]

Variants

Civil
S-76C search and rescue helicopter operated by Norrlandsflyg
  • S-76A: Original production version, powered by two 650 shp (485 kW) 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-76A++: S-76 helicopters fitted with two Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 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.[25]

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-76 SHADOW
Sikorsky S-75
The Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) was an all-composite Sikorsky early LHX proof of concept aircraft. Designated S-75, it mated a new composite airframe with S-76 engines, rotors and powertrain components.[26]
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.[27]

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
 Australia
 Argentina
An S-76C of the Spanish Air Force
 China
 Honduras
Hong Kong
  • Government Flying Service[32]
 Japan
 Jordan
 Philippines
 Republic of China
Sikorsky S-76B of the Royal Thai Navy
 Saudi Arabia
 Serbia
  • Serbian Ministry of the Interior[39]
 Spain
 Thailand
 United Kingdom
  • The Queens Helicopter Flight[42]

Accidents

Specifications (Sikorsky S-76C++)
An S-76B prototype helicopter modified as a fantail demonstrator for the RAH-66 program at the 1991 Paris Air Show

Data from Sikorsky[43]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two[lower-alpha 1]
  • Capacity: 13 passengers
  • Length: 52 ft 6 in (16 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 (5,306 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)

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)

Avionics

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gollark: Yep.
gollark: I memorised the RFCs.
gollark: My preferred client is of course `telnet`.
gollark: Anyway, some are to join APIONET.

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

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

References
  1. "Bristow Fleet". Bristow Helicopters. 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. "CHC Fleet". CHC Helicopter. 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  3. "Conklin & de Decker. "S-76D". Business Jet Traveler". Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  4. "Conklin & de Decker. "S-76C++". Business Jet Traveler". Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  5. Devine, Vinny (April 2012). "Sikorsky Product History: S-76". Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  6. Lambert Flight International, 6 May 1978, p. 1378.
  7. Lambert Flight International 6 May 1978, p. 1377.
  8. Simpson 2001, p. 505
  9. Air International March 1980, pp. 142, 144.
  10. Air International March 1980, p. 144.
  11. Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.
  12. "R-4 Coast Guard". Sikorsky Archives. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
  13. "FAI Record ID #11660 - Speed over a closed circuit. Class E-Rotorcraft (Absolute Record of class E) Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine" 500 km Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 21 September 2014.
  14. "FAI Record ID #2262 - Speed over a recognised course: Chicago, IL (USA) - New York, NY (USA). Class E-1 (Helicopters), turbine Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 21 September 2014. Others: 1827, 1839, 1844, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2100, 2222, 2223, 3415, 10273
  15. "FAI Record ID #9947 - Altitude in horizontal flight. Class E-1d (Helicopters: take off weight 1750 to 3000 kg) Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine" 500 km Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 21 September 2014.
  16. "Sikorsky explains four-year delivery slip for S-76D". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  17. "First Flight for Improved Sikorsky S-76", p. 15. Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 16, 2009.
  18. Federal Aviation Administration (15 January 2013). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H1NE". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  19. Aviation Week & Space Technology: 60. 23 October 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. Taylor 1982, pp. 476–477.
  21. Air International March 1980, pp. 113–114.
  22. Air International March 1980, p. 114.
  23. Air International March 1980, pp. 114, 116.
  24. Gott, Robert (1998). Makers & Shakers. Heinemann Library. p. 46. ISBN 1-86391-878-7.
  25. "Sikorsky S-76D". bjtonline.com. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  26. Harding, Stephen. "Sikorsky S-75 ACAP". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-7643-0190-X.
  27. Amsta-lc-cstr (June 2009). "Historic US Army Helicopters". Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  28. "CHC introduces half dozen AW139s for RAAF work". Business Air News. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  29. "Fuerza Aerea Argentina VIP S-76". helis.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  30. "Ministry of Transport Signs for Four S-76D™ Helicopters for Search and Rescue Mission in China". Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. March 5, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  31. "WORLD'S AIR FORCES 1987 p. 60". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  32. "Civilian Rescue". sikorskyarchives.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  33. "Japanese coast guard orders helicopters". upi.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  34. "Japan Coast Guard Sikorsky S-76C". Demand media. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  35. "aircraft used by the RJAF". rjaf.mil.jo. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  36. "World Air Forces 2019". Flightglobal Insight. 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  37. National Airborne Service Corps S-76B Archived 2012-08-05 at Archive.today
  38. "S-76Ds for Saudi Arabia". sikorsky.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  39. "Serbian Police Aviation". Aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
  40. "Los ángeles del mar de Galicia han salvado ya a 1.321 náufragos". lavozdegalicia.es. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  41. Coruña, La Opinión de A. "Pesca tramita la adquisición del tercer helicóptero de Gardacostas". laopinioncoruna.es. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  42. "Air Travel". The Royal Household.
  43. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (2007). "S-76 Technical Information: S-76C++ Helicopter, Executive Transport mission" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.

Bibliography
  • "The Spirit of Sikorsky". Air International. Vol. 18 no. 3. March 1980. pp. 111–116, 142–144. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. p. 90. ISBN 0-517-439352.
  • Lambert, Mark (6 May 1978). "S-76 in the Air". Flight International. Vol. 113 no. 3607. pp. 1377–1382.
  • Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1982). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0 7106-0748-2.
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