S-76 Rebirth

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 03:53 AM ET

Verified

Sikorsky S-76D Sikorsky

Key Takeaways:

The Sikorsky S-76, a successful and reliable helicopter for over three decades, is being modernized with the introduction of the S-76D model to ensure its continued relevance for decades to come.
The S-76D features significant technological advancements, including an all-glass Thales TopDeck avionics suite, new Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, dual-speed composite main rotor blades, enhanced noise reduction, and the model's first icing certification.
Despite development delays pushing its first delivery to 2012, the S-76D is in its final certification phase and is expected to capitalize on an anticipated market turnaround, with strong customer interest across corporate, offshore, and medevac sectors.

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(March 2011) — As an icy wind whipped from the Hudson River and buffeted the heliport’s aluminum chain-link fence with an unrelenting ferocity, settling into the cockpit of a Sikorsky S-76 instead of some lesser machine made me stop and appreciate the size and power of one of the best-selling helicopters of all time.

“I’m a strong swimmer and might make it back to dry land,” said the S-76 captain buckling in beside me, “but I doubt you could.”