The FAA has certified the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S turbine engine that powers Sikorsky's S-76D, an achievement that comes after the completion of more than 10,000 hours of rig and fight testing and takes the helicopter one step closer to full certification.
The engine certification issued on Dec. 5 follows the issuance of a type certificate for the engine by Transport Canada on Oct. 14. Sikorsky expects to receive European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation of the Canadian Type Certificate in the coming months. Delivery of the first S-76D is planned for next year.
Currently, Sikorsky is testing three prototype S-76D helicopters. Two additional prototypes are expected to join the program early next year as testing heads toward full type certification and, later, additional certifications for cold weather and Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) performance.
"It has been a noteworthy year of development on the S-76D helicopter with final assembly operations in our Coatesville, Pennsylvania, fully supporting the 'D' completions and our West Palm Beach flight-test center flying the prototypes to their fullest. We are looking to another important year ahead with the certifications to come and eventually seeing the S-76D helicopter delivered to our customers, and on a larger scale, being introduced to the world," said Dan Hunter, director of commercial programs for Sikorsky.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest FLYING stories delivered directly to your inbox