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General Info
Sikorsky S-76 Spirit
Utility helicopter
Role Aerial crane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft/ Erickson Inc.
First flight 13 March 1977
Status In service
Primary usersBristow Helicopters / Coulson Firefighters
Produced1977–present
Number built875
VariantsSikorsky S-75
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History Sikorsky
Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size
commercial utility helicopter
The S-76 was developed during the mid-1970s, originally being designated S-74 but renamed in honor of the U.S. Bicentennial. Drawing upon its recently-developed S-70 helicopter, it features twin turboshaft engines, four-bladed main and tail rotors, and retractable landing gear. On 13 March 1977, the prototype performed its maiden flight. The initial production variant was the S-76A, the first deliveries of which took place on 27 February 1979. Several improved models were produced over time, including the S-76 Mk II launched in 1982, and the S-76B in 1987. Development of the S-76D was particularly troubled, being delayed by four years of delays due to flight envelope issues; it was finally certified for operation on 12 October 2012.
The Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size commercial utility helicopter designed and produced by the American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It is the company's first helicopter specifically developed for the civilian market.
Design
_Sikorsky_S-76A%2B%2B_Point_Cook_Vabre.jpg "Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia (6)")
The S-76 is of a conventional configuration, with a four-bladed fully articulated main rotor and a four-bladed anti-torque rotor on the port side of the tailboom. It is powered by a pair of turboshaft engines, which are located above the passenger cabin. On the prototypes and initial production aircraft, these engines were Allison 250-C30s, a variant of the popular Allison 250 engine that was developed specially for the S-76l it had 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. 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 that had been used by previous generations of Sikorsky helicopters. This arrangement has 30% fewer parts and lower costs than a more conventional design
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Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size
commercial utility helicopter
Howard Sikorsky helicopters MD
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Sikorsky S-76 Spirit
commercial utility helicopter
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General Info
- Crew: two
- 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)
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Powerplant
- 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
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Specifications
- 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)
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Armament
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Links to Youtube & Others
The rate of manufacturing noticeably declined during the 2010s; only a dozen S-76s were delivered between 2016 and 2020. During September 2013, it was announced that the Chinese manufacturer Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation had been contracted to produce the S-76D airframe. By 2022 April, in excess of 875 S-76s had reportedly been built.
Sikorsky S-76 utility helicopter
Development of the follow-on S-76D was subject to four years of delays due to technical problems
Youtube Link
Early on in its commercial career, the S-76 became popular for offshore operations, such as to oil rigs. Numerous operators have either purchased or leased the type specifically to operate in this sector
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