CERTIFICATION OF SIKORSKY S-76D IS POSTPONED TILL OCTOBER 2012

The Sikorsky S-76D is expected to be certified not earlier than October 2012. Prior to this, the certification procedure was expected in mid-2012. And the start of deliveries in the 3rd quarter. 

In accordance with the original schedule, the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter was supposed to arrive at the customers 4 years ago. The main reason for the delays was development problems. The manufacturer had to deal with higher than planned fuel consumption of Pratt & Whitney PW210S engines, as well as insufficient performance of these engines. As a result of engine modifications, these problems were eliminated.

Currently, 3 prototypes are used in certification tests with a total flight time of more than 850 hours at the end of May. The aircraft has already been tested in low temperatures and snow, the lightning protection system and the general operation of all control systems.