FAA approves engine for S-76D helicopter

Sikorsky has announced that
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently certified the Pratt &
Whitney Canada
PW210S engines that will be installed in Sikorsky’s new S-76D helicopter.

The engine certification was issued on 5 December saying that the PW210S engine
meets the requirements of Part 21.29 of the FAA regulations. This latest type
certification follows the issuance of a Type Certificate E-36 on the engines by
Transport Canada
on 14 October.

“The FAA validation of the
engines is yet another important milestone in the development of the S-76D
helicopter. With any development program, there are challenges, and the program
team has faced every challenge with a robust process of the highest standards
to ensure that this engine will be ready to enter service and to meet the needs
of our customers,” said Tim Fox, S-76 helicopter senior programme manager.

Sikorsky expects to receive
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation of the Canadian Type
Certificate in the coming months, Fox said. Delivery of the first aircraft to
the launch customer is slated for 2012.

“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 programmes for Sikorsky Global Helicopters.