|
The Sikorsky S-76 is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter, manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The S-76 features twin turboshaft engines, four-bladed main and tail rotors and retractable landing gear. ==Development== The development of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s as the S-74, with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry; the S-74 was later re-designated the S-76 in honor of the U.S. Bicentennial. Sikorsky's design work on the S-70 helicopter (which was selected for use by the United States Army as the UH-60 Black Hawk) was utilized in the development of the S-76, incorporating S-70 design technology in its rotor blades and rotor heads.〔Lambert ''Flight International'' 6 May 1978, p. 1378.〕 It was the first Sikorsky helicopter designed purely for commercial rather than military use.〔Lambert ''Flight International'' 6 May 1978, p. 1377.〕 The prototype first flew on March 13, 1977. Initial US Federal Aviation Administration type certification was granted on November 21, 1978, with the first customer delivery on February 27, 1979.〔''Air International'' March 1980, pp. 142, 144.〕 The S-76 was named "Spirit" late in 1978,〔''Air International'' March 1980, p. 144.〕 but this name was officially dropped by the company on October 9, 1980 due to translation issues into some foreign languages.〔Kline, R.E., "Identification of S-76 Helicopter", Sikorsky Internal Correspondence P-2462, October 9, 1980.〕 The first production variant was the S-76A. In 1982, this model set class records for range, climb, speed〔"(FAI Record ID #11660 - Speed over a closed circuit. Class E-Rotorcraft (Absolute Record of class E) )" (500 km ) ''Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 21 September 2014.〕〔"(FAI Record ID #2262 - Speed over a recognised course: Chicago, IL (USA) - New York, NY (USA). Class E-1 (Helicopers), turbine )" ''Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 21 September 2014. Others: 1827, 1839, 1844, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2100, 2222, 2223, 3415, 10273〕 and ceiling.〔"(FAI Record ID #9947 - Altitude in horizontal flight. Class E-1d (Helicopters: take off weight 1750 to 3000 kg) )" (500 km ) ''Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 21 September 2014.〕 Several airlines operate the S-76A on scheduled services including Helijet Airways of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The S-76 Mk II was introduced in 1982 and the S-76B in 1987, with its top speed of at sea level. Over 500 S-76s had been delivered by early 2001.〔 The S-76C+ was produced until December 2005. It is equipped with twin Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and a Honeywell EFIS suite.〔 The aircraft incorporates active noise suppression, vibration dampers and a composite main rotor. On January 3, 2006, the S-76 C++ replaced earlier models in production. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines and incorporates an improved and quieter transmission as well as minor changes in the interior equipment and avionics. There were 92 orders for this model as of January 2006. Development of the follow-on S-76D was subject to four years of delays due to technical problems in expanding the flight envelope. The prototype made its first flight on February 7, 2009 and type certification was initially expected in 2011, with deliveries forecast for the end of that year. It was FAA certified on 12 October 2012. Three prototypes were used in the certification program, with one aircraft used to certify the optional electric rotor ice-protection system. The "D" model is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines driving composite rotors and incorporates active vibration control. Performance is substantially improved with the added power, but initial certification retains the same gross weight and maximum cruise speed as earlier models.〔(【引用サイトリンク】accessdate=2010-12-19 )〕〔"First Flight for Improved Sikorsky S-76", p. 15. Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 16, 2009.〕 Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation was contracted in September 2013 to produce the S-76D airframe. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sikorsky S-76」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|