Sikorsky Aircraft for Bristow’s Offshore Oil Service
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that it delivered its first fully configured S-76D helicopter, the latest in the Sikorsky S-76 commercial aircraft family, to the Bristow Group Inc. in December.
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The delivery follows an announcement in March 2013 that Bristow would acquire up to 26 S-76D helicopters to transport oil rig workers to and from offshore platforms.
According to Sikorsky, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the Type Certificate for the baseline S-76D aircraft in October 2012. In the ensuing year, the Sikorsky Flight Test program expanded certifications.
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The S-76D helicopter achieved FAA certification for offshore oil operations on Oct. 31, enabling Sikorsky to deliver completed aircraft for that mission.
This certification increases the S-76D helicopter’s maximum gross weight to 11,875 pounds and allows up to 12 passengers for operations in the offshore oil configuration.
The S-76D helicopter also received an expanded baseline certification, allowing the aircraft to operate in a wider range of environments, says the company.
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According to Sikorsky, it has delivered more than 800 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979, contributing daily to a growing 6-million-plus fleet flight hour total.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a leading company for helicopter design, manufacture, and service.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
