S-76 Improvements Pondered for HAI

Less noise, more power and more fully integrated avionics may be in store for Sikorsky's S-76.

"We're considering a whole package of improvements for the next block change," says Sikorsky civil programs VP Tommy Thomason, to be worked into the S-76 in the 2002-2003 timeframe.

If Sikorsky decides to go ahead with the package, it'll be detailed at the Helicopter Association International's Heli-Expo show in Anaheim February 11-13, Thomason told Show News prior to NBAA 2000 here in New Orleans.

Already flight-tested and proven is a reduced-noise tail rotor that would lower the aircraft's exterior noise. "It is retrofittable," Thomason says of the new design, and would not add any cost if incorporated into production S-76 helicopters. Noise reduction is about 2 dB at takeoff and flyover, "which doesn't sound like much but is perceptible given the frequency involved."

Sikorsky is looking at a modest upgrade to the twin Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 turboshaft engines on the current S-76C+. They are rated at 794 shp maximum cruise, and 856 shp at takeoff. "We have been discussing an increase in takeoff power of up to 6%," says Thomason.

Sikorsky is also considering a fully integrated, all-glass cockpit for the S-76. "The Honeywell Primus Epic is at the top of a very short list" for the avionics improvement, Thomason says. Also on the list is Rockwell Collins, which supplies the all-glass integrated cockpit on Sikorsky's larger S-92 Helibus.

In development as a separate option is a Differential GPS approach and landing system that Sikorsky says could be added to GPS-equipped aircraft at a cost of about $20,000. It would allow greatly reduced approach minimums, notably ceilings below 100 feet and visibility below 600 feet at first commercialization-with the possibility of zero-zero minimums in future.

"It's particularly important for corporate operators who fly into strange airports, and, obviously, for EMS. We're always working toward avoiding even the rare accident," Thomason says.

For now, however, the Sikorsky VP is making no next-block promises for its business aircraft workhorse. "We're always looking to see what we should do next," Thomason says.