The design of the S-76 began in the mid-1970s for use in corporate and oil industry transportation. It first flew in 1977. Fuselage construction is of both metal and composite materials. Since 1977, 850 S-76s have been built.
The museum’s aircraft has been converted from an ‘A’ model to a ‘D’ model. It has executive seating with five seats and has been utilized as a mockup demonstration aircraft at trade shows.
During the S-76 fleet’s lifetime, off-shore missions have accounted for 65% of the fleet’s accumulated flight hours. More than 10% of the fleet’s flight time has been in life-saving, search and rescue, and helicopter air ambulance transportation missions. The S-76 also is used in corporate and VIP roles. Ten countries use the S-76 for the head-of-state mission.
To date, in 2019, the S-76 helicopter fleet has accumulated more than seven million hours of service.
| Aircraft Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 8 |
| Rotor Diameter | 44 ft |
| Fuselage Length | 52 ft 6 in |
| Maximum Speed | 178 mph |
| Gross Weight | 11,875 lbs |
| Engine | 2 Pratt & Whitney-Canada PW 210 S turboshaft engines; 1,050 hp each |
| Acquisition Source | Gift of Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Company |
This aircraft is available for “adoption” in the Museum’s Adopt-a-Copter program.