Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that it delivered its first fully configured S-76D™ helicopter, the latest in the long and highly successful Sikorsky S-76® commercial aircraft family, to the Bristow Group Inc. in December. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

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.

“This delivery marks a historic occasion for Sikorsky as the new S-76D helicopter heads into service. We are thrilled that the first completed aircraft is going to our highly valued customer, Bristow Group, with which we share a 40-year relationship and a culture of safety and quality,” said Carey Bond, president, Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “We thank Bristow for their continued trust in our products and proudly look forward to this aircraft joining the Bristow rotorcraft fleet.”

“Bristow is committed to providing the safest, most reliable and efficient service to our clients, and our S-76 aircraft have done just that by consistently performing a demanding and intensive offshore oil and gas transportation mission on an aggressive schedule,” said William E. Chiles, president and chief executive officer of Bristow Group, “We are excited about this delivery and look forward to putting the new S-76D with its enhanced capabilities into our operations around the world.”

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. 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.

“The S-76D helicopter delivers the safety, reliability and efficiency our customers have come to expect from the S-76 family of aircraft, but with faster cruise speed and a more efficient fuel burn,” added Mr. Bond.

The S-76D™ helicopter has quickly proven popular with customers, with a current backlog exceeding $700 million. Sikorsky 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 press release