Sikorsky is expecting to receive authorisation imminently for the US Federal Aviation Administration to begin certification of the S-92 helicopter. However, it has delayed initial deliveries to early 2004 to avoid having to make any post-certification modifications to the passenger/utility machine.
Authorisation means there is data available to begin certificating the 19-seat helicopter, and clears it as safe for the FAA to fly. "We believe we have a good schedule to receive FAR part 29 certification before year-end. The European JAA [Joint Aviation Authorities] is already on the team and we anticipate JAR 29 by the end of the following year," says Nick Lappos, Sikorsky S-92 programme director. European certification has additional requirements such as high intensity radiated field (HIRF) testing, which is planned for next year.
Sikorsky, meanwhile, has delayed the start of final assembly of the first production machine to March, delaying delivery to launch customer Cougar Helicopters until the first quarter of 2004. The company and its risk-sharing partners have ordered long-lead items, such as transmissions and rotor hubs, and have subassemblies in production for an initial batch of 18 helicopters.
"We're setting ourselves up for a careful transition to production. We do not want to back-up production right alongside certification and so chose to delay until certification is settled and so avoid any changes," says Lappos.
Major alterations were made to the General Electric CT7-8-powered S-92 in 2000, including a new Rockwell Collins glass cockpit, reconfigured tailrotor and horizontal stabiliser, a stretched cabin and uprated generators.
Two of the four flight-test helicopters, which have been fully modified to the new configuration, will be retained for the follow-on development and flight test programme next year. In addition to HIRF, this will include extreme climatic and altitude testing and developing heliport procedures.
Longer term, the company is seeking to increase installed power to nearer 2,235kW (3,000shp) and raising maximum take-off weight, with 12,850kg (28,300lb) for initial military customers.
Source: Flight International
