Sikorsky S-92

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Sikorsky S-92
CHC Helicopter Sikorsky S-92
Type	Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Sikorsky
Maiden flight	December 1998
Status	Active service
Primary users	CHC Helicopter Petroleum Helicopters Aircontactgruppen AS
Produced	2000s-present
Unit cost	USD $15,300,000
Variants	H-92 Superhawk

The Sikorsky S-92 is a medium lift twin engine helicopter manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The H-92 Superhawk is the military version of the helicopter and is an evolution of Sikorsky’s S-70 US Army Black Hawk and US Navy Seahawk helicopters. It is available in a 19-seat passenger commercial version, a 22 troop utility transport, and a number of mission-specific configurations including Search and Rescue and VIP transportation.

The S-92 took its maiden flight in December 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida. FAA FAR part 29 certification was received in December 2002. European Aviation Safety Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification was received in June 2004. The first S-92 was delivered to launch customer Petroleum Helicopters in September 2004. Orders have been received for more than 100 helicopters.

Contents 1 Variants 2 Design 3 Operators 3.1 Government operators 3.2 Civil operators 4 Specifications (H-92) 4.1 General characteristics 4.2 Performance 5 External links 6 Related content

[edit] Variants

The S-92 is available in a number of variants. The civil transport version has an airliner-type interior which comfortably seats 19 passengers in a 20ft long, 6ft high and 6ft 7in wide standup cabin. The utility transport version has 22 side-facing seats in a large, stand-up cabin with a full cabin width rear ramp. The 733ft³ interior cabin area can also be configured to accommodate up to three airline-style LD-3 cargo containers. Additional stowage space is available in the 140ft³ area located in the aft ramp compartment.

[edit] Design

The civil S-92 has a metal and composite airframe. The four-bladed articulated composite main rotor blade is wider and has a longer radius than the S-70 Blackhawk. The tapered blade tip sweeps back and angles downward to reduce noise and increase lift. In response to requests for additional cabin space, Sikorsky has increased the cabin length of the final prototype by 41 cm, reduced the height of the tail pylon and relocated the horizontal stabiliser. Tethered hover flight has recorded 31,000 lb of lift generated, both in and out of ground effect.

A number of safety features such as flaw tolerance, bird strike capability and engine burst containment have been incorporated into the design. An active vibration system ensures comfortable flight and acoustic levels are well below certification requirements.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Government operators

•  Kuwait: Emir of Kuwait - 2
•  Qatar: Government of Qatar - 1
•  Republic of Korea: Government of the Republic of Korea – 3
•  Turkey: Government of Turkey – 1
•  Turkmenistan Government of Turkmenistan – 2

[edit] Civil operators

•  Brunei Darussalam
  • Brunei Shell Petroleum – 3
•  Canada
  • CHC Helicopter – 8
  • Cougar Helicopters – 5
•  People's Republic of China
  • Eastern General Aviation – 1
•  Finland
  • Copterline of Finland – 1
•  Norway
  • Aircontactgruppen AS – 6
  • Norsk Helikopter – 4
•  Qatar
  • Gulf Helicopters – 1
•  United States
  • Era Aviation – 3
  • Petroleum Helicopters – 6
  • Washington Times Aviation – 5

[edit] Specifications (H-92)

[edit] General characteristics

• 2005 Base price: $15,300,000
• Crew: two pilots
• Capacity: up to 22 troops
• Fuselage length: 68 ft 6 in (20.88 m)
• Main rotor diameter: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
• Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m)
• Main rotor area: 2,650 ft² (246 m²)
• Empty: 15,965 lb (7,257 kg)
• Loaded: 25,944 lb (11,793 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 28,241 lb (12,837 kg)
• Powerplant: 2x General Electric CT7-8C turboshafts, 3,000 shp (2,238 kW) each

[edit] Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 mph (360 km/h)
• Range: 550 miles (880 km)
• Service ceiling: ft ( m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Main rotor loading: 9.8 lb/ft² (48 kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.23 hp/lb (0.38 kW/kg)

[edit] External links

• Manufacturer's Official Web page

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk (military variant)
• Sikorsky S-70

Comparable aircraft

• AgustaWestland EH101
• Eurocopter Super Puma

Designation sequence

• S-70 - S-72 - S-76 - S-80 - S-92

Related lists

• List of helicopters
• List of active Canadian military aircraft

See also