COMMERCIALLINKS

APR2010
COMMERCIALLINKS
A COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER NEWSLETTER
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Milestones Loom as Sikorsky Completes High-Speed
Configuration Build of X2 Technology™ Demonstrator
By Marianne V. Heffernan, Sikorsky Communications
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The high-speed configuration build of
the X2 Technology demonstrator has officially been completed, as successful flight tests on March 27 and 31 saw the aircraft achieve several “firsts”
including flying with retracted landing gear and reaching a flight speed of
130 knots, the highest speed to date in the program.
“This is great progress,” said Steve Cizewski, Program Manager, X2
Technology demonstrator.
In a one-hour flight on March 27, X2 Chief Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck
reported that pilot work load was significantly reduced. “It is truly a tribute to the Research & Engineering team that these last two flights have
been the best performing, to date. The aircraft
continues to perform as expected or predicted,”
Bredenbeck said.
Second Prototype Joins
™
The team successfully evaluated several key
S-76D Helicopter
Program
points including: the landing gear retraction
system, in-flight balance measuring system,
Another “Diamond” for
H.S.I.
active vibration control, and the blade proximity
Zhuhai Helicopters Accepts monitoring system. During the next test flight
New S-76C++™ Helicopter on March 31, the flight envelope was expanded
to 130 knots.
Prevue
“From a mechanical standpoint, it’s in very good shape. The team is very
excited and looking forward to completing the whole envelope expansion,”
Cizewski said.
The X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of
technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating
coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate that a helicopter can
cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as
excellent low-speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple
transition to high speed.
Having the landing gear retraction and the
hub fairings on and the active vibration control
system working, we are now in a configuration
that will allow us to go to very high speeds. We
needed that to get above 200 knots.
– Steve Cizewski
Continued on page 3
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Sikorsky Commercial Links
April 2010
Second Prototype Joins S-76D™ Helicopter Flight
Test Program
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. successfully completed
the first flight of its second S-76D helicopter on March 19, during a flight that lasted
approximately 30 minutes. The S-76D helicopter is the latest version of the S-76®
helicopter.
Sikorsky S-76D Chief Test Pilot Greg Barnes and Pilot Tom Davis conducted the
test flight at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in Florida. The milestone brings the
second of three prototypes into the test program. It also is the first time both prototypes
have flown on the same day, demonstrating the dedicated efforts of the flight test team.
“The first flight of D2 is extremely important to the S-76D helicopter program as
it allows us to begin testing the engines for certification credit. The team will run D2
through a series of rigorous tests to validate the performance of the new PW210S engines.
Having two aircraft in flight test also provides the team more flexibility, and is critical
to achieving our overall FAA certification of the S-76D helicopter,” said Jesse Bavaro,
Deputy Program Manger, S-76D Helicopter Program.
To date, D2 has flown approximately 10.2 flight hours while D1, the inaugural
prototype in the program, undergoes modifications before rejoining the flight test
program. A third prototype is being built at Sikorsky Global Helicopters in
Coatesville, Pa. It is slated to join the flight test program in the coming months.
Sikorsky Global Helicopters
Delivers Zhuhai Aircraft
“D2,” the second prototype in the S-76D helicopter program, will test the
development and certification of its PW210S engine.
Kudos for Bredenbeck
By Cass Hamby, Sikorsky Global Helicopters
COATESVILLE, Pa. – Sikorsky Global Helicopters delivered an S-76C++™
helicopter on March 25 to China Southern Airlines through its Zhuhai Helicopter
branch, located in the city of Zhuhai in the People’s Republic of China.
As the largest Sikorsky operator in Asia, Zhuhai Helicopter currently operates
11 Sikorsky helicopters. Mr. Peng Ti Shan, Vice President of Zhuhai Helicopter
Branch, led an acceptance team that took delivery of the S-76C++ helicopter to be
used in offshore oil operations in China. The team is scheduled to accept delivery
of two additional S-76C++ helicopters for the offshore oil mission later this year.
“We truly value our relationship with China Southern/Zhuhai Helicopter and
look forward to further collaboration going forward,” said Jesse J. Davis, Commercial Program Manager, Sikorsky Global Helicopters, responsible for the Zhuhai
Helicopter contract.
In addition to the Zhuhai delivery, the Coatesville facility recently also delivered
four S-76® utility helicopters to Bristow, a VIP S-76 helicopter to Air Ghislaine, and
an S-92® helicopter for the offshore oil mission to PHIl.
The Aero Club of New England has recognized the
work of Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator
Chief Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck.
The Club, based in Boston, Mass., formed in 1902
to support and promote aviation. Each year, the Club
honors a candidate from each of the New England
states with its annual award for contributions to
aviation.
“Your leadership and oversight ensure Sikorsky
products will continue in excellence, through your
outstanding flight test development and safety
record,” the Club said of Bredenbeck. www.sikorsky.com
April 2010
U.S. Marine Corps
Lauds Sikorsky Aerospace
Maintenance
3
Versatility of
S-92 Helicopter
Commanding Officer M.G. Glavy of the Executive Flight Detachment of Marine
Helicopter Squadron One (HXM-1) has commended the Field Service Operations
team of Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance (SAM) for its continued “superior performance, ‘can-do’ attitude and daily dedication” in ensuring the mission readiness of the
Presidential helicopter fleet.
The Executive Flight Detachment provides executive transport in direct support of
the President of the United States.
In 2009, a maintenance augmentation team was added to the existing SAM Quantico
VH Team. Fully integrated with the maintenance squadron of HXM-1, this 7- member
team supports scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks and provides training
and solutions for the continuous integrity and airworthiness of the President’s VH-3D
SEAKING™ and VH-60N BLACK HAWK aircraft. Within the first year, their combined effort has saved $946,000 in maintenance cost avoidance.
Key Sikorsky customers are expanding
the mission envelope and demonstrating the
versatility of the S-92® helicopter platform.
The SAM team (from left): Matthew Lucas, Craig Strech, William Surike, Adam Oblack, Blake Dunn, John
Morton, Matthew Haverluk.
Milestone looms continued from cover
The program has conducted nine test flights for a total of 7.9
flight hours, a total of 80.9 hours of run time, and 207 engine
starts. The aircraft testing has been taking
place at Sikorsky’s Development
Flight Center in West Palm Beach
Florida since July.
The aircraft resumed flight
testing on March 27 after a threemonth period of being down for
maintenance. The program expects
the demonstrator to reach 250 knots
this year.
The X2 demonstrator is
closing in on the 250-knot
speed milestone.
www.sikorsky.com
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Sikorsky Commercial Links
April 2010
Fi n a l B r i e f i n g
Trade Show Exhibit Nets Award
S
ikorsky Aircraft’s award-winning trade show exhibit design has won another
accolade, named by Event Marketer magazine as a 2010 Ex Award winner.
Sikorsky introduced the new exhibit design at the 2009 Heli-Expo trade show. IIt is one
of three exhibits nominated to win to win the Best Trade show Exhibit or B-to-B Environment in Event Marketer magazine’s 2010 Ex-Awards, the only recognition program for
experiential marketing.
More than 600 entries in 25 categories were judged by an all-brand-side faculty.
Winners will be announced on May 3. Sikorsky was named a winner in the same category
as the Honda and Audi exhibits.
Safety Manager Named
Sikorsky Aerospace Services has appointed Mark Zimmer
as Safety Manager. Zimmer will lead all aftermarket safety
activities and ensure the continuity of information for customer alerts. He will act as the communication conduit for
all safety features and updates to Sikorsky’s commercial and
military customers for aircraft product support.
Zimmer will represent Sikorsky Aerospace Services on
Product Model safety teams, and will analyze, coordinate
and plan all functional support for SAS safety related items.
He also will develop logistic, material and fielding plans for
Alert Safety Bulletins (ASB) and be responsible for inventory
and logistics management of replacements parts sourced
through Helicopter Support, Inc.
Parting Shot
Shot
Parting
Longevity in Action
Air Greenland (previously known
as Grønlandsfly) operates the oldest
civilian Sikorsky S-61N helicopter in
day-to-day scheduled traffic, in the
world. It has had two S-61N aircraft
in its fleet for 45 years.
Another
for HSI
By Alicia Hutchins, Sikorsky Aerospace Services
For the fourth year in a row, the Services
Division of Helicopter Support, Inc. (HSI), a
Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, has won
the FAA Diamond Certificate of Excellence award.
The award recognizes employers with 100 percent employee participation in a FAA-approved
aviation maintenance training program. It is the
Federal Aviation Administration’s highest training award.
“Training is a priority in our business and this
award is a testimony to our collective commitment to our customers. We are very proud and
honored to be recognized by the FAA for our
accomplishments again this year,” said Samir
Mehta, President, HSI.
The FAA program includes individual recognition for aviation maintenance technicians.
Receiving the highest honor, four HSI technicians
earned the Gold award, 43 earned Silver and 21
earned Bronze.
This publication contains forward-looking statements concerning
future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially
from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties,
including but not limited to changes in procurement priorities
and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges
in the design, development, production and support of advanced
technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but
not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies
Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
COMMERCIALLINKS
A COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER NEWSLETTER
Sikorsky Commercial Links is a special newsletter
exclusively for our commercial aircraft customers, to
keep you informed of events, products and technologies,
program updates and support services information.
We created Sikorsky Commercial Links for you, and we
welcome your input, ideas, and stories to make this
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contact: Editor Marianne V. Heffernan, Communications
Manager, [email protected].
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