The Sikorsky S-76 Spirit is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter that
can accommodate a basic crew of two and up to 13 passengers. The S-76
helicopter is mainly used for cargo and passenger transport to oil
platforms, in V.I.P. version and emergency. In 1975, Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation started with the development of the Sikorsky S76 medium lift
helicopter for the offshore/ oil support sector, based on the military
S70 Black Hawk program. The first prototype S-76A, powered by two
Allison 250C30S turbo shafts, flew on 13 March 1977. Deliveries of the
production model started in 1979 after FAA certification was awarded in
November 1978. 284 Sikorsky S-76A helicopters were manufactured, a large
number were modified to S-76A+. The Sikorsky S-76B with the Pratt &
Whitney Canada PT6B engines was flown first on 22 June 1984. Deliveries
started in 1987 and the final S-76B was delivered in December 1997, with
101 S-76Bs built. In June 1989, the Model S-76C, fitted with Turboméca
Arriel 1S1 engines, was announced. The Sikorsky S-76C flew first on 18
May 1990 and FAA certification was achieved in April 1991. The Sikorsky
S-76C++ helicopter was the version in production until 2011. Its main
feature is the Arriel engine, which gives excellent single-engine
performance as well as good range. In 2011, with aircraft number 882,
the last S-76C++ closed out that production progam. The latest
development of the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter is the S-76D. The S-76D
helicopter features all-composite main rotor blades, Pratt & Whitney
PW210S engines and Thales TopDeck avionics. FAA approved Type
Certification for the S-76D helicopter on 12 October 2012. Sikorsky
delivered the first S-76D aircraft to Bristow Group, Inc. for offshore
oil worker transport in December 2013. Until 2014, Keystone / Sikorsky
built over 910 S-76 helicopters in various models. The Sikorsky S-76D
helicopter is the version currently in production. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the S-76B helicopters is S76.
On 6 November 2015, Lockheed Martin completed for $9 billion the acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft,
replacing United Technologies as Sikorsky Aircraft’s parent company.
In 4 February 1987, Sikorsky S-76B Eagle s/n 760336 was registered PH-NZU in the Netherlands by KLM Helikopters BV, Schiphol-Oost.
The 1986-built aircraft was mainly operated on offshore flights, first out of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, later out of Den Helder-de Kooy.
On 12 October 1993, name and ownership changed to KLM/ERA Helicopters BV., Schiphol-Oost. On 28 December 1995, registration PH-NZU was
cancelled as exported to the UK and the same day, the Sikorsky S-76B was registered G-UKLU with KLM ERA
Helicopters (UK) Ltd. In 1998, KLM ERA Helicopters was integrated into Schreiner Northsea Helicopters BV and S-76B G-UKLU was registered with
Schreiner Northsea Helicopters BV, Norwich. On 15 July 1998, registration G-UKLU was cancelled as exported to the Netherlands and the helicopter was
restored as PH-NZU with Schreiner Northsea Helicopters BV, Den Helder on 16 July 1998. On 4 September 2002, Capital Aviation Services BV was registered
as owner of the PH-NZU with Schreiner Northsea Helicopters as operator. In 2005, Schreiner Northsea Helicopters was integrated into CHC Helicopters and
CHC Helicopters Netherlands BV, Den Helder, was registered as operator on 24 April 2006. The helicopter was stationed at Den Helder-De Kooy until 12
December 2012. That day, Sikorsky S-76B PH-NZU and PH-NZT left Den Helder by road to Zeebrugge in Belgium. From Zeebrugge harbour, the helicopters were
shipped to Boundary Bay, Canada. On 16 July 2013, the CofA of Sikorsky S-76B PH-NZU expired and on 18 July 2014, registration PH-NZU was cancelled as
the CofA was over a year expired. In Canada, the helicopter was stored and used for parts. On 8 June 1992, Sikorsky S-76B PH-NZU was seen in service
with KLM Helikopters at Groningen Airport Eelde.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
