Was the S-76D worth the wait? The short answer is… yes.
You don’t just fly somewhere in an S-76–you arrive. It’s like the first time you slip into the back of a Rolls-Royce or check into a Ritz-Carlton. It’s as sleek and timeless as anything off the drawing board of Italy’s Pininfarina, the renowned automotive design house. And with a cruising speed of 155 knots, the S-76 remains one of the fastest twin-engine helicopters out there. The “D” was supposed to improve on this legacy with more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, more useful load, rotor blades with icing protection and intuitive avionics that would safely allow the helicopter to be flown single-pilot in instrument flight conditions.
The new Silencer cabin shell keeps it noticeably quieter. Cabin options have kept pace with the times: LED lighting, satphone, monitors, beverage drawers and snack nooks, DVD and Blu-ray players, high-end speakers, luxurious leathers and expensive veneers. Seating configurations are from four to six–everything from two upholstered benches facing each other to opulent individual captain’s chairs. Cabin volume is 204 cubic feet, slightly larger than that of most entry-level jets. Each side of the cabin has a massive hinged door for easy entry/egress.
Corporate operators who want plush seating for four to six can grab one for under $12 million. And for that price, you get a lot. Sikorsky has orders for more than 100 S-76Ds and plans to build 24 to 36 per year.
Sikorsky S-76D / Business Jet Traveler » June 2012 by Mark Huber.

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