News
Sikorsky delivers VIP S-76C to Royals

Nov. 4, 2009 – Coatesville, Penn., – Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a business unit of Sikorsky Aircraft
Corp., has delivered a new VIP S-76C++ helicopter to the Royal Travel
Office for use by the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. Sikorsky
is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Sikorsky
has provided helicopters to support the Royal Family since the early
1950’s, including the R4, S-51, S-55, S-58, S-58T, S-76B and the S-76C+
helicopters. The new S76C++ helicopter entered service in September.

“The
new S76C++ helicopter will continue to provide the Royal Family with a
high quality and efficient helicopter travel service,” said Captain
Christopher Pittaway, Manager and Chief Pilot of The Queen’s Helicopter
Flight. “It most closely meets the mission requirements by providing a
quiet and comfortable cabin environment, low carbon footprint and best
value for money.  We have enjoyed excellent product support from
Sikorsky over many years and I look forward to a continued
relationship."  

Carey
Bond, President, Sikorsky Global Helicopters, said: “The S-76C++
helicopter has distinguished itself by its quality, safety, performance
and style as an aircraft of choice for VVIP transport. We are honored
that the Royal Family and so many others entrust their safety and
comfort to us.”  

 The S-76C++ helicopter features engine, air vehicle, interior and avionics upgrades.  These
include a more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 Engine, an inlet barrier
filter to protect the engine against erosion and environmental
contaminants, a new VIP interior, a new optional Health and Usage
Monitoring System and a quiet main gearbox using Quiet Zone™ technology
that significantly reduces interior noise levels without any weight
maintenance penalties.

The S-76^®
helicopter serves a multi-mission role that includes offshore oil
transport, VIP transport, including head of state, emergency medical
transport, search and rescue and civil defense. The S-76C++ helicopter
was initially certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in
January 2006.  More recently, it was certified
for unconstrained operations in extreme snowy conditions. The European
Aviation Safety Agency certified the type design in July 2006, allowing
for the export of the S-76C++ helicopter to all European Union
countries.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service.  United
Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of
high technology products and support services to the aerospace and
building systems industries.