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Sikorsky announces S-76D entry into service program

“The S-76D aircraft is Sikorsky’s first new commercial product launch
since 2004. We’re excited about this aircraft, and also the robust
customer experience designed to go along with the delivery of each one,”
said Leon Silva, director, S-76 programs.

Customers have the
opportunity to complete pilot and maintainer training through Flight
Safety International in West Palm Beach, Fla. Training includes a
level-D flight simulator and hands-on maintenance training for
airframes.

Sikorsky’s comprehensive customer support includes
an initial conference to understand each customer’s training and support
needs. Customers also receive specialized S-76D Fleet Service
Representative support by a dedicated or regional FSR. On-site pilot
support is also available. A Sikorsky S-76D customer service center is
available 24-hours a day.

“Our customer relationships are a top
priority for us, and we keep the lines of communication open,” said
Silva. Key customer communication components of the Entry into Service
program include daily status calls with customers, webcasts for fleet
information and product improvement updates, and an eventual S-76D Entry
into Service website.

Another major component of the program
is the continuous support provided by Sikorsky’s Fleet Management
Operations Center. Analysts at the FMOC combine data from each
aircraft’s Health and Usage Monitoring System with customers’
maintenance and operational data to proactively identify opportunities
for cost and availability improvements. “Beyond monitoring for failure
prevention, we have now advanced the usage of HUMS data into the realm
of operating cost reductions. This has been successful for the S-92
aircraft, resulting in increased part lives for example, and we now look
forward to applying it to the S-76D line,” said Silva.

Sikorsky's state-of-the-of-the-art Fleet Management Operations Center
opened in December 2006, and has since evolved as an integral part of
Sikorsky's enhanced aftermarket support initiative. The FMOC brings
together subject matter experts from Logistics, Engineering and Customer
Service who utilize proprietary analytical tools and methods to
identify high-impact product and supportability improvements. The FMOC
is a critical element of Sikorsky's strategic shift towards predictive
fleet support.

“Understanding how customers use their aircraft
enables our Fleet Management Operations Center to predict parts demand
and optimize supply chain and inventory,” added Silva.

“Sikorsky is and always will be a customer-focused company,” said Carey
Bond, president, Commercial Systems & Services. “We are committed to
building upon our tradition of support with technology that allows us
to respond quickly, anticipate solutions and focus our advancement
efforts on customer value.”

The S-76D helicopter has quickly
proven popular with customers, with a current backlog exceeding $700
million. Sikorsky has delivered more than 800 S-76 helicopters to
customers globally since 1979, contributing daily to a growing
6.3-million-plus fleet flight hours total.

The S-76D
helicopter’s baseline equipment includes powerful and efficient Pratt
& Whitney Canada PW210S engines; an advanced THALES TopDeck
integrated avionics system and four-axis autopilot; Health and Usage
Monitoring System (HUMS) incorporated into fleet monitoring and
analysis; active vibration control; and all-composite, flaw-tolerant
main rotor blades. A Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather
capability will be available as an option.