Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has signed a contract to provide a new S-76C++ helicopter equipped for critical care transport to Aero Med Spectrum Health of Grand Rapids, Mich., the company announced today at the National Business Aviation Association convention. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), of Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in west Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 470,000-member health plan, Priority Health. Aero Med provides flight physicians and nurses for critical care transport needs for the system.
“Aero Med flies sophisticated single-pilot Instrument Flight Rules lifesaving missions with a physician and nurse team,” said Jeanne Connor-Osborn, Sikorsky’s regional sales manager. “Aero Med’s new S-76C++ aircraft will be state-of-the-art with safety features such as Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning system and Health and Usage Monitoring System. Sikorsky Aircraft is honored to have been chosen by such a leader in the industry.”
The dual patient medical interior will be designed and completed by Keystone Helicopter, a Sikorsky subsidiary.
The S-76C++, which first entered service in 2005, includes new more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 Engines, an inlet barrier filter to protect the engine against erosion and environmental contaminants, new HUMS, and a quiet main gearbox utilizing Quiet Zone Technology that will significantly reduce interior noise levels without any weight, maintenance or TBO (time between overhaul) penalties. The S-76C++ engines provide approximately 350 lbs of additional payload capacity on hot days at high altitude compared to an S-76C+.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing, 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.
