The first Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to include customer-inspired design changes has conducted its first flight at the company’s development flight centre in Florida.

S-92 programme chief Bob Spaulding and co-pilot Ron Doeppner guided the aircraft in basic hover controllability checks. The aircraft was flown through a series of climbs and descents, as well as airspeed and vibration checks out to 120 knots. “This first flight confirmed our expectations for the slightly different handling qualities projected for the new tail configuration,” said Spaulding.

The last of five S-92 prototypes is due to join other S-92 aircraft in flight tests during the second quarter of 2001, and will incorporate the planned avionics configuration change to Rockwell Collins displays.

Sikorsky has increased the S-92 cabin length by 16 inches (41 cm), reduced the height of the tail pylon and relocated the horizontal stabiliser. The changes came in response to customer requests for additional cabin space and a larger main cabin door.

The extension added to the forward part of the cabin permits the installation of a 50-inch (1.27 m) wide door to improve hoisting capabilities and accommodate a Stokes litter during search and rescue operations.

Reducing the tail pylon by approximately 40 inches (one metre) offsets the additional weight from the cabin extension. This combination of changes allows the S-92 to maintain committed offshore oil support payload and range at a Category A gross weight of 26,150 pounds.

According to Sikorsky Aircraft, these design changes provide additional benefits. These include creating an improved fold configuration by relocating the tail rotor driveshaft and controls aft of the tail spar. This has moved the S-92’s centre of gravity forward resulting in a flatter hover attitude that improves visibility for confined and shipboard landings and increases aft fuselage clearance from the ground on landing.