S-92 passes autorotation certification tests

Sikorsky S-92 test pilots John Dixon, company flight operations director, and Bob Spaulding, S-92 chief pilot, performed two full power-off landings last month, passing an important milestone on the medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter’s road to certification. Both landings were performed at slightly above the model’s max gross weight of 26,250 lb. The next milestone is FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), expected shortly, according to Nick Lappos, S-92 program manager. FAA type certification is expected in December and first production deliveries in early 2004. Since the first flight in December 1998, the program has compiled more than 1,340 flight test hours. Sikorsky Aircraft is here in Orlando at Booth No. 3082.