The Sikorsky S-76 is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter that can accommodate a basic crew of two and
up to 13 passengers. In 1975, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation started with the development of the Sikorsky S76
medium lift helicopter for the offshore/ oil support sector, based on the military S70 Black Hawk program. The
first prototype S-76A flew on 13 March 1977, powered by two Allison 250C30S turbo shafts. Deliveries of the
production model started in 1979 after FAA certification was awarded in November 1978. The Sikorsky S-76B with
the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B engines was flown first on 22 June 1984. Deliveries started in 1987 and
the final S-76B was delivered in December 1997. Over 500 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in various models are built,
including 101 Sikorsky S-76Bs. The S-76 helicopter is mainly used for cargo and passenger transport to oil
platforms, in V.I.P. version and emergency.
In 1986, the Sikorsky S-76B c/n 760320 was registered in Germany with the BGR-Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften
und Rohstoffe. The BGR-Geological Survey F.R.Germany uses the helicopter for survey work. In 2004, when operating on this
job in the Northern part of the Netherlands, the D-HBGR was temporary based at Groningen Airport Eelde.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
