Sikorsky S-92A® and S-76D™ Helicopter Rotor Ice Protection Systems

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation designed, tested, and certificated a rotor ice protection system (RIPS) for the S-92A® helicopter, using a combination of analytical methods, simulated ice and artificial icing, dry air tests, and tests in natural icing conditions. The S-92A RIPS is a dual-redundant ice protection system, with the necessary reliability to meet the certification requirements of the US Code of Federal Regulations. Certification for the S-92A to fly in icing conditions was granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in October 2005 and Transport Canada validated this certification soon thereafter. A Technical Visa was issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in April 2006. The S-92A is now in operation throughout the world, with several operators regularly experiencing icing conditions during their winter operations. With the icing certification of the S-92A a reality, Sikorsky has committed to the design of a RIPS for the S-76D™ helicopter. The S-92A design philosophy was adapted to the S-76D and many ice protection system components can be shared by the two aircraft models. The system design is now complete and components are being produced for subsystem tests. Bench tests of the complete system are about to begin, leading to certification of the S-76D for operation in icing conditions.