The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Type Certificate for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s S-76D™ helicopter which is equipped with the Thales TopDeck^® avionics suite. 

TopDeck is an integrated modular avionics suite in a glass cockpit, representing Thales’s most advanced avionics suite for rotor wing aircraft. The cockpit will feature a new “click to fly” ability based on a concept that has never been installed on a helicopter before. This concept, known as Icube-S, is based on functionalities that improve Intuitivity, Interactivity, Integration and Safety. 

Commenting on this event, Yves Joannic, Thales Vice President and Managing Director of Helicopter Avionics at Thales Avionics said: “We are delighted that the FAA has approved the certification for the latest model of Sikorsky’s world class S-76 series helicopter equipped with the Thales TopDeck avionics suite. This milestone could not have been achieved without a strong partnership between Thales and Sikorsky.”    

Commenting on the technological innovations Mr Joannic added:

“TopDeck allows a pilot flying the S-76D to directly control cockpit tasks on his displays using an intuitive Cursor Control Device (CCD). This device is first of its kind on a helicopter and puts all the functions at the pilot’s fingertips, thus reducing the pilot’s workload, shortening reaction time and increasing safety.”   

Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, said: “Our customers are excited to begin receiving the S-76D into their fleets. We are equally excited to deliver a new productthat represents three and a half decades of continuous product improvement, to offer them a helicopter with improved efficiency, power and best-in-class noise signature.The increased reliability and safety delivered in the Thales cockpit on the S-76D helicopter builds upon the well-established safety and reliability record of the S-76 helicopter series.”