Black Hawk obtains certification for civilian operations

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the type certificate to the S-70M Black Hawk. The Sikorsky helicopter will be allowed to provide civil services operating under FAR 21.25 «restricted category aircraft». This category permits only specific operations, requested at the time of initiating the certification process.

Sikorsky chose three functions for the Black Hawk: agricultural, such as spraying or grazing; external cargo, using the lifting hook with a capacity of around 4,000 kg (9,000 lbs); and forest and wildlife conservation, including aerial firefighting. If required by the market, more types of operations can be added in the future by amending the certificate.

The manufacturer expects FAA certification to expand the market for the helicopter, which was designed in the 1970s for military purposes. Since entering service in 1979, more than 4,000 units of the family have been produced, making it one of their most successful models in history. Jason Lambert, Vice President of Sikorsky Global Commercial & Military Systems, announced that «with type certification, the S-70M Black Hawk will be available to the U.S. civilian market.» Commenting on certification at the international level, where a category similar to that enabled by FAR 21.25 regulations is not common, he noted that thanks to FAA approval «it will be possible to begin discussions with authorities in other countries to obtain approval for civil operations.»

The first S-70M unit was delivered on November 18 from Sikorsky’s training academy in Stuart, Florida. From there the aircraft, registration N640PL, departed for the West Coast. After undergoing conversion to the Firehawk version at United Rotorcraft’s Colorado facility, it will provide wildland firefighting services for California San Diego Gas & Electric.