Sikorsky Global Helicopters, the newly re-branded commercial programs group of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., and Aircom SP Z.O.O at Heli-Expo today conducted a ceremonial signing for the first fully certified, commercial S-434™ helicopter. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).  

The aircraft, which is Serial #1 in the model line, is the next iteration of the S-333™ helicopter model, incorporating many of the design and performance technologies developed on the Fire Scout VTUAV (Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2011 and will operate from Aircom SP Z.O.O in Warsaw, Poland.  

"The S-434 helicopter introduces a whole new level of flight performance;" said David Horton, General Manager of Sikorsky Global Helicopter's Light Helicopter Division, located in Horseheads, N.Y. "With a four-bladed rotor system, increased power and a larger fuel tank, the S-434 helicopter will fly farther and faster while having a larger useful load than its predecessor."  

The S-333 helicopter operates throughout the world in many missions including law enforcement patrol, commercial and military flight training, power line/pipeline patrol, personal use and lift operations. Inherited advantages of the S-333 helicopter design include a cockpit layout with excellent visibility from all crew positions, superior flight handling characteristics and exceptional safety and crashworthiness features.   

"Aircom currently operates two S-333-series and one S-300C-series helicopters for power line patrol, gas pipe patrol and flight training," said Eugenius Piechoczek, owner of Aircom SP Z.O.O. "We have been impressed with the ease of maintenance and proven reliability of its predecessor and are pleased to be the launch customer for this exceptional value single-turbine helicopter."