Helicopters cover the short San Francisco Bay Area hops where the ground journey is the slow part, and where a runway is not available at all.
Sikorsky Aircraft (Lockheed Martin) introduced the Sikorsky S-76 in 1979. It seats 6 to 8 with a published range of 411 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 155 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 15,000 feet, 38 cubic feet of baggage volume and a lavatory.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Helicopter
- Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft (Lockheed Martin)
- Year introduced: 1979
- Seating: 6 to 8
- Crew: 2
- Range: 411 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 155 knots
- Service ceiling: 15,000 feet
- Length: 44.1 feet
- Wingspan: 44 feet
- Height: 14.5 feet
- Baggage volume: 38 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Sikorsky S-76 Fits San Francisco
Out of the Bay Area, this is an aircraft that fits a particular kind of trip. With 411 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from the Bay Area to destinations such as Reno, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, allowing for reserves and routing. Bay Area tower hours vary a great deal, and only San Francisco International and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport are towered around the clock.
Around the Bay Area this opens up the smaller fields as well as the primary ones, including Hayward Executive (KHWD), Buchanan Field (KCCR) at Concord and Livermore Municipal (KLVK), where tower hours are worth checking before a late departure. Whether it can use a particular airport on your date is the operator’s call for that aircraft, that weight and that day, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Bay Area Clients Use the Sikorsky S-76
Helicopters cover the short Bay Area movements when driving is not the ideal option: across the bay, out to a vineyard or a coastal property, or connecting to an aircraft waiting at another field. Landing close to the destination is the entire point.
Tell us the route, the passenger count and what is traveling with you, and your advisor will confirm whether this aircraft is the right fit or point you to a better one. We will also tell you which Bay Area field makes the most sense for the trip.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
- Estimated hourly rate: $3,500 to $5,000 (as of 9/2026)
Contact
Call an advisor at +1-888-987-5387 at any hour, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we check operators, crews and insurance on our safety page.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.