Huge, but still streamlined. The Spirit's tall slim tail fin is all above tail cone; twin engine air intakes obvious below main rotor; odd-geometry side windows; very unusual paired look-down windows; fully retractable landing gear.

Sikorsky designed this craft specifically for the support of offshore oil platforms; it is capable of ferrying rig workers and equipment for considerable distances. Many have been modified for air ambulance work, with redundant backup electrical service, suction, and medical gases delivery. Extreme utilization of lightweight materials is typical, and many modifications for increased quiet and dampened vibration have been incorporated since 1980.