Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane

Last updated

S-64 Skycrane / Aircrane
Air-Crane - Flickr - Beige Alert (cropped).jpg
Erickson S-64 over EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009
General information
Type Aerial crane
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
Erickson Inc.
StatusIn service
Primary user Erickson Inc.
Number built100
History
First flight9 May 1962
Developed from Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe
Sikorsky installing monopole in Langkawi, Malaysia SikorskyBuiltTower.jpg
Sikorsky installing monopole in Langkawi, Malaysia

The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civilian version of the United States Army's CH-54 Tarhe. It is currently [1] produced as the S-64 Aircrane by Erickson Inc.

Contents

Development

Under Sikorsky

The Sikorsky S-64 was designed as an enlarged version of the prototype flying crane helicopter, the Sikorsky S-60. The S-64 had a six-blade main rotor and was powered by two 4,050 shaft horsepower (3,020 kW) Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A turboshaft engines. The prototype S-64 first flew on 9 May 1962 and was followed by two further examples for evaluation by the German armed forces. [2] The Germans did not place an order, but the United States Army placed an initial order for six S-64A helicopters (with the designation YCH-54A Tarhe). Seven S-64E variants were built by Sikorsky for the civil market.

Under Erickson

Originally a Sikorsky Aircraft product, the type certificate and manufacturing rights were purchased from them by Erickson Air-Crane in 1992. Since that time, Erickson Air-Crane has become the manufacturer and world's largest operator of S-64 Aircranes and has made over 1,350 changes to the airframe, instrumentation, and payload capabilities of the helicopter. The Aircrane can be fitted with a 2,650 US gal (10,000 L) fixed retardant tank to assist in the control of bush fires. [3] The helicopter is capable of refilling its entire tank of water in 45 seconds from a tube (which they call a snorkel) 18 inches (46 cm) thick. [4]

S-64 Aircranes have been sold to the Italian and Korean Forest Services for fire suppression and emergency response duties. Those in the Erickson Air-Crane fleet are leased worldwide to organizations, companies, and federal government agencies for either short-term or longer term use in fire suppression, civil protection, heavy lift construction, and timber harvesting. Erickson is manufacturing new S-64s, as well as remanufacturing existing CH-54s.

Erickson gives each of its S-64s an individual name, the best-known being "Elvis", used in fighting fires in Australia alongside "The Incredible Hulk" and "Isabelle". Other operators, such as Siller Brothers, have followed with their Sikorsky S-64E, Andy's Pride. The Erickson S-64E nicknamed "Olga" was used to lift the top section of the CN Tower into place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. [5]

Variants

Sikorsky Skycrane

Skycrane "Olga" with CN Tower antenna segment, Toronto, 1975 CN Tower40 construction skycrane March 1975 01c.jpg
Skycrane "Olga" with CN Tower antenna segment, Toronto, 1975
S-64
Twin-engined heavy-lift helicopter, 3 built. 1 rebuilt as S-64E.
S-64A
Six test and evaluation helicopters for the US Army.
S-64B
Civil version of CH-54A, 7 built.

Erickson

S-64E
Upgraded CH-54A helicopters, plus one new build aircraft; 17 aircraft in total.
S-64F
Upgraded CH-54B helicopters; powered by two Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-5A engines; 13 aircraft in total.
S-64F+
Proposed upgraded version with new engines, avionics, and optional piloting. [6]

Operators

An Erickson S-64 making a water drop Air-Crane Water Drop - Flickr - Beige Alert.jpg
An Erickson S-64 making a water drop
Italian Forest Service S-64F CFS103.jpg
Italian Forest Service S-64F
Flag of Italy.svg Italy
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea
Flag of the United States.svg United States
A Siller S-64, registered N7095B, flying near Encino, Los Angeles fighting the Palisades Fire. N7095B, Siller Helicopters, Sikorsky S-64, near Encino, during Palisades Fire.jpg
A Siller S-64, registered N7095B, flying near Encino, Los Angeles fighting the Palisades Fire.

Incidents

Specifications (S-64E)

Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane drawing.svg

Data from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft [24]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. The minimum crew is two and the aft-stick operation can be done by the co-pilot.
  2. The helicopter has five seats but the two observer seats can not be used during external load operations; if the aft-stick seat is used when not used for external-load operations, then the controls have to be disengaged and guarded.

References

  1. Martinich, Jesse (10 December 2021). "The Fascinating Story of the S-64 Air Crane® Helicopter | Erickson Inc". Erickson Inc. | OEM and MRO Services. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  2. Jackson, Paul (1976). German Military Aviation 1956–1976. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN   0-904597-03-2.
  3. Mason, Ryan (20 October 2021). "Erickson S-64 Air Crane to Return to Australian Skies This Season". AerialFireMag.com. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  4. "Firefighting Services". Erickson Incorporated. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  5. "Topping of Tower". CNTower.ca. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  6. Reim, Garrett (29 January 2020). "Erickson to demo S-64 Air Crane flying autonomously using Sikorsky Matrix". FlightGlobal.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  7. "Erickson delivers another Air Crane to Korea Forest Service". fireaviation.com. 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Helispot photo". Helispot. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  9. "the origins of Erickson Air-Crane". Erickson Air-Crane, Inc. 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  10. "Evergreen S-64 spec. sheet" (PDF). Evergreen aviation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  11. "Our Construction Helicopter Fleet | Helicopter Express". www.helicopterexpress.com. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. "HTS Fleet". htshelicopters.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  13. "LAFD S-64". emergencyrigs.net. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  14. "L.A. County S-64". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  15. "Erickson Air-Crane buys Sun Bird aircraft from San Diego Gas & Electric". Helihub. 7 October 2012. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  16. "Fleet". Siller helicopters. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  17. "NTSB report (LAX07TA001)". Ntsb.gov. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  18. "Helicopters area of dgualdo.it (report excerpts in Italian)". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  19. "NTSB report – NYC07WA152". Ntsb.gov. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  20. "NTSB report – WAS04WA012". Ntsb.gov. 26 August 2004. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  21. "NTSB probes Air-Crane crash – September 9, 2004". Archive.mailtribune.com. 9 September 2004. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  22. "Aircrane extracted after crashing into lake in Australia". fireaviation.com. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  23. "NTSB Report - WPR23FA302". ntsb.gov. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  24. Frawley, Gerard: The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004, page 195. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN   1-875671-58-7
External image
Searchtool.svg Line drawing of Skycrane