This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2022) |
S-64 Skycrane / Aircrane | |
---|---|
Erickson S-64 over EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 | |
Role | Aerial crane |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer |
Sikorsky Aircraft Erickson Inc. |
First flight | 9 May 1962 |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Erickson Inc. |
Number built | 100 |
Developed from | Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe |
The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civil version of the United States Army's CH-54 Tarhe. It is currently[ when?] produced as the S-64 Aircrane by Erickson Inc.
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. [1] 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.
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. [2] The helicopter is capable of refilling its entire tank of water in 45 seconds from a water slide 18 in (46 cm) thick. [3]
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. [4]
Data from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft [22]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
External image | |
---|---|
Line drawing of Skycrane |
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2022) |
S-64 Skycrane / Aircrane | |
---|---|
Erickson S-64 over EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 | |
Role | Aerial crane |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer |
Sikorsky Aircraft Erickson Inc. |
First flight | 9 May 1962 |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Erickson Inc. |
Number built | 100 |
Developed from | Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe |
The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civil version of the United States Army's CH-54 Tarhe. It is currently[ when?] produced as the S-64 Aircrane by Erickson Inc.
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. [1] 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.
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. [2] The helicopter is capable of refilling its entire tank of water in 45 seconds from a water slide 18 in (46 cm) thick. [3]
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. [4]
Data from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft [22]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
External image | |
---|---|
Line drawing of Skycrane |