(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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-gallon (~10,000 litre) fixed retardant tank to assist in the control of bush fires, and it has acquitted itself admirably in this role.
So far, 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. Other operators, such as Siller Brothers, have followed suit 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, Canada.
General characteristics
* Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot), plus room for one rear-facing observer
* Capacity: up to 5 total persons
* Payload: 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)
* Length: 70 ft 3 in (21.41 m (fuselage))
* Rotor diameter: 72 ft 0 in (21.95 m)
* Height: 18 ft 7 in (5.67 m)
* Disc area: 4070 ft² (378.1 m²)
* Empty weight: 19,234 lb (8,724 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 42,000 lb (19,050 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-4A (T73-P-1) turboshaft engines, 4,500 shp (3,555 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 109 knots (126 mph, 203 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 91 knots (105 mph, 169 km/h)
* Range: 200 nmi (230 mi, 370 km) max fuel and reserves
* Service ceiling: 9,000 ft (2,743 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,330 ft/min (6.75 m/s)
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