science

Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane

Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane rather than just read about it. In short: The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civilian version of the United States Army's Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe heavy lifter.

Key takeaways

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Reference excerpt

The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civilian version of the United States Army's Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe heavy lifter. Since 1992, the type certificate has been owned by Erickson Inc. (then trading as Erickson Air-Crane; in addition to the provision of OEM and MRO functions, Erickson has undertaken the manufacture of new S-64s, as well as the remanufacturing of existing CH-54s, using the S-64 Aircrane designation.

Development

Under Sikorsky The Sikorsky S-64 was designed as an enlarged version of the prototype flying crane helicopter, the Sikorsky S-60. One issue encountered during development was the lack of a suitable turboshaft powerplant; to tackle this availability issue, Sikorsky opted to cooperate with the American engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney to modify their JT12 turbojet to produce a suitable engine for it. One of the more innovative features that Sikorsky opted for was the incorporation of an automatic flight control system, effectively a fly-by-wire arrangement, which was in part responsible for the rotorcraft being relatively easy to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). The S-64 was equipped with a six-blade main rotor and was powered by a pair of 4,050 shaft horsepower (3,020 kW) Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A turboshaft engines. The prototype S-64 made its maiden flight on 9 May 1962; it was promptly followed by two further prototypes. Amongst other activities, one prototype was flight tested by the United States Army at Fort Benning as a potential replacement for the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave while the other two underwent an evaluation in West Germany. While the Germans ultimately did not place an order for the type, the US Army did issue an initial order for six S-64A helicopters (under the designation YCH-54A Tarhe). Separately, an initial batch of seven S-64E helicopters were built by Sikorsky for the civil market. From the onset of development, Sikorsky intended for the S-64 to be capable of carrying as diverse a range of cargoes as possible; this ethos led to the incorporation of fittings for the carriage of barges and of a specially-designed multipurpose "people pod" that was suited for use for personnel transport or as mobile hospital. During the late 1960s, both Sikorsky and the S-64 were participants in the development of a 'flying lounge' module that could be carried by the S-64. Specifically, this module (built by the Budd Company) was trial-operated in conjunction with AirportTransit and Los Angeles Airways as a faster means of transferring passengers between the airport and the city itself during 1967.

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. The helicopter is capable of refilling its entire tank of water in 45 seconds from a tube (typically referred to as a snorkel) 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter. Erickson has introduced numerous improvements to the S-64 over the years. During March 2020, a new composite main rotor blade, designed by Erickson for the S-64E to increase its overall lift capacity by roughly 3,000lb as well as reduce manufacturing costs by 33 percent and decrease maintenance costs by 75 percent, received formal approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); these rotor blades have been designed to replace the metal counterparts on existing rotorcraft of various models. In the mid 2010s, the company introduced a new avionics package for the platform, providing Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast functionality along with measures to improve the pilot's situational awareness, specifically the Helicopter Terrain and Awareness System (HTAWS). Starting in 2018, Erickson been developing an improved water cannon, which is lighter and electrically-driven in comparison to the traditional hydraulically-driven counterparts. During the late 2010s and 2020s, Erickson has worked on the development of its autonomous S-64F+, which it has promoted to the US Army as a potential optionally-piloted cargo delivery helicopter. In 2020, the company announced its plans to restart production of new-build S-64s.

Operational history The S-64 fleet owned by Erickson Inc. has been frequently leased to various operators across the world, including companies and government agencies alike, for either short-term or longer term use to conduct fire suppression, civil protection, heavy lift construction, and timber harvesting missions. 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. One S-64E, nicknamed "Olga", was used to lift the top section of the CN Tower into place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. During the 2010s, multiple S-64s were sold to both the Italian and Korean Forest Services for fire suppression and emergency response duties. In April 2024, it was announced that Erickson Inc.’s aerial firefighting division, along with its entire S-64 fleet, had been purchased by Helicopter Express, resulting in the firm possessing a total of 19 examples.

Variants

Sikorsky Skycrane

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.

Operators

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane

In research: Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 1960s United States helicopters, Aircraft first flown in 1962, Modular aircraft, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane in simple terms?

The Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is an American twin-engine heavy-lift helicopter. It is the civilian version of the United States Army's Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe heavy lifter.

Why does Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane.