Trucks then transport to logs the mill. San Diego Gas and Electric (contracted by Erickson Air-Crane) [13] Siller Helicopters [14] Incidents [ edit] N189AC "Gypsy Lady" - crashed in Ojai, California on 1 October 2006. [3] Following this test Erickson realized he would need a larger helicopter. 2023 Erickson Incorporated. A CEO pilot whose horrific crash was caught on video had tried to land his helicopter four times and was flying the aircraft for the first time without his instructor, it has been revealed. The horrific November 18 accident, which progressed over nearly 4 and a half minutes, was caught on airport security cameras and filmed by several witnesses on their cell phones. In the early 1970s, Jack Erickson started the business with the idea of using helicopters for timber harvesting. Your designated expert will be ready to address your questions and explore solutions for your next project. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Bruce Allen Erickson, CEO and president of Bozeman-based American Bank, died in . Over the years, pilots of the S-64 Air Crane helicopter have typically received military training or have served in civilian capacities and have flown the Chinook or other similar aircraft before coming to Erickson to fly the Air Crane. What does this mean? region: "na1", The Air Crane helicopter has a fascinating story because there is nothing else like it in the world. It is currently produced as the S-64 Aircrane by Erickson Inc. "Jack Erickson builds extraordinary life around two passions: aircraft and logging", "Erickson Air-Crane sets IPO price range of $13 to $15", "Erickson Air-Crane, for second time, issues IPO price range", "Erickson Air-Crane Announces Definitive Purchase Agreement for Air Amazonia Aerial Services Business", "Erickson Air-Crane to acquire oil and gas assets of HRT", "Erickson Air to pay up to $75M for HRT aerial services unit", "Leaner, privately held Erickson emerges from bankruptcy", "Erickson Appoints New Chief Executive Officer", "Erickson Hires Former IAP Chief as New CEO", "IAP, DynCorp Vet Doug Kitani Joins Erickson as CEO - GovCon Wire", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Erickson_Inc.&oldid=1107446752, This page was last edited on 30 August 2022, at 01:46. Originally a Sikorsky Aircraft product, the type certificate and manufacturing rights were purchased from them by Erickson Air-Crane in 1992. Aside from the fire/water tank invented early-on, other add-ons to the aircraft include: The future of the S-64 Air Crane helicopter is evolving. He was previously CEO and director of government services firm IAP Worldwide Services. The National Transportation Safety Board said the pilot was Lewis friend, Bruce Allen Erickson, who was impaired by prescription drugs at the time of the crash. Were proud of our long history of innovation, with more than 50 patents to our name. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Hershey's Canada releases HER for SHE bars featuring a trans activist, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. [8] The company acquired Evergreen International Aviation's helicopter unit for $250 million in March 2013. He enjoys both the E and F models, They are both great aircraft to fly. He added that with the new composite main rotor blades (CMRB), It makes the aircraft fly smoother and gives us better performance numbers. Lewis, 60, of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, was the passenger killed alongside friend and pilot Bruce Allen Erickson, 65, of Rancho Santa Fe, Wednesday when their helicopter spun out of control and caught fire while landing at McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California, at around 4:20 p.m. As the blades of the chopper continued to rotate, the aircraft spun for more than one minute before its tail broke off and smoke engulfed it. The world has changed for us. The Aircrane can be fitted with a 2,650USgal (10,000L) fixed retardant tank to assist in the control of bush fires, and it has proven itself admirably in this role. portalId: "21030106", She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. I was only . The bank's website says Erickson had more than 25,000 hours of flight time and ratings to fly various types of airplanes and helicopters. Investigators found that Erickson lost control of the helicopter while attempting to land on a dolly. Still, Wherever Erickson goes our orange Air Crane always stands out and tends to draw a crowd. Mail Tribune to cease operations Friday - 1/13/2023, Talent taproom brims with cider, beer, food, fun, PREP ROUNDUP: Challengers push win streak to 8, SOU names Berk Brown as new head football coach, Survey: Oregonians support forest projects, Why we should pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, Live Rogue Valley music, MLK Day celebrations& more: Jan. 13, Jackson Creek Pizza has been serving up the pie for 20 years, Adam Rich, former 'Eight Is Enough' child star, dies at 54, US approves Alzheimer's drug that modestly slows disease, Plan for success with planting calendar for vegetable gardens, By A Helicopter working on the Fairview Fire near Hemet, California crashed at about 3:30 p.m. today as it was returning to an airport at Banning. region: "na1", Pilot Bruce Allen Erickson, 65, of Rancho Santa Fe, was killed alongside friend and passenger Wayne Lewis, 60, on Nov. 18, 2015, when their helicopter spun out of control and caught fire while landing at McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California. Part of the helicopter hit the ground, separating the tail rotor and vertical-stabilizer assembly before the aircraft rotated 360 degrees and then landed on its left side. Air Crane pilots are very proud of the Air Crane and the crew that helps support its mission. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. region: "na1", He was always there for everyone. American Bank of Montana chairman Bruce Erickson, 65, and his friendWayne Lewis, 60, were killed Wednesday afternoon when the chopper hit the ground and later exploded at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California. In the early 1970s, logger Jack Erickson was pioneering a new way to transport logs out of forestscarrying them out by helicopter. These are common questions people ask when they see the S-64 Air Crane helicopter. N173AC "Christine" S-64E; ditched into a small dam within Melbourne's water catchment with no casualties during a firefighting operation in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia on 28 January 2019. Lewis's friend Robert Fudge told KSWB that his longtime pal also loved flying. The two victims were the only. The prototype S-64 first flew on 9 May 1962 and was followed by two further examples for evaluation by the German armed forces. They started their logging discussion using the Boeing 234, a large double rotor helicopter. Editors Note: NBC 7s story wrongly identified the pilot in this crash as Wayne Lewis. However, investigators said this is a complex aircraft, so a factual report could take much longer to complete, specifically anywhere from six to nine months. }); We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia we can send crews, sell aircraft, and deliver fleets around the world. But in other cases, it is a spectacle to see it because it lacks a fuselage, is bright orange, and resembles a giant cricket, or praying mantis, or some other kind of odd bug. In 1973, Erickson began using Aircranes to replace HVAC units on top of high-rises. [4] He quickly expanded the business to include power line construction and firefighting. 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. I've had enough of life': Grandmother, 86, is reduced to tears after killjoy Tory Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers speaks out on his deep depression after chemotherapy which left him having Top equestrian rider, 39, once known as the 'golden girl' of horse eventing, is facing jail after being My boss is furious I didn't give my first class seat to her and left her stuck in economy - despite the fact How the 'cha cha' will do wonders for your bowel and cabbage juice is a miracle cure. As the blades of the chopper continued to rotate, the aircraft spun. They sold Erickson the Type Certificate in 1992 to become the OEM for the aircraft, and the S-64 Air Crane helicopter was created. Wanamaker said that the aircraft offers general delivery mode, moving something from Point A to Point B.. Given the opportunity, Pilots and Maintainers alike are proud to show off the aircraft and educate the public on its capabilities. Rath added. Almost immediately his wheels were turning or the rotor blades in his head to think of ways to turn the aircraft into a Swiss Army knife of helicopters. Much later, Erickson renamed the aircraft the S-64 Air Crane Helicopter. Wanamaker said that about anything can be rigged underneath. 2023 Erickson Incorporated. It is the civil version of the United States Army's CH-54 Tarhe. N6960R: Erickson Air Crane; 19oct74 crashed when 12100lb load of logs sna . For those that pass muster and are hired to pilot an S-64 Air Crane helicopter, Rath said, Along with the allure of flying a large aircraft such as the Air Crane, Erickson is a well-known name throughout the industry and has the reputation of getting the job done, which draws many pilots to want to fly the Air Crane.. [13] During bankruptcy the company returned to private ownership and emerged from bankruptcy protection in May 2017. region: "na1", In the front office, Brenda Peterson, aka "Chief Chick," keeps track of the aircraft, the crews and the support on a board that. On February 1, 1992 Sikorsky agreed to sell Erickson the S-64 Sky Crane Type Certificate. MRO & Manufacturing Aftermarket Capabilities. The capabilities of these helicopters are broad. Erickson Air-Crane Crashes in Victoria, Australia - YouTube Second Erickson helicopter crashesErickson Air-Crane Crashes While Fighting Australian WildfireAn Erickson Air-Crane. The aircraft crashes on the tarmac and began spinning around repeatedly (left) before, A few minutes after it failed to land the helicopter went up in flames, and both men aboard died. It later went up in flames, and both men aboard died at the scene. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. It is one of the original stories of creating ideas for making big things happen. Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of active United States military aircraft, List of military aircraft of the United States, "Erickson S-64 Air Crane to Return to Australian Skies This Season", "Erickson to demo S-64 Air Crane flying autonomously using Sikorsky Matrix", "Erickson delivers another Air Crane to Korea Forest Service", "Erickson Air-Crane buys Sun Bird aircraft from San Diego Gas & Electric", "Helicopters area of dgualdo.it (report excerpts in Italian)", "NTSB probes Air-Crane crash September 9, 2004", "Aircrane extracted after crashing into lake in Australia", CN Tower antenna being lifted into place footage, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sikorsky_S-64_Skycrane&oldid=1136032787, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from September 2022, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Elvis is the nickname of Erickson S-64 Air-Crane, tail number OB-2081-P (N179AC), which has gained fame in Australia as a highly visible and valuable tool in bushfire suppression. The secret WhatsApp mode that lets you EDIT texts after you've sent them. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. [14], Erickson appointed government services veteran Doug Kitani as CEO and Director August 31, 2017. hbspt.forms.create({ Privacy Policy/ Jeff Mecklenburg, vice president of Aerosystems said, The S-64 Air Crane Helicopter is the Swiss Army Knife of helicopters; anything you can attach to the aircraft, you have a huge space to work with, only limited by your imagination. He started with former military helicopters from the Army, the CH-54 A helicopters, to hook and haul timber from high elevations. Wanamaker said that Erickson would develop updated versions with the new MATRIX program. formId: "961fd2ef-9809-4ece-8b5d-30a0294633dc" [2] The helicopter is capable of refilling its entire tank of water in 45 seconds from a water slide 18in (46cm) thick.[3]. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Erickson Aircrane N173AC. Seven S-64E variants were built by Sikorsky for the civil market. The YouTube cameraman pulls away from the scene as the Airbus AS350 helicopter begins to spin wildly, but the aircraft is later seen spinning in circles on the ground for almost two minutes. American Bank chairman and CEO Bruce Erickson dies in helicopter crash American Bank chairman and CEO Bruce Erickson dies in helicopter crash Gazette Staff Nov 19, 2015 Updated Feb 7,. The crash occurred as Erickson, the pilot, was practicing landings, the Associated Press reported. The airport closed but reopened the next day. American Bank of Montana said in a statement: 'Bruce had a heart of gold with boundless energy, and his devotion toward community banking was unsurmountable. Our operational experience makes our manufacturing better and vice versa, whether its one of our birds, or one of yours. Lewis was the passenger. Rath pilots primarily aerial firefighting missions. 'As we mourn his loss, we are reminded to value the precious gift of life each and every day. from crashed cars to shipping containers off ships, and even putting research boats into Crater Lake, these are all possible. He added that within a Malaysian rescue effort, they flew a rhino or elephant to a new location. Ericksons father owned a logging company, which is how Jack came to be in the logging business. Privacy Policy/ This aircraft can lift air conditioners, antennas, and powerlines, he added. The 12 questions you NEED to ask before moving in with your partner, according to a relationship expert. To this day, our Aerosystems team is developing new ideas to get your job done right. Both the CH-54 A and B models inspired Sikorsky to create the E & F models of the Skycrane. erickson helicopter crash. By Christopher Brennan For Dailymail.com and Dailymail.com Reporter, Published: 07:06 GMT, 2 December 2015 | Updated: 08:23 GMT, 2 December 2015. American Bank chairman and CEO Bruce Erickson dies in helicopter crash Inside Matt Hancock's 41-hour battle to save his career when photo of 'a snog and heavy petting' with aide 'Arrested at the airport? He was in the air that morning to fulfill flight-time insurance requirements. We can also lift more than with the metal blades., Rath said that the F model can Carry more weight, which is good for construction and firefighting it carries more payload. He added, When I fly the F model, there is more capability depending upon what I am doing. Last Wednesday, pilot Timothy Bruce Lyons, 69, of Port Bolivar, Texas, died when the Erickson helicopter he was piloting crashed for unknown reasons in a heavily wooded area near Interstate 5 about 5 miles from the California border. Erickson Incorporated operates globally and has a fleet of 69 rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft including 20 S-64s. Over the years Erickson engineers converted various military aircraft for civilian use. hbspt.forms.create({ Is it a bird, a plane, a bug? The troubled action hero: Tom Sizemore boasted of affairs with Liz Hurley and Paris Hilton (which he had to What happens when classic cars sell for too much? [12] The following year the company reorganized into three business units: Commercial Aviation Services, Government Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and MRO. To make sure we route you to the right department, simply fill out the form below and tell us more about yourself. EXCLUSIVE: Florence Pugh's father is threatened with 2,500 fine as he goes to war with council over Oxford 'Why the last-minute delay?' We can integrate our full aerospace value stream, bringing our operational expertise to manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, maintenance, and research and development projects. WE ARE AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER (OEM), OPERATING AIRCRAFT IN CIVILIAN AND MILITARY MARKETS AND PROVIDING MRO SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS AROUND THE WORLD. Today, that company is the world . The Sikorsky S-64 was designed as an enlarged version of the prototype flying crane helicopter, the Sikorsky S-60. The fact is that the S-64 does have a broad reach of roles in the world, and at the same time, it has brand recognition. Erickson's main facility is located in the Southern Oregon community of Central Point. After 50 years of development, worldwide missions, and service, the S-64 is getting a facelift. Seeing the smoke rising from the fuselage, two Erickson Air Crane helicopters responded: N164AC, piloted by Don McLeod and Jeff Brenhaug; and N957AC, piloted by Jeff Shelton and Mike Strasser. Your designated expert will be ready to address your questions and explore solutions for your next project. Wayne Lewis. This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 10:09. All rights reserved. A Virginia State Police helicopter crashed Saturday in Albermale County, Virginia, near the city of Charlottesville, where a violent white nationalist rally was taking place. portalId: "21030106", formId: "961fd2ef-9809-4ece-8b5d-30a0294633dc" Erickson's judgment was impaired due to his use of a combination of prescription medicine, NTSB officials concluded. Helicopter History Site - www.helis.com hbspt.forms.create({ The Boeing helicopter could carry 20+ passengers, whereas the Skycrane has no fuselage and is not meant to carry passengers. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. ERICKSON PIONEERS HELI-LOGGING USING THE S-64 AIR CRANE HELICOPTER POUNDS OF WOOD CAN BE FLOWN IN AN 8 HOUR PERIOD AVERAGE CUBIC METERS FLOWN PER HELI-LOGGING AIRCRAFT FLOWN OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS FOR HELI-LOGGING Featured Clients Western Forest Products A & A Trading Nootka Sound Timber Co. Probyn Log Ltd. Western Forest Products An Erickson helicopter crashed Sunday in Australia. American Bank of Montana CEO Bruce Erickson, 65, and friend Wayne Lewis, 60, died in November crash in Carlsbad, California Federal accident report revealed Erickson had only bought the. Published: 16:46 GMT, 21 November 2015 | Updated: 19:01 GMT, 21 November 2015. On his third attempt, the pilot landed the helicopter partially on the pad again, and the aircraft once more began to rock back and forth repeatedly before it spun 180 degrees. They determined that they didnt want to continue to be the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Skycrane. The helicopter, which can hold 9,500 litres (2,500 US gal) of water or foam mix, has been brought out by the Victorian Government from the United States for each fire season since 2001-2002. Erickson Incorporated is an American aerospace manufacturing and aviation service provider based in Portland, Oregon, United States. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Tearful, Reed said the incident has left him and his family in a state of utter disbelief and denial. Norwegian investigators said a fatigue fracture in the main gearbox was the most likely cause of a fatal Airbus Helicopters H225 crash near on April 29th, and they said that the fracture propagated in a manner unlikely to be detected by existing mandatory or . Erickson (left) and Lewis (right) were both described as flight enthusiasts who will be deeply missed by those who knew them, Previous video released from the crash shows the aircraft going up in smoke after it span for minutes at the airport, Emergency responders rushed to the scene, though both the pilot and his friend died at the scene, Above, emergency workers look at the wreck after the fire was put out with foam. [4] The following year Erickson invented the anti-rotation device which stabilizes loads and provided for great performance and agility. [4], Data from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft[21], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. [4] 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 improvements to the airframe, instrumentation, and payload capabilities of the helicopter. Were numb. portalId: "21030106", We bring our operational expertise to your manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, maintenance and R&D projects. An example of helicopter gearbox failure causing a crash occurred in Norway in 2016. Sign up to stay informed on Ericksons latest innovations, case studies, and news updates all sent straight to your inbox. The S-64 had a six-blade main rotor and was powered by two 4,050 shaft horsepower (3,020kW) Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A turboshaft engines. Reed said Lewis was like a brother to him and his wife a man his children referred to as their uncle. Erickson has a 50-year history of manufacturing and maintaining helicopters. We regret the error and apologize to Lewis family for the mistake. He has also worked in private investment and general management for Honeywell and General Electric.[15][16][17]. call (503) 505-5800 Connect with an expert Tested and Trusted 5550 S Macadam Avenue, Suite 200 Portland, Oregon 97239 U.S.A. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Beware the TikTok Putin ally Razman Kadyrov 'is seriously ill with kidney problems' as Chechen warlord fears that he has been Will Vladimir Putin's empress pay the ultimate price for his war on the West? He was fun, positive, upbeat. Some of our major developments include starting the use of heavy-lift helicopters with tanks for firefighting, creating the anti-rotation device for airlift stabilization, and building helicopter guide systems for accurate delivery of materials. BRILLIANT!' You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This new technology allowed the company to begin building power line towers.[4]. Transported logs are moved to a landing area where loaders and skidders stack them up. Inside Matt Hancock's 41-hour battle to save his career when photo of 'a snog and heavy petting' with aide 'Arrested at the airport? I've had enough of life': Grandmother, 86, is reduced to tears after killjoy Tory Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers speaks out on his deep depression after chemotherapy which left him having Top equestrian rider, 39, once known as the 'golden girl' of horse eventing, is facing jail after being My boss is furious I didn't give my first class seat to her and left her stuck in economy - despite the fact How the 'cha cha' will do wonders for your bowel and cabbage juice is a miracle cure. This innovation reduced wear and tear on forest land because fewer trucks would have to creep up muddy and rough terrain to load massive logs. The San Diego County medical examiner's office said the helicopter's tail struck the ground during a landing Wednesday and it spun out of control Pieces of the aircraft were strewn about the runway. portalId: "21030106", Erickson Air-Crane. Erickson provides increased operational readiness and mission effectiveness, serviced by either Ericksons fleet or customer aircraft. Lyons was alone in the Bell 206 helicopter and took off from the Medford airport about 8:45 a.m. that day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. portalId: "21030106", He was just a phenomenal person, he said. The cause of death for both men was multiple internal injuries, according to the County Medical Examiner's Office. In commercial service, these helicopters found a life hauling logs, in an approach . The airport closed but reopened the next day. Privacy Policy/ He purchased three S-64 Skycranes from Sikorsky Aircraft and founded Erickson Air-Crane in December 1971. Heart-stopping moment 70mph train misses careless pedestrian by just INCHES as he strolls across tracks RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: As Florida governor and Donald Trump rival Ron DeSantis steps up his bid to win the CEO, real estate agent killed in Palomar helicopter crash | FOX5 San Diego San Diego news, weather, traffic, sports from KSWB, Do not sell or share my personal information. [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). The helipad was resecured by airport line-crew and Erickson attempted twice more to land the plane, to no avail. Your designated expert will be ready to address your questions and explore solutions for your next project. Interesting to note, one of the first inventions by Jack Erickson once obtaining the Skycrane was the fire tank which attaches to the body, where a fuselage would normally reside. So much so, that when Erickson got to the point where he thought, this is an amazing piece of equipment and I need more, he felt compelled to approach Sikorsky to buy the rights to manufacture new S-64 Air Crane helicopters, to make parts and support existing owners. Inside the lonely life of 'pavement killer': Neighbours reveal how 'childlike' disabled woman jailed for Find out what Uber drivers really think of you! He will be deeply missed by us and the entire real estate community,' Mary Lee Blaylock of his emplyer Berkshire Hathaway Home Services said. Baxter thinks the current aircraft are amazing, The size, precision placement with the aft seat is cool technology; the versatility with the fuselage to add items underneath; they are incredibly large helicopters; the magnitude of the lift is helpful.. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Ericksons Chief Pilot, Justin Rath said, Typically, a lot of Air Crane pilots come from the civilian, utility helicopter community, but we do have a handful of pilots that have transitioned over from the military quite successfully. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Over the last 50 years, Erickson Inc. has flown around the world, fighting fires, moving large equipment, and saving lives. The helicopter is seen very close to the ground, but then rocks back and forth before pitching forward. [4], The Evergreen purchase was financed partly with debt, and (together with challenging business conditions) caused Erickson to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2016 to reorganize while keeping the business running. Our entire fleet maintains an average of 95% operational readiness rate. He plunged headlong into what has now become a 50-year-old business. Video footage of a helicopter crash that killed its CEO pilot and his friend shows the terrifying moment the aircraft spun out of control as it was trying to land. Learn how Erickson deploys global innovative solutions alongside legacy aircraft to deliver efficient results for our partners and customers. Lewis, 60, of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, was the passenger killed alongside friend and pilot Bruce Allen Erickson, 65, of Rancho Santa Fe, Wednesday when their helicopter spun out of control and. June 22, 2022; Posted by lisa marie michael jackson; 22 . Our government customers receive an average of 50% improvement on ORR capability in comparison to our competition. 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. [9] Erickson then bought Brazil-based HRT Participaes em Petroleo's oil and gas unit, with the deal expected to be finalized in 2013. formId: "961fd2ef-9809-4ece-8b5d-30a0294633dc" It is more than fascinating it has gone from legacy to legendary! In 1992, Erickson Air-Crane purchased the type certification and manufacturing rights for the S-64 from Sikorsky.