the s 64 building a legacy

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THE S-64
BUILDING A LEGACY
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Erickson began operating the S-64 in 1971, when it leased a Skycrane from Sikorsky
Aircraft and used it to revolutionize the aerial harvesting of timber. By 1992, with a full
fleet of S-64s moving towards obsolescence, Erickson realized it needed to gain control
of the aircraft’s future and purchased the Type Certificate from Sikorsky, starting on its
path to become one of the world’s leading specialists in legacy helicopter support.
As the OEM, Erickson effectively targeted systems, components and materials that were
scarce, unreliable or obsolete, gaining control of the supply chain as well as MRO and
technical support, and optimizing its services to provide worldwide support to Aircrane
operators.
From a commercial fleet of six S-64s flown in 1992, and the CH54 military versions being
phased out, the global fleet has grown to more than 40 Aircranes, thanks largely to
Erickson’s continued investment in engineering upgrades, modifications and
manufacturing capabilities.
By recently adding the Type Certificate for the JFTD12-4A powerplant to its name,
Erickson has further ensured the Aircrane is a sustainable and performing aircraft ready
to provide 40 more years of reliable, cost-effective and efficient operations.
LEADING YOUR LEGACY INTO THE FUTURE
Reinventing the Supply Chain
Faced with an inadequate S-64 supply chain, Erickson set up a strategically integrated
support solution to ensure business continuity, giving operators the confidence that
they can continue to operate their fleet. This required the development of a large scale
in-house manufacturing capability to produce complex and hard to find parts and
sub-assemblies, new supplier agreements with nimble partners, and optimized supply
sources to achieve economies of scale.
Furthermore, Erickson used its design engineering resources to develop or re-design
products with increased reliability, greater availability and lower costs, while at the same
time maintaining the highest quality standards.
Bringing instrumentation up to date
Beginning in the mid-90s, Erickson designed and updated avionics for the
S-64, including glass cockpit displays for primary flight information and engine monitoring.
In addition to reducing pilot workload by presenting aircraft information more clearly, the
upgrade eliminated the complications of repairing and maintaining expensive, and
sometimes soon to be obsolete, analog instruments. Since then, numerous upgrades
have enhanced the supportability and reliability of these systems. This included the
design, certification and installation of a new autopilot flight control system, which
modernized the entire avionics system, replacing obsolete, non-supportable components
with a modern dual stage system, featuring an Erickson-designed computer and newly
certified ADHAR units. This enhancement increased system reliability by 50%, improved
control effectiveness of the aft pilot station, and resolved regulatory issues that previously
restricted the S-64’s use as a construction platform over populated areas.
ERICKSON MRO LEADING YOUR LEGACY INTO THE FUTURE
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THE S-64 BUILDING LEGACY
New composite rotor blades
As the original designer of the aluminium main and tail rotor blades for the S-64, Erickson
built on its experience and began the design and fabrication of a new-technology
composite main rotor blade. By utilizing modern design and manufacturing techniques,
Erickson set out to produce a blade that was robust, safe, but also supportable and
cost-effective.
Versions of the new rotor blade are currently being certified for all models of the Aircrane,
in both commercial and restricted categories. Benefits are expected to include higher lift
capacity in almost all flight conditions, including a greater than 3,000-lb lift increase at hot
and high conditions, a 33% lower manufacturing cost, 75% lower maintenance costs
and 3% lower fuel consumption.
Supporting the mission
Erickson has designed, certified and installed a wide range of mission-specific products
for S-64 customers. These include a world-class firefighting tank, a foam cannon, a
dynamic sea snorkel, an anti-rotation device, and a hydro seed delivery system. All were
designed and built entirely by Erickson with one objective in mind: enable S-64 operators
to perform their missions more effectively.
TAKING THE LEGACY FORWARD
Over the last 40 years, Erickson has built on its experience as the Aircrane OEM, as the
leading Aircrane operator, and as a legacy MRO service provider, to develop a robust,
proven and fully integrated support capability. Perfected on the S-64 over the past 20
years, that capability has focused on what matters most to legacy helicopter operators;
safety, lower direct operating costs, greater aircraft reliability and availability, greater
mission capabilities, and of course, optimal business continuity.
Erickson is now applying its legacy support capability to other legacy platforms, with a
comprehensive range of MRO capabilities, supply chain management expertise,
component manufacturing and reliability or design engineering services.
All too often owners and operators of what are still solid and viable legacy platforms are
facing the difficulties that Erickson experienced with the Aircrane, with poor support and
failing supply chains that threaten the efficiency of their assets and the sustainability of
their operations.
But rest assured. Erickson’s experience, custom built supply chains, and vertically
integrated capabilities are available and committed to lead your legacy forward into the
future.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
www.ericksonaviation.com
+1 503 505 5800
5550 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97239, USA
© 2015 Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated. All rights reserved.
ERICKSON MRO LEADING YOUR LEGACY INTO THE FUTURE
EAC has practiced comprehensive
reliability engineering over the last
decade resulting in significant
component reliability improvements.
Examples include:
Increased S-64F MGB ATI by
over 100% through design changes
and overhaul process improvements.
Reduced frequency of in-flight
engine shutdown by 75% by
implementing multiple improvements
such as fuel control redesign, airframe
fuel filter installations, compressor build
standard enhancements, engine failure
audio system, and development of fuel
lubricity specifications.
Reduced S-64F compressor
DMC costs by 30% by developing
overhaul criteria based on rigorous
analysis of individual part reliability/cost
curves while implementing safety
inspection requirements.
Increased reliability of S-64E
MRB reliability by 200% by
developing and implementing
improved metal bonding processes.
Increased reliability of S-64
TRB by almost 500% by
redesigning the trailing edge joint,
designing new assembly fixture, and
developing improved assembly
procedures.