The Erickson Air-Cranes are again here for the fire season. Funny looking helicopters but an amazing fire fighting tool.
For Val who likes the numbers:
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 (mph, 203 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 91 knots (mph, 169 km/h)
* Range: 200 nm (230 mi, 370 km) max fuel and reserves
* Service ceiling 9,000 ft (m)
* Rate of climb: 1,330 ft/min (6.75 m/s)
S-64 “E” or “F” model Aircrane in the Fire Suppression Configuration with the 2,650 gallon (10,000 litre) variable flow tank, “Hover Snorkel” 45-second refill hose, “Sea Snorkel” hydrofoil sea water ram scoop, and the “Water Cannon” 300 gpm (~1,136 lpm) horizontal stream delivery nozzle.
We've been getting about 4 of these out every year since 2001 to help with fires as required and the one that comes to Victoria every year is named "Elvis".
The way it came to be first used here was kind of cool. There was one out here for an air show in 1997. Fires broke out so it was suggested they demonstrate how good it was for real and it was deployed to two fires that season. They've been brought back ever since.
