Sikorsky S-64/H-54
Originally a Sikorsky Aircraft product, the type certificate and manufacturing rights were purchased from them by Erickson Air-Crane in 1992.
Type Description
Originally a Sikorsky Aircraft product, the type certificate and manufacturing rights were purchased from them by Erickson Air-Crane in 1992.
With a very basic "stick" fuselage configuration, the S-64 had very low empty weight to gross weight ratios, as low as .42 on the S-64F. This gave the aircraft outstanding performance, especially when not carrying a load. In fact, the S-64 set a number of FAI-ratified altitude and time-to-altitude records which still stand, including:
Time to climb to a height of 3000m (82.2 seconds) - 1972
Time to climb to a height of 6000m (178.9 seconds) - 1972
Time to climb to a height of 9000m (358 seconds) - 1971
Altitude with a 1000kg payload (9499m) - 1971
Altitude with a 2000kg payload (9595m) - 1971
Altitude with a 5000kg payload (7778m) - 1971
As of 2016, it also still holds the record for highest altitude in level flight (11,010 m, or 36,122 ft, set in 1971 in a CH-54B).
Other unofficial records include hovering at 9,595 m (31,480 ft) with a 22,000 kg (4,410 lb) payload, and hovering at 3,307 m (10,850 ft) with a 15,000 kg (33,075 lb) payload.
Milestones Associated with the Sikorsky S-64/H-54
November 4, 1971
S-64F/CH-54B Aircrane:
Highest altitude in level flight for a helicopter (Sikorsky S-64F/CH-54B)
