No Result
View All Result
AerialFire
  • Articles
    • Columns
    • Cover Stories
    • Drone/UAS
    • Feature Stories
    • Fire Regulations
    • Government
    • Ground Ops
    • Helicopter
    • International Operations
    • LAT
    • Press Release
    • Retardant
    • SEATs
    • Technology
    • VLAT
    • Wildfire
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Contact Us
Subscribe
AerialFire
  • Articles
    • Columns
    • Cover Stories
    • Drone/UAS
    • Feature Stories
    • Fire Regulations
    • Government
    • Ground Ops
    • Helicopter
    • International Operations
    • LAT
    • Press Release
    • Retardant
    • SEATs
    • Technology
    • VLAT
    • Wildfire
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Contact Us
Subscribe
AerialFire
No Result
View All Result
Home Aerial Fire News

Erickson S-64 Air Crane to Return to Australian Skies This Season

by Ryan Mason
October 20, 2021
in Aerial Fire News, Helicopter, International Operations, Press Release
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Victoria Unveils 2019/2020 Aerial Firefighting Fleet

The Erickson Air Crane will return to Australia this year, although with a much smaller footprint than previous years. In a statement distributed to AerialFire today, Kestrel Aviation, Erickson's Australian partner noted that only one Air Crane will be returning to Australia this year versus the previous several years contingents of six aircraft dispatched around the country. The statement from Kestrel Aviation read:

After providing exemplary aerial firefighting services to fire agencies around Australia for over two decades, the legendary Erickson S-64 Air Crane® helicopter will return as part of the country’s seasonal aerial firefighting fleet.

The S-64 Air Crane® helicopter is the world’s most proven type-1 high-volume helicopter which has a successful track record of operations in Australia and around the world.

Fitted with a 10,000-litre tank, the aircraft has the unique ability to refill its tank in 45-seconds from either fresh or saltwater sources thanks to its flexible hose snorkel or patented retractable hydrodynamic dive plane, a feature which has meant the Air Crane® has been the go-to versatile firebombing solution for fire agencies around the world.

“The Air Crane® is an iconic platform that has become synonymous with aerial firefighting in Australia thanks to the folklore that surrounded Elvis, the aircraft that was credited with saving the lives of fourteen firefighters in the Burragorang Valley in 2001” says Ray Cronin, Kestrel’s Managing Director. Continuing, “the aircraft provides leading availability, and has been extremely effective in Australia’s tough conditions. Whilst disappointed that we will see a reduction in the number of aircraft that will be based in Australia, we remain committed with Erickson to supporting the Air Crane® program in Australia.”

Elvis, named after the legendary singer who also served with the National Guard in Memphis where the aircraft was also based, last called Australia home in 2013 and continues to be a point of reference with the public for the orange giants of the sky. Over the past few seasons, Georgia Peach, Elsie, Jerry, Gypsy Lady, Marty, and Delilah had been deployed down under.

Kestrel Aviation and Erickson will continue their strong relationship in bringing the S-64 Air Crane® aircraft to our shores, seeing a return to the high-performance F-model aircraft and introducing the innovative composite main rotor blade program to Australia, a modification that sees increased lift capacity which will further increase this aircraft’s already impressive firebombing performance and maximum external cargo capacity of 11,340kg. Bubba (registration N163AC) will be based at Moorabbin Airport in Victoria from this year after being awarded a contract under the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) arrangements.

Since 1992, Erickson have held the type certificate for the S-64 Air Crane® helicopter, both E and F models, and have implemented over 4,000 innovative improvements to the original Sikorsky design which first flew in the early 1960’s and played an active role with the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

“We remain committed to supporting firefighters on the ground” says Brittany Black, Erickson’s SVP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Continuing “with seemingly longer periods of bushfire activity, having the right aircraft for the conditions is key to ensuring that fires can be contained before they spread. This is what Erickson has developed the Air Crane® helicopter to do – be the heavy hitter when it’s needed!”

The Erickson fleet has been busy since it departed Australia in April 2021, playing a significant part in the devastating and simultaneous fire activity that has impacted both North America and the Mediterranean regions of Europe during the northern summer.

“It has been a significant undertaking this year, however as a global leader in providing high-volume helicopters, we’ve been able to achieve a continuation of our industry leading levels of availability, which leads to having the S-64 Air Crane® helicopter ready when they’re needed.” comments Erick Nodland, Vice President of Operations.

The Air Crane® helicopter will form part of Kestrel’s wider domestically based fleet that includes its Bell Mediums, Black Hawk, and Super Puma aircraft placed in strategic locations in Victoria and New South Wales.

 

Tags: Aerial FirefightingAustralia BushfiresEricksonErickson Air CraneKestrel Aviation

Ryan Mason

Related Posts

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

by AerialFire Staff
May 28, 2025

ABBOTSFORD, CANADA (May 27, 2025) – Conair Group Inc. (Conair) has deployed two Daher TBM 960 Air Attack aircraft for...

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

by AerialFire Staff
May 27, 2025

● Simulator based on the complex S-64E helicopter, designed for specialized firefighting training. ● Equipped with complete ENWALL LED technology,...

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

by AerialFire Staff
May 23, 2025

Mosgiel, NZ, May 23, 2025 - Tabula, a leading provider of job management and fleet tracking solutions for aerial operations, has...

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

by AerialFire Staff
May 22, 2025

ALICANTE, Spain – May 22, 2025: Avincis, Europe’s leading provider of emergency aerial services, has been awarded new wildfire response...

Trending News

No Content Available
TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season
Press Release

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

by AerialFire Staff
May 28, 2025
Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters
Aerial Fire News

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

by AerialFire Staff
May 27, 2025
Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness
Aerial Fire News

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

by AerialFire Staff
May 23, 2025
Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft
International Operations

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

by AerialFire Staff
May 22, 2025
AerialFire

© 2025 AerialFire, a Marsayl Media Publication. All rights Reserved.

Navigate Site

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

© 2025 AerialFire, a Marsayl Media Publication. All rights Reserved.

Skip to content
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Readable FontReadable Font
  • Reset Reset